SEMA Says Diesel Truck Owners Spend More in the Aftermarket

An interesting report has come to light today from the Specialty Equipment Market Association, better known as SEMA.

The SEMA newsletter outlines what many of our readers already know and comment on frequently, that today’s diesel-engined vehicle options are a far different breed than those of years past.

(Click through the jump to read more about SEMA’s diesel findings.)

Reinforcing this notion are the statistics that show consumers buying more diesel products, notably light trucks, than they have in years past. In fact, despite a climate that has seen auto production slowing down almost across the board, production of diesel light trucks rose from 6.17 percent in 2005 to 8.24 percent in 2006.

With this surge in popularity comes an attendant rise in sales of aftermarket parts for diesel light trucks. SEMA reports that at its recent 2007 New Product Showcase, one in ten of the products were made for a diesel application.

Additionally, SEMA’s Automotive Lifestyles survey found that diesel light truck owners spend 17 percent more on specialty equipment than their non-diesel owning counterparts.