The auto manufacturers have never really done much to get a share of the profits that come from accessory parts, but now that's changing.
Ford of Canada will try to expand an already successful accessory business at new vehicle dealers around Toronto and is indeed using the Toronto template for the same-day delivery service in five American cities.
And General Motors of Canada has opened up an Internet acessories site (Accessorizer at www.gmcanada.com) to make it easier for customers looking for light duty truck, sport utility and van parts.
The Ford accessory delivery system will expand on a repair parts delivery system that's been operating in Toronto for some time.
Mark Robinson, accessories marketing manager of Ford Customer Services Division in Detroit, says a Mississauga company called Campbell's has been delivering parts to Toronto Ford dealers for about 20 years.
Lately, "they've been using him more and more for accessories," Robinson says, because he tries to give same-day or just-in-time delivery.
This quick service is a big deal for the dealers, says Robinson, since they haven't been willing to carry the wide variety of parts necessary to make the business viable. With a central location where he can store lots of parts, Campbell gets the dealers around this inventory problem.