Growing number of foreign nameplates and ICE vehicles per service bay in the U.S. is shaping the light-vehicle aftermarket in several significant ways
Fort Wayne, Ind.—The U.S. vehicles in operation (VIO) and service bay populations are rapidly moving in opposite directions. The number of cars and light trucks on U.S. roads keeps increasing, but, counterintuitively, the service bay population has steadily declined, states the latest Lang Marketing’s Aftermarket iReport.
Accordingly, the number of light vehicles per bay has increased.
During 2025, foreign nameplates per service bay in the U.S. reached a record high, as did the number of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, including hybrids. The report notes that foreign nameplates were a majority of the vehicle population last year, topping 50% of the nation’s VIO.
The analysis also highlights that by mid-year 2025, the number of light vehicle service bays in the U.S. was down approximately 73,000 from six years earlier, just before the 2020 pandemic, and 82,000 since 2015.
More Foreign Nameplates per Bay
Lang Marketing estimates that total light vehicles per bay continued to climb during 2025, reaching a new high, up more than 56% over 10 years.
The performance of foreign nameplates was more dramatic. Their number per bay more than tripled between 2015 and 2025, driven by the increase in the foreign nameplate VIO and the acceleration in the service bay decline following COVID-19.
More ICE Vehicles per Bay
Even if the ICE VIO begins to decline (something that is not likely for at least 10 years, states the report), the number of ICE cars and light trucks per service bay in the U.S. will continue to climb, given the projected ongoing loss of service bays across the country.
Repair Market Consequences
The growing number of foreign nameplates per service bay in the U.S. is shaping the light-vehicle aftermarket in several significant ways:
• The growing number of foreign nameplates per bay is increasing their share of the Do-It-For-Me market at a record pace.
• All types of service outlets must expand their capabilities to repair foreign nameplates, and all types of distribution channels must expand their supplies of components for foreign nameplates.
• Since not all types of repair outlets and distribution channels will be able to meet the challenges presented by the increase in foreign nameplates per service outlet, there will be a shift in DIFM market strength among repair outlets and distribution channels.
• All these changes will impact the market shares of product brands competing in the foreign vehicle DIFM market.
The growth of ICE vehicles per service bay across the country is affecting the aftermarket in three significant ways:
• The growing number of ICE vehicles per bay reinforces their dominance of the DIFM aftermarket for many years to come.
• Since dealers will perform a disproportionate share of EV repairs and maintenance, the number of ICE vehicles that the average independent (non-dealer) outlet must service will be even greater than the overall average numbers suggest.
• Independent repair outlets must make the necessary investments to expand their capabilities. Since not all outlets will be able to do this, there will be significant changes in DIFM market share by major types of repair outlets.
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