Polk Launches Global Aftermarket Solutions Platform

WorldView provides unique, first of its kind intelligence for global aftermarket planning

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Oct 10, 2013, 08:00 ET

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Oct. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- To address the needs of the expanding dynamic global automotive aftermarket, Polk, the global automotive market intelligence firm recently acquired by IHS (NYSE: IHS), today announced it has launched the world's largest and most complete resource for vehicles in operation and original equipment parts intelligence. Polk's WorldView, the industry's first comprehensive solution of this nature, integrates several previously independent products from Polk into one global solution. It is now available to customers in the commercial and light vehicle aftermarket, providing comprehensive global business planning support.

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The WorldView platform is the world's only solution to integrate Polk's Vehicles in Operation (VIO) data from 50 countries, forecasted vehicle population information and European original equipment (OE) parts research to enable clients to access a host of decision support information. The complete offering includes:

Vehicles in Operation (VIO) -- Vehicle population figures for 50 markets around the world, together with a wide range of attributes to support filtering and appending detail in query output.
Global Make/Model -- Vehicles in disparate markets are linked using a core set of relevant characteristics, facilitating identification and analysis of part fitment opportunities around the world.
Global Catalog Merge -- The ability to integrate aftermarket or OE catalogs with vehicles in operation counts using ACES and TecDoc standards.
Global OE Parts Research -- OE part numbers, specifications and vehicle fitment details.
VIO Forecast -- Five year projected population figures with full ACES coding in the U.S. and TecDoc coding for the rest of the world.
Historical Trending -- The ability to analyze part fitment opportunities across time intervals and identify areas of growth or decline.
Aftermarket Industry Standards (ACES, TecDoc) -- Serves as a bridge between part numbers and vehicle population counts to provide the most accurate account of fitment opportunities.

"Global aftermarket needs are changing, and with the changes come significant business opportunities for all areas of the aftermarket," said Mark Seng, vice president of Polk's global aftermarket practice. "This comprehensive solution enables our global customers in the light vehicle and commercial aftermarket to access resources that can help them address market needs based on more robust market intelligence and easier access to information."

The one-stop solution encompasses the largest and most complete source of VIO and OE parts research in the world, and is the only solution supporting catalog analysis in countries worldwide. Combined, this new holistic platform will enable business planners to analyze global part demand and support key decisions related to cataloging, inventory planning and part production for the light and commercial vehicle aftermarket.

In addition, customers have the opportunity to access global vehicle population data through a single login and consistent and common range of functionality, creating an opportunity to project future part demand. Additionally, it allows for better understanding of increasing globalization of OEM platforms and engine families, as this trend is expected to continue among manufacturers worldwide.

Polk is already showcasing this new solution to its customers through private meetings with extremely positive response and will highlight its new capabilities during its participation at the upcoming EquipAuto exhibition in Paris, Oct. 16-20, booth 5 E 093 and the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas, Nov. 5-7 in exhibit #4634.

For additional information about this unique solution, please visit our website.

About IHS
IHS (NYSE: IHS) is the leading source of information, insight and analytics in critical areas that shape today's business landscape. Businesses and governments in more than 165 countries around the globe rely on the comprehensive content, expert independent analysis and flexible delivery methods of IHS to make high-impact decisions and develop strategies with speed and confidence. IHS has been in business since 1959 and became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 2005. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, USA, IHS is committed to sustainable, profitable growth and employs approximately 8,000 people in 31 countries around the world. For more information, please visit www.ihs.com.

About Polk
Polk is the premier provider of automotive information and marketing solutions. The organization collects and interprets global data, and provides extensive automotive business expertise to help customers understand their market position, identify trends, build brand loyalty, conquest new business and gain a competitive advantage. Polk helps automotive manufacturers and dealers, automotive aftermarket companies, finance and insurance companies, advertising agencies, media companies, consulting organizations, government agencies and market research firms make good business decisions. Polk is based in Southfield, Michigan with operations in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. For more information, please visit www.polk.com.