As mentioned, Cadillac Escalade EXT owners spend the most on accessories, with an average of $5,814, followed by Chevrolet Avalanche drivers with $2,652. Nissan Titan comes third with $1,468 while Lincoln Mark LT is fourth with $1,414.
According to the report, the most attractive aftermarket accessories were the exhaust kits, purchased by 29.9 percent of buyers, custom wheels (29.3 percent), air intakes (26.9 percent) and brake kits (26.4 percent).
"Apart from enthusiasts, mainstream consumers in general are feeling the crunch of the current economy, and they are likely to continue scaling back their automotive accessory purchases throughout 2009," SEMA said in the report.
What's interesting is that the report claims the aftermarket industry will remain steady in 2009 despite the drops projected for this year. Basically, the global credit crunch will force people to hold onto their vehicles longer which in its turn means that drivers will customize their cars with all kinds of accessories, starting with those aimed at fuel economy and ending with appearance and comfort.
"Our industry is not immune to the normal business cycles, with their ups and downs. But companies can proactively adjust their inventories to the future vehicle mix and remember that the current crop of vehicles on the road are still potential canvases for customization.
In addition, those that remain an authoritative figure to their customers, while maintaining brand awareness through communication channels that reach core consumers still planning to purchase specialty equipment, may look at the current recession as an opportunity rather than a threat to business," it read.
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