Westmont, Ill., March 16, 2009 –IMR Inc., the premier source of automotive research, announces the availability of its new Repair Shop Tool & Equipment Tracking Study that focuses on tool and equipment purchases. The data provides a deep and thorough understanding of the tool and equipment purchasing habits of automotive repair shops on a month-to-month basis.  This tracking study currently has three years of trendable data and will continue to build on that base in the months to come.

The study is conducted among 5,460 shop managers using a representative sample of repair shops in the United States. It provides documentation of tool and equipment buying habits in terms of types of tools purchased, usage of diagnostic tools, amount spent on tool and equipment purchases and future purchase intentions.

“Gaining an understanding of what motivates and influences the purchasing decisions of automotive repair shops are the keys to building brand loyalty and making smarter business decisions,” said Bill Thompson, president and CEO. “IMR’s new tool and equipment tracking study provides invaluable insight that will allow users to communicate more effectively with their customers, and target their marketing dollars where they can do the most good.”

The new Repair Shop Tool and Equipment Tracking Study is available for purchase by contacting IMR Inc. at 1-800-654-1079 or by visiting their Web site at www.AutomotiveResearch.com.

IMR helps aftermarket companies and OEMs 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. IMR’s vast depth of research results, stretching back many years, provides trendable, statistically reliable data that is broad and deep enough to withstand detailed querying to get to the root of the most demanding questions.

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.