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By Clifford Auto Parts
In today's automotive market, more vehicle owners are focusing on preventive maintenance rather than waiting for major repairs. With the cost of new vehicles continuing to rise, drivers are looking for ways to extend the lifespan of their current cars, trucks, and SUVs.
This shift is creating new opportunities across the automotive aftermarket.
The Cost of Waiting Too Long
Many vehicle failures don't happen overnight. Worn brake pads, aging belts, failing water pumps, and deteriorating suspension components often show warning signs long before they cause serious problems.
Ignoring these signs can turn a relatively inexpensive repair into a costly breakdown. For example, replacing a worn timing belt is far less expensive than repairing engine damage caused by a belt failure.
As consumers become more aware of long-term ownership costs, preventive maintenance is gaining greater attention.
Technology Is Helping Drivers Stay Ahead
Modern vehicles are equipped with sensors and monitoring systems that can alert drivers to maintenance needs before a major issue develops. Oil life monitors, tire pressure sensors, battery monitoring systems, and diagnostic alerts help vehicle owners address problems early.
This has increased demand for replacement parts that support routine maintenance and scheduled service intervals.
Benefits for Vehicle Owners
Preventive maintenance offers several advantages:
Improved vehicle reliability Better fuel efficiency Reduced repair costs over time Increased resale value Enhanced safety on the road Many drivers are realizing that regular maintenance is one of the smartest investments they can make in their vehicles.
Growing Opportunities for the Aftermarket
As more consumers prioritize maintenance, demand continues to grow for filters, brake components, suspension parts, ignition components, cooling system parts, and other wear-and-tear items.
Repair shops and parts suppliers that educate customers about maintenance schedules can build stronger relationships while helping vehicle owners avoid unexpected breakdowns.
Looking Ahead
The trend toward longer vehicle ownership is unlikely to slow down anytime soon. As vehicles remain on the road for more years, preventive maintenance will play an even greater role in keeping them safe, reliable, and cost-effective.
For the automotive aftermarket, this represents a significant opportunity to support drivers through quality parts, expert advice, and reliable service.
Do you think today's drivers are becoming more proactive about maintenance, or are most still waiting until something breaks? Share your experience below.
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By Counterman
The
link hidden, please login to view (AACF) announced that more than $70,000 was raised during the Independent Midas Dealers Association (IMDA) Convention & Trade Show 2026, held April 19 to 21 in Savannah, Georgia, as Midas celebrated its 70th anniversary. This marked the second consecutive year AACF was the event’s official charity. Support from Midas and IMDA members highlights the commitment within the aftermarket industry to care for its own.
Midas and IMDA Support for AACF
“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support from Midas and the IMDA community in welcoming AACF back for a second year,” said John Kairys, executive director of AACF. “The opportunity to be part of this event and connect directly with franchisees, leadership and partners is invaluable. It speaks volumes about the culture of this organization and the genuine commitment to supporting one another across the industry.”
AACF Booth, Donations and Prize Drawings
Throughout the event, IMDA members, franchisees, suppliers and corporate partners visited the AACF booth to learn more about the foundation’s mission, contribute donations, and participate in prize drawings. The event also provided a platform for AACF leadership to connect directly with those who make up the Midas network.
Kairys joined Jeff Genuario, incoming IMDA president, and Adam Stranik, outgoing IMDA president, on stage to share the foundation’s impact and highlight real stories of individuals and families supported through AACF. “As we celebrate 70 years of Midas, it’s important to recognize the people behind our success,” said Genuario. “Supporting AACF allows us to extend that commitment beyond the shop and into the lives of our teammates and their families when they need it most.”
Stranik added, “The automotive aftermarket is built on strong relationships, and
link hidden, please login to view plays a critical role in supporting those within our industry facing unexpected hardship. We’re proud to continue this partnership and to see the incredible generosity of IMDA members make a real difference.” Funds to Support Aftermarket Professionals and Families
The funds raised during the event will directly support aftermarket professionals and their families facing life-changing challenges such as medical emergencies, natural disasters and catastrophic events.
“The generosity shown throughout this event speaks volumes about the character of this industry, and partnering with AACF allows us to extend that support beyond the shop and into the lives of those who need it most,” said Lenny Valentino Jr., Midas president and COO. “Our commitment doesn’t end here,” he continued. “We’ll continue supporting AACF and the people who depend on it today and always.”
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By NAPA
NHRA Rookie of the Year contender Maddi Gordon made her presence known Sunday at the NHRA Gatornationals when she raced to a semifinal finish at Gainesville Raceway. Gordon piloted her
link hidden, please login to view Top Fuel dragster out of the Ron Capps Motorsports camp to round wins over two of the most accomplished drivers in class history before tire smoke ended her run at the opening race of the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. She leaves Gainesville ranked fourth in the points standings.
Gordon was the first Top Fuel driver to hit the track in Friday qualifying. Just a couple hours after announcing a multi-year major associate partnership with Monster Energy, Gordon posted a 3.861-second pass at 319.29 mph to take the provisional No. 11 position. She stepped up to a 3.793 E.T. at 321.35 mph in the Friday night session and ended the day in the No. 15 spot. On Saturday, Gordon encountered tire smoke on her third qualifying attempt but came back with a consistent 3.797 E.T. at 328.06 mph in the final qualifying session. It was the quickest pass of the round, netting Gordon three bonus points. She solidified the No. 15 slot going into race day and became the 591st driver and the 23rd woman to qualify for an NHRA Top Fuel field.
In her first-ever Top Fuel competition round, Gordon lined up against No. 2 qualifier and former world champion Shawn Langdon, who was recently named to NHRA’s Top 75 Drivers list. Crew chief Rob Flynn guided Gordon to her quickest pass of the event, a 3.762 E.T. at 334.48 mph, to get past a tire-smoking Langdon. The competition didn’t get any easier for Gordon, as she went on to face the winningest driver in the history of the class, eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, when Top Fuel returned to the starting line for the quarterfinals. Gordon powered to a 3.783 E.T. at 331.53 mph to defeat Schumacher and his 3.863 E.T. That sent Gordon to the semifinals and earned her a spot in the first Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge of the season, which will take place during Saturday qualifying at the NHRA Arizona Nationals.
The semifinals brought another battle of youth versus experience as Gordon faced her third “Top 75” driver, two-time and reigning world champion Doug Kalitta. Gordon started hazing the tires early and had to lift off the throttle as Kalitta advanced with his quickest pass of the day.
“That was just a really, really good weekend,” said Gordon, who became the 100th woman to win an NHRA national event when she drove her family’s Top Alcohol Funny Car to victory at the 2024 NHRA Northwest Nationals. “Of course, we all want to win the race, but I couldn’t have asked for much more in my debut. It was so cool to line up against Shawn in the first round. Rob was confident that the car would get down the track. When I heard (Langdon) blow the tires off in the other lane, I seriously spoke out loud, ‘That wasn’t me! We’re still going!’ Seeing that first win light was insane. I actually started to lose my voice after that one. It’s just been an amazing weekend.”
Gordon’s rookie campaign will continue at the NHRA Arizona Nationals, March 20-22, at Firebird Motorsports Park near Phoenix.
Start / Finish: No. 15 / def. in semifinals
Points Standing / Total: 4th / 74 pts. (-53)
Next Race: March 20-22, NHRA Arizona Nationals, Chandler, Ariz.
How to Watch or Listen: FS1,
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By Counterman
Being a part of your local community is one of the most rewarding benefits of operating any business. Our individual operations certainly take up most of our time and attention, family and other obligations occupy another significant portion, but many of us also manage to carve out the time and energy to share a part of ourselves with the people and organizations that make a ZIP code into a genuine community.
From serving as school or other organizational board members, coaching local youth sports, or being an active member of your church, friends and neighbors might come to know you both personally and professionally, and your business is often a reflection of those values you already hold dear. As a business, we are also often called upon for financial contributions to a variety of charities, benefits and other generally good causes. The larger the business model, the more these requests roll in, and “the asks” are also generally more substantial.
For any automotive business, there are also many requests from members of your local grassroots racing community seeking “sponsorship” for their individual racing interests. These come in many forms, from racers looking to obtain a discounted rate on parts purchases to financially supporting their teams over the course of a season, usually in return for some sort of advertising on the car. On the surface, these requests might seem no different than sponsoring a Little League team or donating items for a benefit auction. Look a bit deeper, though, and you may realize that these racing “sponsorships” really need to be more of a “partnership” to make financial sense
Too often, a “sponsorship opportunity,” as presented, is a one-sided request, with the team simply seeking assistance in pursuing their dream of competing in motorsports. In exchange for your merchandise or funding, you get… a sticker! When asked just what kind of return on investment you can expect from your sponsorship, the answer is very often stunned silence. If the answer is “free advertising,” then we must truly consider the value of
that advertising.
Most of us have an advertising budget, and use a variety of media to get individual messages out in front of potential customers. It is already increasingly difficult to connect with consumers using traditional print, radio and television advertising. Streaming services and satellite radio both allow consumers to avoid advertisements, and newspaper readership has been declining steadily for years. Having your company name on the fender of a car in front of a few hundred people on a Saturday night might seem like a decent investment, but this kind of individual sponsorship is dependent upon several variables. Failures, successes, team or driver reputations, and even the team’s ability to compete regularly can vastly affect the value of your investment. If you choose to pursue business relationships with individual drivers or teams, think carefully about how those relationships will be mutually beneficial to each party.
Being associated with the racing community is a great way to connect with your existing clientele, and to keep your name in front of those who might use your services in the future. To maximize your advertising efforts, consider spreading the wealth in a more effective way than through a series of smaller individual sponsorships.
Advertising at the track itself is a great way to participate without relying on being associated with the most popular or successful team. A trackside billboard is a literal sign of your support for the racing scene, visible no matter which cars are on-track during the various practices, heat races and features. Sponsoring a particular racing class, offering a contingency payment in return for displaying your decals, or even holding a special event on track night, all benefit more than just a few individuals, and partnerships like these also build relationships with the local track operators and their extended network of supporters.
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By Counterman
Every shop owner knows that keeping up with technology is no longer optional. From ADAS calibrations to the latest diagnostics, change is constant. Training is how independent shops stay ahead. That’s why industry veterans like Kathleen Callahan, owner of
link hidden, please login to view in Englewood, Florida, and Bernard Tansey, co-founder and COO of link hidden, please login to view in Santa Clara, California, make AAPEX a must-attend event each year. Tansey says the return on investment from AAPEX training goes far beyond the classroom. “Every time you’re there, every year there’s something new,” he explains. “We always come back with these new golden nuggets and like, ‘Hey guys,this new system’s coming out or this new tool is coming out.’ It also amps the staff. They see that we care about what they’re doing. We want to make their lives easier.’”
For Callahan, the event is equally valuable on the management side. “I love the fact that we can go to
link hidden, please login to view and see the new technologies that are coming out,” she says. “Where else in the world can you go and talk to 15 20 or 30 different vendors? The amount of knowledge and the amount of different manufacturers and trainers and distributors in one place is unmatched in any other conference.” Tackling All of The Training
When it comes to training strategy, both Callahan and Tansey treat AAPEX like a classroom for the whole shop. “One of the things that I look at is if I’m bringing my staff, we might split up to divide and conquer,” Tansey says. “I’ll send these two to one class because they’re our A techs. My other team I might send to a different class. I might even jump into a class just so I have the content and we can all share this data together.”
Callahan approaches it with the same mindset, focusing on sessions that deliver real-world results. “You really have to have a return on your investment,” she says. “No matter what position you hold within the industry, there is something at AAPEX for you or that you can bring back to your shop that will benefit the entire team.”
Tansey agrees that the key is relevance. “Just because something may sound really cool, ask yourself: are you ever going to use that information?” he says. “There may be something where they’re talking about truck air brakes. That’s awesome, but we don’t work on them. Could your time be better useful in a course that you’re going to take back and actually make a positive change with?”
Both shop owners are looking forward to the
link hidden, please login to view, from customer service and employee engagement to mental health and leadership. As Callahan puts it, “Training keeps you sharp, your team engaged, and your business moving forward. That’s why AAPEX is such a valuable experience.” In today’s aftermarket, it’s not enough to train to keep up. You have to train to stay ahead. Watch the video for more
link hidden, please login to view training insight from Callahan and Tansey.
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