Last September, Web-Est conducted a survey among auto collision
shops to determine the effects of the economy on their collision
repair business and the auto collision industry in general. With an
economic downturn seemingly leveling off, but with the unemployment
rate still as high as 9%, Web-Est re-conducted a similar survey,
with shops asked to share their opinion on the state of the
economy. Conducted between July 7 and July 16, over 1,300 shops
were invited to participate, with 70% of them identifying
themselves as having 3 employees or fewer.
The most significant change in the survey compared to last
September was measures by the government to help the economy, which
respondents carried overwhelmingly negative views of. When asked if
efforts by Congress and the federal government have helped auto
collision industry (through Recovery Act/Stimulus Bill, Auto
Bailout, Troubled Assets Relief Program, etc.) 87% said it has not
helped the industry at all. Another important finding from the
survey was individual respondent's view of their volume of business
compared to the previous six months. Of the shops surveyed, 42%
believe that their volume of business is worse than the last six
months; while 26% believe it is about the same and 36% believing it
has improved. Those who say their volume of business is worse off
saw a 20% jump when compared to the survey taken in September
2009.
Please see below for all the results of the survey:
Compared to the last six months, how would you describe your
current volume of business (repairs/sales)?
Frequency Analysis
Answer Percent
1. About The Same 26.00%
2. Slightly Improved 14.00%
3. Improved 16.00%
4. Greatly Improved 2.00%
5. Worse 42.00%
5How many staff members does your shop currently employ?
Frequency Analysis
Answer Percent
1. 1 28.00%
2. 2 16.00%
3. 3 26.00%
4. 4 12.00%
5. 5 10.00%
6. 6 8.00%
Does your shop conduct any internet marketing activity to bring
in new business (i.e. marketing on Google, Bing or Yahoo)?
Frequency Analysis
Answer Percent
1. Yes 34.04%
2. No 65.96%
How much does your shop spend on advertising?
Frequency Analysis
Answer Percent
1. $0 8.33%
2. $0-$100 14.58%
3. $100-$200 14.58%
4. $200-$300 8.33%
5. $300-$400 6.25%
6. $400-$500 4.17%
7. $500-$600 6.25%
8. $600+ 37.50%
For those using a Direct Repair Program, are you satisfied with
the work provided?
Frequency Analysis
Answer Percent
1. Yes 35.29%
2. No 64.71%
Do you think the efforts by the Congress and the federal
government have helped the state of the collision repair industry?
(i.e. Recovery Act/Stimulus Bill, Auto Bailout, Troubled Assets
Relief Program, etc.)
Frequency Analysis
Answer Percent
1. Has helped significantly 4.08%
2. Has helped some, but not enough to directly impact the
collision repair industry 8.16%
3. Has not helped the collision repair industry at all 87.76%
In your opinion, when do you thing business will improve to
pre-economic conditions?
Frequency Analysis
Answer Percent
1. Has Already Returned 6.25%
2. By the End of 2010 2.08%
3. Early 2011 6.25%
4. Mid 2011 12.50%
5. Late 2011 33.33%
6. Never 39.58%
