Home Depot revs up Auto Supplies

Atlanta-based The Home Depot is promoting an Auto Supplies department.

Brands getting star billing in the new store effort include Exide, Michelin, Prestone and Penzoil.

"Automotive products are a natural extension of what The Home Depot already offers with its growing selection of mechanics tool sets, welding and soldering tools and tool storage products that are specially designed for automotive tools," said Alyssa Steele, merchant for The Home Depot.

A Florida store showed off the goods in a 16-ft. section called out with the sign above the shelves. Outside the store, a large banner above the store entrance announced: Auto Supplies now available at The Home Depot.

At one store, about half the space located in the tool department was devoted to Exide brand batteries with other products, including floor mats, wiper blades, oil, antifreeze, jacks, jumper cables, air fresheners and miscellaneous chemicals.

Absent from the mix were any type of car care products. 

The retailer initially rolled out automotive product offerings such as wiper blades, motor oil, antifreeze and floor mats early this year. Most Home Depot locations now carry these basic goods, while about 75% carry car batteries. Approximately 50 stores have a six-bay automotive program, with an additional 50 expected to take it on by the end of 2014.