This year, in the context of the economic environment and the overall unfavorable environment of the auto market, the pressure in the automotive-related market has increased dramatically and it has also been presented in a euphemistic state. Although the overall market price is stable, parts and auto supplies are used in raw materials, labor and logistics. Under such multiple pressures, it was finally difficult to resist and the price increase was quite obvious. The ups and downs in the automobile aftermarket have directly affected the owner’s car-raising costs.
Tire sets off a new wave of price increases
In the first half of the year, tire companies have conducted a large-scale collective price adjustment. As early as February, Hankook Tire had a slight increase in the prices of tire products sold in the Chinese market, ranging from 5% to 8%; in March, Bridgestone announced adjustments to the prices of its branded car tires and truck tires. The price increase ranged from 3% to 5%. At the same time, Continental Group, which produces horse brand tires, also announced a price increase for tire products in the first quarter of this year. The relevant person in charge of Goodyear said that the company had followed market changes in April this year and raised the price of some products. Since June, Michelin (China) has increased the price of replacement tires for passenger cars and light trucks, with price increases ranging from 3% to 7%.
Not long ago, some tire brands carried out a second price adjustment. United States Goodyear recently announced that: September 1st, Goodall's all brands have increased prices by 10%. Prior to this, Bridgestone (China) Investment Co., Ltd. announced that it will adjust the sales price of its branded tires from August to August. The price increase ranged from 7% to 10%. At this point, Bridgestone's gains have reached 10% to 15% during the year. It is not difficult to see that the new round of price increase for tires has become even greater, clearly surpassing the slight price adjustment in the first half of the year.
Regarding the reasons for the price increase of tires, tire companies have stated that the market price of natural rubber, the main raw material for tires, continues to rise. At the same time, the prices of petroleum and its derivatives, including synthetic rubber and carbon black, have also been operating at historically high levels, and cost pressures have forced Tire companies have chosen price increases.
The overall price of lubricants
Prices are not limited to tires. Shell, Exxon, Mobil and other companies have announced that they will increase the price of lubricants from September 1, due to rising costs of base oils, additives, packaging materials, and transportation costs. Most of the upward adjustment will exceed 10%. Prior to this, many other lubricant manufacturers, including PetroChina, had already raised their prices first, which generally exceeded 10%.
For the owner, the use of lubricating oil is more common, and it also has a direct impact on the cost of the car. According to relevant sources, the use of yellow hull lubricants as an example, this month from the retail price rose by 10 yuan per barrel. With the average annual maintenance of the vehicle owner four or five times, if the owner is to buy their own oil to repair the maintenance shop, one year will spend more than 50 yuan before the price increase. If the owner goes to the 4S shop for maintenance, or if the owner of the car is more upscale, the lubricant with higher grade will be selected and the cost will be higher.
Why auto parts contrarian prices
The entire street is the information of the vehicle price reduction, only the auto parts do not fall. This makes many consumers worry about. According to industry insiders, since spare parts purchases account for an average of 70% to 80% of the entire vehicle, the profit loss caused by the auto market price war is actually mostly shared by the upstream parts suppliers. On the other hand, the increase in the prices of raw materials such as steel and petroleum this year has caused even more complaints from spare parts companies.
According to analysis by industry insiders, most of the automotive-related products use crude oil as their main raw material, and because of the large proportion of imports, they are highly dependent on logistics. As a result, international crude oil prices have remained high and logistics costs have skyrocketed. Under the background, the increase of about 10% has not really reached the end of the auto market, and there will still be room for growth in the future.
Buy a car also need to think about car costs
In addition to the price increase of tires and lubricants, prices of other parts and components have also risen quietly, and the increase has not been small. "Buying a brake pad is tens of dollars more expensive than before," and "doing a minor repair is more expensive than before." ... More and more owners sigh, "I can't afford it."
Indeed, the direct result of the increase in the price of auto parts is the increase in the cost of car owners. Although the current standards for working hours have not increased, the cost of spare parts has accounted for the bulk of maintenance costs. Therefore, insiders estimate that maintenance fees will increase by more than 10%.
Many car owners have begun to feel the pressure caused by the increase in car costs. Ms. Zhou, the owner of the car, said in an interview that the frequent increase in the price of oil has greatly increased the pressure on vehicles. However, the current increase in the price of spare parts and accessories will undoubtedly increase the pressure on daily cars. "Now most auto parts prices have gone up. When we have to repair cars, we have to think about how we can save. If we can change something, I will choose not to change it. If we can repair it, we will try our best to repair it." said the owner, Mr. Li. Each accessory does not seem to have a lot of gains, but one or more gadgets accumulate more money.