America's reliance upon the automobile as the primary means of transportation is a fact of life. There are now more than 200 million vehicles in the U.S. fleet, up from less than 160 million just since 1980.
Continued growth is a certainty.
In addition to the growing fleet, vehicle miles traveled also continues to increase as does the overall age of the fleet. The average new vehicle has 60 electronic sensors or monitors and this is expected to increase to about 100 in the next five to 10 years. By necessity, vehicle repair professionals are now technicians and specialists rather than simply mechanics. The average vehicle owner is no longer able to perform repairs on his or her own automobile, let alone even recognize problems with engine, brake or suspension components. More vehicles, more driving, more congestion, more older vehicles on the road - it means that certainty of vehicle condition is more important than ever for ensuring safety on the nation's highways.