The light truck market as a whole includes pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) vans and even commercial chassis. When referring to this market SEMA has traditionally limited the scope to pickup trucks, both midsize and fullsize. However, SUVs have been a popular choice for accessorization.
The light-truck niche continues to represent the largest portion of the specialty equipment market for both manufacturer and retail sales. In particular, pickup trucks have been the backbone of the light truck market for aftermarket parts. Pickups are often lifted or lowered. They are accessorized with big wheels and tonneau covers. And they are used to tow boats, race cars and toy haulers.
Pickup-truck owners are increasingly aware of performance parts and accessories available for their trucks. In fact, in some cases the truck they select and where they purchase it are determined by the availability of performance parts and accessories. We have seen shifts in the popularity of various products used to modify pickup trucks.
The performance parts and accessories industry has become increasingly interested in the perceptions and attitudes of pickup truck owners. Foresight Research conducted a study of this group in May and June of 2004. The most recent study prior to this had been conducted in 1999.
The light truck aftermarket niche is the largest of seven generally acknowledged specialty equipment industry niches. The following table lays out the contribution of each in 2002. The driving force behind light vehicle sales in the U.S. is clearly the light truck segment; in fact, the light trucks have eclipsed the passenger car vehicle market in sales through the twelve months ending in July 2003.
The light truck market as a whole includes pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) vans and even commercial chassis. When referring to this market SEMA has traditionally limited the scope to pickup trucks, both midsize and fullsize. However, SUVs have been a popular choice for accessorization.
