Prices for nearly all materials used in the auto glass industry increased in April, according to recently released Producer Price Index (PPI) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The monthly PPI for specialty glass, which includes auto glass, in the commodity category rose 1.4 percent in March on a year-over-year basis. The PPI for specialty glass was up 0.1 percent from March. According to the BLS, the commodity classification “organizes products and services by similarity or material composition, regardless of the industry classification of the producing establishment.”
Prices for motor vehicle parts were up 1.4 percent compared to April 2017, and in that index, in the commodity grouping, month-over-month prices were unchanged.
The PPI for molded rubber mechanical goods (automotive) spiked 2.8 percent from its March reading and 3.9 percent from a year ago. Adhesives and sealants was up 0.3 percent for the month and 2 percent from last year.
Motor vehicle repair and maintenance, in the services grouping, saw a price increase of 0.1 percent on a month-over-month basis, and experienced an increase of 1.9 percent for the year.
The cost of private passenger auto insurance services was up just 0.2 percent monthly but increased 4.8 percent year-over-year. Commercial auto insurance was up 0.7 percent month-over-month and 1 percent year-over-year.
It’s too bad too see all the increases related to auto glass, hopefully we can see less increases in the future.