LAS VEGAS -- Online parts ordering is a growing trend, based on results from a recent MacKay & Company survey on fleet parts purchasing, presented during Heavy Duty Aftermarket Dialogue, held the day before Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week.

Five years ago, the 769 respondents to the survey said phone orders were the primary (31%) way they ordered parts, with online ordering being the next popular way at 26%.

Today, online parts represent 32% of parts orders and phone calls only 18%.

In five years, those fleets say they expect to be ordering 43% of their parts online and using the phone for only 13% of orders.

Those same fleets, which have 54,000 power units and 76,000 trailers and chassis, order parts from OE supplier managed sites (65%), distribution managed sites (27%), and 8% order from the site with the best price.

The surveyed fleets say they also go online to obtain technical information (87%), research parts pricing (85%), use parts cross-reference (76%) and to check parts availability (76%).