Research firm Frost & Sullivan recently released a report on vehicle modification and the motivation of drivers to modify their vehicles. The report revealed that over 30% of enthusiasts have modified five or more vehicles. However, vehicle modification isn’t only for car enthusiasts anymore. The number of car owners who modify their rides continue to rise. Almost 44% of the car owners surveyed will spend $1,000-$3,000 annually on modifications and accessories.

Why do vehicle owners modify their vehicles? Experts have an explanation – most consumers often see their vehicles as incomplete. The trend is also influenced by social forces. Most car owners modify their vehicles also because they want to impart individuality into the car they love. “In North America, vehicles have become an important component of a person’s image, but that image must be unique. Modification is the key means through which consumers can achieve a unique image”, explained Mary-Beth Kellenberger, analyst, Frost & Sullivan.

Modifications also depend on three other factors: budget, skill level, and interest. Industry analysts say that the skill levels of car enthusiasts and most car owners as well are rising, many of whom do the modifications by themselves. Interest in new vehicles is also very high, experts say. More importantly, the growing popularity of car modification is also fueled by the higher budgets of most car owners, allowing them to purchase and install a wide range of accessories and modifications to their vehicles.

To maintain this momentum of the upward trend in vehicle modifications, the aftermarket industry is encouraged to focus on newer applications. And as the technologies in vehicles continue to improve by leaps and bounds, the aftermarket must be able to cope up by upgrading their product line-up and enhancing their skill levels.