Auto tech shortage presents a career opportunity in a well-paid trade
Likewise, the University of the Aftermarket Foundation is on pace to fulfill 470 scholarships through the website automotivescholarships.com, worth $940,000, according to Mike Buzzard, the chair of UAF’s scholarship committee and a managing partner at Schwartz Advisors.
“We see a lot of hard-working kids who don’t want to incur the debt needed to get a four-year degree,” said Buzzard. “While trade schools aren’t cheap, you can get through in two years and come out with modest student loans and a good-paying job to repay them.”
What’s Hot in the Aftermarket
The automotive aftermarket M&A space continues to face headwinds from tariff uncertainty, according to Brian Cruickshank, partner at Schwartz Advisors. Cruickshank said ongoing trade tensions and policy delays are slowing deal momentum and investor confidence. https://www.aftermarketnews.com/tariff-slowing-ma-question/
M&A Activity Headed into Q3 2025
M&A deal flow in the automotive aftermarket is showing early signs of gaining momentum during the latter half of 2025, but tariff uncertainty and long transaction timelines mean many processes kicked off now may not close until 2026, Schwartz explained in a new interview.
Tariffs Add Complexity, the Aftermarket Remains Resilient
Strategies to stay competitive during volatility in the automotive aftermarket.
Are Tariffs Slowing Aftermarket M&A?
The automotive aftermarket M&A space continues to face headwinds from tariff uncertainty, according to Brian Cruickshank, partner at Schwartz Advisors. Cruickshank said ongoing trade tensions and policy delays are slowing deal momentum and investor confidence
What’s Happening Here?
How will powertrain trends and technologies impact your business? Since 2018, Schwartz Advisors has maintained a “VIO Dynamics Forecast,” which predicts how BEV penetration of new car sales and the VIO makeup will impact future parts and service sales. Contact Derek Kaufman for more information or how to access the forecast.
Aftermarket M&A Activity Slows but Holds Promise
Investor sentiment in the motor vehicle aftermarket remains cautious, but aftermarket M&A activity continues according to Schwartz Advisors CEO Rick Schwartz. Schwartz described three investor mindsets: caution, opportunism and concern.
VIO Forecast Update
Once a quarter, we revisit key elements of the forecast and look for ways to expand the model to better serve our clients. In Q1 2025, three items made our list.
When Old is Gold
Even as the BEV options continue to grow, many consumers are keeping their ICE vehicles longer. Derek Kaufman has some thoughts about why that’s the case…read more
BEV Market Challenges
While BEV adoption is increasing, Derek Kaufman emphasizes that challenges persist…read more or watch the interview
Things Done Quietly
Derek Kaufman, Futurist and Partner with Schwartz Advisors, discusses how major automotive plans simply drift away
When Proof was Possible
Derek Kaufman, Futurist and Partner with Schwartz Advisors, writes about the best promises and worst fears of artificial intelligence and their impact on the automotive aftermarket.
It’s a Small World After All | Lessons in Packaging
Small package differences equaling big value A lesson learned in packaging and sustainability through the eyes of the Customer.
Thoughts on Autonomous Commercial Vehicles
Everyone has an opinion on the viability of autonomous vehicles and their ultimate impact on the transportation aftermarket. I am glad to weigh in.
Factors Affecting M&A Activity in Today’s Aftermarket
Merger and acquisition activity in the automotive aftermarket changes over time. Sometimes, there’s high activity on the manufacturing level. Other times, like now, retail consolidation is seeing major activity. But why? What factors affect the pace and type of M&A activity in the automotive aftermarket? And what does that mean for your business?