AUTOZONE INC. Memphis, Tennessee Auto Parts Chain Drives New Message To Consumers.(THE NEW AMERICA)

Byline: ADELIA CELLINI LINECKER

Do-it-yourself retailer AutoZone Inc. used to count on sales of replacement auto parts to drive its business. That's not enough anymore.

The firm wants people to shop at its stores even when their cars aren't broken down.

So when Steve Odland took over as chief executive last year, part of his mission was to spread the message that car maintenance sales were just as big as selling parts for repair jobs.

"This is an important way to grow the business, (because) industry studies show that $60 billion of annual maintenance goes undone each year," Odland said in a recent statement.

AutoZone sells auto and light truck parts, chemicals and accessories through 3,060 stores in the U.S. …