E-commerce will provide opportunities for certain types of brands and the manufacturers, warehouses and other auto parts distributors that can supply them
Fort Wayne. Ind.—Five major kinds of product brands are competing in the car and light truck U.S. aftermarket: OE and four groups of aftermarket brands. And each major type of brand has unique product attributes and different distribution patterns, which will determine their performance in the 2025 aftermarket, states the latest Lang Aftermarket iReport.
“As the mix of vehicle age groups and nameplates change and eCommerce continues to generate a growing share of auto parts volume, each type of product brand must adapt to the new challenges and opportunities in the evolving 2025 light vehicle aftermarket,” reports Lang.
There are challenges and opportunities: the mix of vehicles on U.S. roads is changing dramatically and foreign nameplates comprise a rapidly growing portion of cars and light trucks in operation; in addition, the vehicle age mix is evolving, with light vehicles 15 years and older among the fastest-growing age segments.
Domestic Aftermarket Brands
Domestic Aftermarket Brands are among the most recognized, but the expanding aftermarket share of foreign nameplates has become a challenge, according to Lang, stating, “In 2025, Domestic Aftermarket Brands must work to be perceived by installers as providing quality, fit, and performance equal to their competitors, especially for foreign nameplates.”
Foreign Aftermarket Brands
Although recognized for their product quality, fit, and performance for foreign nameplates, Foreign Aftermarket Brands must achieve wider 2025 aftermarket distribution and provide product coverage for domestic nameplates, notes the analysis. Domestic nameplates still generate most of the aftermarket volume for many product categories, especially for older vehicles.
Private Label Brands
Private Labels are offered by some of the largest distributors and retailers in the aftermarket. Lang reports, “In 2025, Private Labels must work to increase their acceptance by installers in terms of quality, fit, and performance, especially for foreign nameplates.”
OE (Original Equipment) Supplier Brands
“Although installers often rate OE-Supplier Brands as superior to some aftermarket brands for vehicles on which their parts are OE components, these brands must extend this perception across a broader mix of vehicle applications,” states the analysis. “Similarly, OE-Supplier Brands need to expand the array of channels through which their products are distributed.”
OE (Original Equipment) Brands
Although installers highly regard OE (Original Equipment) Brands for their quality, fit and performance, their distribution is limited mostly to vehicle dealers. In many cases, dealers do not provide the same level of parts delivery and customer service to installers as other distribution channels supplying aftermarket brands. Lang notes, “Dealers must work to improve in these critical customer service areas.” In addition, OE Brands often are priced higher than other brands.
eCommerce Opportunities for Some Brands
eCommerce is generating a growing share of auto parts volume in the U.S. However, many platforms and e-sellers do not stock auto parts, and they must rely on manufacturers, warehouses, and other auto parts distributors to fulfill their orders.
Lang states, “This fulfillment need will provide great opportunities in 2025 for certain types of brands and the manufacturers, warehouses and other auto parts distributors that can supply them, especially Domestic Aftermarket Brands, Foreign Aftermarket Brands, and OE-Supplier Brands. Private Labels and Original Equipment Brands are generally less suited to sales by platforms, but some e-seller [could] handle them successfully.”
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