Lang Marketing recently published a summary of its report on aftermarket business conditions. This report indicates that as much as $3 billion dollars may shift from the franchised dealer market to the independent aftermarket side of the ledger, as a result of the projected closing of thousands of dealers.

Wow! This is not good news for many dealers, but it's great news for independent repairers, right? In my opinion, it certainly should be, but I will temper any enthusiasm with a caveat: It will be good for those who are prepared, but perhaps not as much for those who are still getting used to the idea that vehicles - and their owners' expectations - have changed.

For those shop owners who have invested in the proper equipment, tools, information access and training, an increase in demand for service will be welcomed with open arms. Bring it on!

For those who are still hoping that someone will turn back the hands of time to the "good ol' days" when vehicles weren't the sophisticated, computerized, entertainment/convenience/safety systems on wheels they are today, the coming days will be very difficult times.

The consumer won't buy into the excuse that the bad guys are the dealers and the OEs. Remember, they are the ones accused of having all the advantages because they were locking out the independents, but somehow that didn't translate into a monopoly on the service market did it?

Do you think consumers will be patient with independent service dealers that won't step up the plate, take responsibility for their own success and be prepared to offer a service experience that customers might expect from the franchised dealer? I suspect that the majority will give a shop one try ... maybe two. But if customers are not convinced that they are receiving an equivalent level of technical skill and customer service, they will go somewhere else - on the hunt for more satisfactory results.

We may be about to experience the most pronounced change in consumer automotive service purchase preferences in the history of the automotive industry in the United States. Are we ready for it? Do we expect the state or federal governments to "bail us out" if we aren't capable of capitalizing on the obvious opportunities, or are we going to rise to the occasion and demonstrate what a resilient and enterprising small business sector can accomplish?

To be sure, there will be winners and losers over the next couple of years as this once-in-a-lifetime economic upheaval plays out. I'm placing my bet on the independent service and repair professionals we serve.