North America Automotive Aftermarket Competitor Analysis by Product

Report Overview

Broad Mix of Participants in North American Automotive Aftermarket

Thousands of companies are active in the US$55.8 billion North American aftermarket for automotive components. Industry participants include:

• large automakers
• Tier 1 motor vehicle parts suppliers that also sell their products to aftermarket buyers
• companies whose products are primarily sold in automotive replacement markets
• component remanufacturing, rebuilding, and recycling firms

Key Findings in the North America Automotive Aftermarket Competitor Analysis Study:

Industry Fragmentation Varies Considerably by Product Segment

The North American light vehicle parts aftermarket industry is fragmented, with the 24 largest suppliers responsible for a little less than one-third of the regional sales total. However, the degree of fragmentation varies considerably from one product segment to another.

The most fragmented industry segments are air conditioning and engine cooling, electronics, and powertrain. In the air conditioning and engine cooling and powertrain product categories, fragmentation is due to the sizable number of small remanufacturers and rebuilders active in local marketplaces. In the electronics aftermarket, industry fragmentation reflects the participation of numerous parts producers operating out of China and other low-cost countries in Asia.

Batteries, lamps and lighting, and spark plugs and other ignition system product categories are the most concentrated. In each of these segments, more than 70% of the market is supplied by only eight manufacturers that benefit from:

• substantial economies of scale
• established supply arrangements with leading auto parts retailers
• well-known brand names, supported by sizable advertising and promotion budgets

These factors prevent other suppliers from gaining significant market shares. Nevertheless, the more concentrated divisions of the North American automotive aftermarket continue to attract additional competition because of their substantial size and the stable nature of product demand.

A Variety of Sales Channels Are Used by Most Leading Manufacturers

Most leading suppliers of components to the North American automotive aftermarket use a wide range of sales channels to distribute their products, enabling them to sell to different customer types based on their preferred method of buying. However, a few large suppliers distribute most, if not all, of their products through a single channel, reflecting the narrow focus of these firms on one customer type.

Study Coverage

This study presents sales data for 2016 by product category (powertrain components, electronic components, batteries, brake parts, air conditioning and engine cooling components, filters, steering and suspension, fuel system components, exhaust and emissions system components, starters and alternators, spark plugs and other ignition system components, and lamps and lighting) and relevant industry participants. The study also evaluates company market share and provides an analysis of key competitors that include Bosch, CARDONE Industries, Delphi Automotive, DENSO, East Penn Manufacturing, Federal-Mogul, General Motors, Johnson Controls, Standard Motor Products, Tenneco, and ZF Friedrichshafen.