What is a good estimate of sales in North America of cargo management
accessories for automobiles and light trucks?

(Cargo management accessories defined as: hitch & roof mounted racks,
cargo carriers, ski racks, bicycle racks, tie downs.)

Major companies in this business are: SportRack (Advanced Accessories
Systems), Steelhorse, WeatherTech, Saddleman, Allen Racks, Keeper,
Thule, Yakima.

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Request for Question Clarification by claudietta-ga on 25 Sep 2002 17:55 PDT

Dear Automotive,

I've found the information you want but only for light trucks (which
includes SUVs and vans, apparently). Perhaps you know the composition
of car to light trucks in the US, and can make an intelligent estimate
from the light truck information.

Let me know if this information would satisfy your request.  

Claudietta

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Clarification of Question by automotive-ga on 27 Sep 2002 12:31 PDT

Claudietta,

I would be interested in the information, even if it's only for light
trucks...but the problem I have is that the published market research
reports I've seen so far (e.g., Frost and Sullivan) don't break down
the accessory categories in a way that's consistent with "Cargo
Management." They have additional categories...and they are also
missing some components, like sport racks.

If you have research from a different source, but the "Cargo
Management" component is defined correctly, I'm interested.

Regards,

Tom aka "Mr. Automotive"

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Request for Question Clarification by claudietta-ga on 27 Sep 2002 14:51 PDT

Dear Tom,

I found US 1998, 1999 actual figures (and 2000-05 estimates)for three
categores: bed accessories, running boards/steps, and cargo devices.
Bed Accessories included bedliners, soft and hard tonneaus and truck
caps: Cargo devices includes tool boxes and over-head truck and van
racks. [note: SUVs are apparently light trucks]  Source: Frost &
Sullivan, 1999, as quoted in industry articles.  (in other words, I
don't have the actual Frost and Sullivan reports).

From reading industry articles, I also got figures for "racks and
towing" market, light truck aftermarket accessories, and can also
supply you with additional figures that may be of interest.

Let me know if this would suffice,
Claudietta

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Request for Question Clarification by claudietta-ga on 27 Sep 2002 14:53 PDT

...to be clear, I do have the actual sales of cargo devices, as devifined above.

Claudietta

Dear Tom,

The light truck cargo market is approximately $440m/yr.  It is
projected to grow to $670m/yr by 2005.  The original data originates
from Frost & Sullivan, as indicated in the original article.
-----------------------------------------------
Selected light truck accessories aftermarket
forecast, 1998-2005

Year       Bed          Running        Cargo
       Accessories   Boards/steps     Devices
       ($ million)   ($ million)    ($ million)
1998     596.2          160.1          404.5
1999     635.9          180.0          439.1
2000     673.6          199.1          478.9
2001     709.5          219.9          526.7
2002     744.6          240.3          554.1
2003     778.6          254.1          592.1
2004     811.4          267.9          629.0
2005     841.7          281.6          673.0

Bed Accessories included bedliners, soft and hard tonneaus
and truck caps: Cargo devices includes tool boxes and
over-head truck and van racks

Source: Aftermarket Business; Big wheels just keep on rolling...US
market size of light trucks by unit shipments for 1998, 1999 and
forecast 2000 to 2005, page 52+; March 2000
-------------------------------------------------
Here's an excerpt that may help you out in gauging the cargo market.

"...Across all demographic groups, $1.6 billion in manufacturer
dollars was spent outfitting SUVs and light trucks last year.

Market research firm Frost & Sullivan reported the market for light
truck accessories, such as bed liners, hood shields and grill guards,
rose 9.6% over 1997.

Bed accessories grabbed the largest share of purchases, at 37%, while
cargo devices were also popular, followed by running boards. The
report, released in June, indicated light truck sales growth of 7.8%
fueled some of the accessory mania, as did the fact that trucks have
become the vehicle of choice for Boomers, the largest consumer group
in North America."

Source: Discount Store News; What's hot: SUV/truck accessories, With
SUV/Truck sales rising the sales of SUV accessories hit $1.6 bil last
year; page 19; August 23, 1999

------------------------------------------

On total automobile sales and market share: 

"For the U.S. automotive industry, the year 2001 was the best of
times--well, the second best--and the worst of times. Only 2000, at
17.5 million, tops last year's sales tally of 17.1 million new, light
vehicles delivered. Still, it was an unforgettable period with more
peaks and valleys than a roller coaster.
...
Trucks trounced cars for the first time last year, grabbing about 51%
of the market. The extra boost came largely from car-based SUVs, or
cross utility vehicles, such as Honda's CRV and Ford's Escape. Per
Ward's, crossover vehicle sales increased by 471,000 units to surpass
the I million mark, an 87% gain over 2000."

Source: Brandweek; A year of firsts in an age of belt tightening.
(Automobiles)
US automobile industry posted 2001 sales of 17.1 mil; page S20(3);
June 17, 2002

--------------------------------
For more information on the automobile industry, look into
Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association -
http://www.aftermarket.org/Home.asp
Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada
http://www.aiamc.com/
Automotive Industry Action Group Association - http://www.aiag.org/

I hope this answers your question, and please let me know if I can
clarify anything.

Thank you for using Google!
Claudietta