“Puffing” Cars vs. Remote Starters – Alta Mere’s Remote Car Starters Provide Vehicle Safety During chilly winter months, it is common for car owners to warm their vehicles while leaving their keys in the ignition and returning inside for several minutes. However, this practice which is commonly known as “puffing”, has led to a dramatic increase in auto theft. A study released last year by the National Insurance Crime Bureau showed a total of 126,603 cars were reported stolen with the keys in vehicle from 2012 to 2014. As a result, many states such as Texas, Maryland, Ohio, Colorado, West Virginia, Wisconsin and South Carolina have made it illegal to leave a car unattended with the key in the ignition. Officials in these states have seen this occurrence lead to an increase in auto theft that can also result in high-speed chases and get-away cars for burglaries. In an attempt to ... read more

We’ve seen a rise in the overall automotive aftermarket industry in recent years. But an interesting trend within the automotive accessories market is the rise of customers purchasing 12-volt products for their vehicles. Concerned parents, especially, are leading the charge in purchasing products, such as backup safety cameras and remote starters. Backup safety cameras and other safety products for vehicles have seen a steady rise in recent years. As costs for these accessories have fallen, customers are finding their benefits even more attractive. These cameras help drivers reduce their blind spots while backing up by an average of 90 percent. This, in turn, helps customers avoid collisions in parking lots, driveways and on the road every day. For working parents especially, the ability to have an extra set of eyes for safe ... read more

The business of automotive sales and automotive repairs is often seasonal, revolving around major holidays and sales. But what about the aftermarket auto industry? Has it been growing in the past few years, and where will it be going in the future? We’re here to answer the question. Has the automotive aftermarket industry grown? The short answer is yes. But there’s more to it than that. In 2014, the industry grew 2.5 percent, which was just another year of sustained growth since the economy began to recover after the recent recession. As consumers hold on to cars for longer, it has created a sweet spot for services, repairs and aftermarket accessories to keep those cars running well and looking good for a long time. Will the aftermarket industry continue to grow? According to the 2014 Join Channel Forecast Model, the automotive afte ... read more