Did you know that the global motor vehicle market had an estimated worth of $2.11 trillion in 2020? Market experts also project it to grow further and reach a whopping size of $32.31 billion come 2025.
That’s already impressive, but those figures only apply to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). These include carmakers such as Toyota, Ford, and General Motors, to name a few.
By contrast, automotive aftermarket companies make up an estimated $390 billion global industry. They don’t make entire cars; instead, they manufacture automotive parts. In this way, they’re also direct competitors of OEMs.
So, what exactly are these aftermarket car part manufacturers? What vehicle components do they even make, and how do they differ from OEM parts?
We’ll answer all those questions and more in this guide, so be sure to read on!
What Are Automotive Aftermarket Companies?
Automotive aftermarket companies manufacture, distribute, and retail vehicle parts and equipment. They also make vehicle accessories that not all OEMs make. All products that they develop, market, and sell fall under the aftermarket class.
Aftermarket companies are third parties independent of OEMs. That’s why many refer to them as “non-OEMs,” and their products as “non-OEM parts.”
Many non-OEM companies make replacement car parts. Repair shops or car owners can then use these parts to replace existing but damaged or worn-out parts. A few examples are filters, wiper blades, brake pads, belts, and spark plugs.
Other replacement parts help boost vehicle performance. Non-OEM wheels, tires, exhaust systems, superchargers, and air intakes are some examples. Many off-roaders also buy lift kits, tow straps, recovery cables, and cargo tie-downs.
There are also aftermarket parts for safety, such as mirrors, cameras, and lights. Security systems, such as alarms and video cameras, are also common. For better aesthetics and comfort, seat covers and window tinting are some options.
How Do Aftermarket Products Differ from OEM?
Aftermarket manufacturers design products compatible with more than one make, model, and year. For example, some make catalytic converters that can fit cars from Ford, Toyota, and BMW. They may also produce high-performance exhaust systems compatible with sedans, SUVs, or trucks.
For those reasons, non-OEM car part makers can afford to mass-produce products. After all, the goods they make can fit multiple brands, makes, and models. This mass production is also the reason aftermarket products cost less than OEM.
That’s also why many suppliers and body shops can buy aftermarket car parts wholesale. In this way, suppliers can sell aftermarket car parts online at lower prices. Moreover, repair shops that use aftermarket parts can charge their clients lower rates.
By contrast, OEM parts are usually specific to one or just a few brand-specific models.
For example, a Toyota OEM car part may only be compatible with the Toyota Hilux product line. Another example is a Honda OEM part, which Honda may design to fit only the 2020 Civic lineup.
The fact alone that OEM parts come branded already makes them expensive. Moreover, they aren’t as widely available because they are for specific vehicles. This specificity is also why OEMs can’t mass produce them, which, in turn, further fuels their high cost.
Moreover, some of the best aftermarket car parts don’t have OEM versions. This is especially true for high-performance parts, such as mufflers and cylinder heads. These bolt-on engine modifications are usually only available outside of OEM factories.
How Do Aftermarket Companies Make It Easy for Buyers to Buy the Right Part?
According to Toyota, one car consists of around 30,000 different individual parts. That includes all the tiniest components, such as screws, nuts, and bolts.
That’s already a lot but remember: each of these parts comes in many variations. So, imagine how hard it could be for a buyer to sift through all their OEM and non-OEM options.
That’s why aftermarket companies follow two standards: ACES and PIES. ACES stands for Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard.
ACES allow companies to communicate and manage all of their products’ fitment data. By contrast, PIES deals with aftermarket product attributes.
In any case, ACES and PIES enable accurate mapping of products to the VCdb. VCdb, in turn, stands for Vehicle Configuration Database. It’s a vehicle configuration database used in the North American and Mexican markets.
The VCdb collates and organizes data based on year, make, and model.
As such, a user can simply search for a specific part based on those attributes. The database would then display filtered results compatible with those characteristics. For a more detailed explanation of these attributes, you can learn more here.
Either way, those standards help simplify online aftermarket car part purchases. In this way, regular consumers benefit too, as they can quickly find the parts they need online.
Read next: Simple Steps to Remove Rust from Your Old Car
When Should Consumers Stick to OEM Parts?
If you have a vehicle that’s still under warranty, it might be best to use OEM parts. Otherwise, you may end up voiding the warranty if you use aftermarket parts.
You should also go with OEM parts if you plan to sell your car soon. Many folks prefer OEM parts, even if they’re buying used vehicles. So, if they find out you have many aftermarket parts in your car, they may either back out or offer to buy it for less.
Another factor to consider is the warranty, which is always included in OEM parts. Aftermarket parts do come with warranties, too, but they may be shorter than the OEM ones.
Consider Sourcing Car Parts from Reliable Automotive Aftermarket Companies
Automotive aftermarket companies are some of your top sources of affordable car parts. Thanks to their mass production, it’s no longer common for car parts to be out of stock. However, it’s still vital to remember that these non-OEM parts vary in cost and quality.
So, if you plan to go with aftermarket parts, be sure to confirm the reliability of their manufacturer.
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