Westmont, Ill., Aug. 2, 2010 –IMR Inc. announces it has renewed its partnership with the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and will continue to serve as the primary sponsor of the “Automotive Aftermarket Status Report” for the 2010-2011 publication, providing access to its entire Continuing Consumer Automotive Maintenance Survey (CCAMS), as well as supplying data for the do-it-yourself (DIY) analysis that is contained within the report.

“The ‘AASA Automotive Aftermarket Status Report’ is a top source for current statistics and analysis of the trends shaping the aftermarket, and as the premier source of automotive research in the industry, IMR is honored to be a part of this publication,” said Bill Thompson, president and CEO. “Our CCAMS information provides IMR’s subscribers with insight into their customers and their competitors. With IMR data, they’ll know who is purchasing their products and services, what channels and outlets within the channel they purchase from, why these outlets are chosen, how they compare to the competition and when in the vehicle life cycle they get their business. This valuable information will help them make smarter, more profitable business decisions.”

“IMR’s contributions to the ‘AASA Automotive Aftermarket Status Report’ continue to enhance the value of this comprehensive, in-depth market analysis of the aftermarket industry,” said Steve Handschuh, president and COO of AASA. “Our members, the full service automotive aftermarket suppliers, rely on the accurate, reliable data provided in this important AASA publication and we appreciate IMR’s support.”

CCAMS is a nationally-representative study of vehicle maintainers and vehicles in operation in the United States. It details the parts replaced and services performed on those vehicles, as well as contains consumer buying dynamics, including what types of vehicle maintenance purchases they are making, what type of vehicles they own, why they select their outlet/retailer of choice, when do consumers purchase from new car dealers versus the traditional aftermarket, and how often parts fail.

In addition to the AASA Status Report, IMR will be a sponsor of AASA’s Vision Conference, which will be held on March 30, 2011 in Rosemont, Ill.

IMR helps aftermarket companies achieve competitive advantages by providing detailed consumer, repair shop and technician demographics and purchasing trends; sheds light into their competitors' strengths and weaknesses; and delivers data that brings them closer to their customers, distribution channels and market opportunities.

The “AASA Automotive Aftermarket Status Report,” slated for release in the fall of 2010, provides automotive aftermarket professionals access to valuable information about international parts markets, unperformed maintenance in North American markets and the replacement rates of aftermarket components all on one CD in searchable electronic formats. The CD also will include “World Motor Vehicle Market Report,” one of the industry’s oldest and most respected global statistical analyses and the recognized resource of international automotive and heavy duty market information, and “Replacement Rates of U.S. Automotive Parts 2009,” the handy table showing the percentage of private vehicles receiving specified maintenance, which can be used to calculate product durability, market size estimates and service job variables. More information about the “AASA Automotive Aftermarket Status Report” is available at www.aftermarketsuppliers.org.

About IMR Inc.:
Headquartered in Westmont, Ill., IMR Inc. has been an industry leader in automotive research since 1975. IMR Inc. conducts syndicated and proprietary market research studies that focus on automotive parts and services, repair shops, technicians, accessories and vehicle technology trends. IMR research is frequently referenced in industry association fact books and status reports and industry magazines.  For more information, call 800-654-1079, e-mail Info@AutomotiveResearch.com or visit www.AutomotiveResearch.com.