Many agree that restyling will increase as the economy improves. “We have seen this positive trend since 2009 and we are already starting to have good response in the new year — so far so good,” RKSport’s Sean Tito notes.

Still, consumers are spending money, albeit on accessories that cost less.

“Ford did studies on the small-car segment that showed people who transitioned into smaller cars were more likely to add features and creature comforts for convenience,” 3dCarbon’s Ernie Bunnell points out.

Another trend cannot only be seen in growth, but also in decline. “In the last three years when the economy took a downturn, people continued to spend money; it was just on smaller accessories,” Bunnell says. Consumers were no longer “spending $1,500 dollars on body kits, but would opt for spending maybe $300 dollars on a hood scoop,” he notes. “But, so far, every year since that initial downturn, our sales have gradually and continually improved.”

For 2012, the trend of spending less on any one purchase is likely to continue, but experts believe the market will slowly increase while companies expand their selection of offered accessories. “Spoilers and body kits will continue to grow, but that growth will be a lot tamer, [more mature] than they used to be,” Dan Clawson of E&G Classics says. “Tint, wheels, tires, grilles and spoilers are usually the top five easiest things to do to personalize a car.”  Clawson also thinks the wrap trend will increase, as well, as consumers tend to go for flatter, primer-based colors.

For the next few years, 2012-14, “there is a projected upturn in aftermarket customization, especially for smaller vehicles,” Kevin Box of Dawn Enterprises says. Additions such as “body side moldings are making a big comeback because manufacturers are not putting them on the cars,” he says. “However, there are some accessories such as spoilers that “have been losing popularity in the aftermarket segment.”

Another market that is fighting a major uphill battle is trucks. In some aspects, “the truck market is getting killed by this economy,” Box says.

In other areas, truck customization has maintained a steady pace in sales especially when it comes to, “truck lifts, bigger tires, lowered trucks and rims — which are all I primarily see in my market,” adds Tito.

Notes Bunnell: “Most consumers, especially truck owners, do not think about a truck's aerodynamics. They are looking at design, features, quality, cost and value of the design. Some truck owners might be professionals during the week, and then use their truck as a family vehicle and hauler on the weekend.” While at the same time, though, wanting their truck to look good).