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NPD Group Bullish On Retail Aftermarket For 2022
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By Counterman
With a theme of “We the People,” the
link hidden, please login to view (The Group) held a successful national membership conference. The event took place at the Gaylord National Harbor in National Harbor, Maryland. Over 1,000 members, suppliers and associates attended the 2025
link hidden, please login to view. The event kicked off with an opening celebration linking the nation’s history to current aftermarket challenges and opportunities, including Right to Repair. A drum and fife corps opened the evening, followed by a unique look at history from Thomas Jefferson and Teddy Roosevelt. The Newsies then performed a musical stage production. The evening ended with a dinner and vendor expo.
Industry leaders outline shared goals
Day two of the Automotive Parts Services Group 2025 conference began with remarks from top industry leaders.
Sue Godschalk, CEO of Federated Auto Parts, Robert Roos, CEO of The Pronto Network, and JC Washbish, President and CEO of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, welcomed attendees. They discussed the size of The Group and its supported initiatives.
Jeff Koviak, CEO of The Group, followed with an inspiring message. He emphasized building a collaborative culture using combined strength, collective action and shared innovation.
One-on-one meetings strengthen supplier partnerships
The four-day event included over 4,800 one-on-one sessions between Group members and supplier partners.
Attendees also joined brand-specific meetings and a vendor expo. The conference concluded with a D.C. Block Party Afterglow Reception and Celebration.
“We thank all who attended the 2025 Automotive Parts Services Group conference who helped us conduct a very positive, productive and collaborative meeting,” said Koviak. “The event gave us the opportunity to review objectives, set goals and strengthen partnerships, putting into perspective the importance of ‘We the People’ to our mutual success.”
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By Counterman
A Grand Kickoff in National Harbor, Maryland
The sun glinted off the bay as thousands of automotive aftermarket professionals gathered at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center for the
link hidden, please login to view (The Group) National Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. The event drew 442 member partners with more than 4,600 one-on-one meetings scheduled throughout the week.
Leaning into the conference’s theme, “We the People,” attendees were treated to inspiring appearances from unexpected guests, historical reenactors portraying Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt. The two “former presidents” entertained the crowd with tales of America’s founding and the importance of fair business practices. Their appearance was followed by a performance from a troupe of “newsies” advocating for national Right to Repair legislation.
Following the lively kickoff, attendees enjoyed dinner, drinks and the opportunity to explore 150 booths hosted by select vendor partners. The event set the stage for several days of meetings and deal-making.
Leadership Champions Unity and Innovation
Jeff Koviak, CEO of
link hidden, please login to view, underscored the need for collaboration in today’s market. “Now more than ever is a time for shared innovation and collaboration,” Koviak said. “Organizations and people should be looking for creative, mutual opportunities for growth.”
JC Washbish, president and CEO of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, added that agility remains a key strength for the independent aftermarket.
“One thing that makes us unique in the independent aftermarket is that we are so nimble and agile and we can react quickly,” Washbish said. “That’s why we’re here this week. Let’s work together and continue to execute on what has made us successful.”
That flexibility is increasingly important as industry leaders gather just miles from Washington, D.C., amid ongoing economic uncertainty.
Strength in Numbers and the Power of Partnership
“It pulls us together as a team. We never want any of our members to feel like they’re fighting anything alone,” said Sue Godschalk, CEO of Federated Auto Parts. “We are so much more effective in numbers. We are always eager to share, and we want people to know that we’ve got your best interests at heart, and we’re here for you.”
Robert Roos, president and CEO of the Pronto Network, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the power of collaboration in a highly competitive marketplace.
“We compete with the Big Four retailers, and those guys are tremendous competitors — very good at what they do,” Roos said. “That just requires us to be better at what we do. The more we can bring groups together, whether through mergers, [or] partnerships like our joint venture with APSG, Federated and The Alliance, it’s critical for us to work together, buy together and sell together.”
The Group’s National Conference runs through May 1, with deals expected to be struck until the final booth closes. Koviak added that while the event ends this week, the follow-up work and opportunity will continue long afterward.
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By Counterman
Research by Carfax shows the used car market surging in both value and volume. The automotive aftermarket is positioned to benefit significantly—and among those who understand it best is
link hidden, please login to view, president of link hidden, please login to view (APA). In an industry where profitability is boosted by the number of repairable vehicles on the road, the recent upswing in used car sales is providing tailwinds that aftermarket businesses are ready to ride. “An increase in used car sales as well as an increased valuation of those cars both have huge benefits for our business,” Tucker explains. “With more vehicles on the road in that sweet spot of being 4-12 years old, our opportunity for selling parts increases exponentially.”
That “sweet spot” Tucker refers to is the prime range for aftermarket demand. These vehicles are typically out of warranty, increasingly in need of maintenance and repair, and owned by drivers more likely to invest in keeping them roadworthy—especially when used car values are holding strong. It’s a powerful combination that leads to increased part sales, especially in high-failure-rate categories.
Data is the Differentiator
According to Tucker, the key to capitalizing on this growing opportunity lies in one word: data.
“Keeping track of what we need to have on the shelf to service this aging car parc is the number one driver in capitalizing on servicing these vehicles,” he says. “Also understanding how the types of repairs change as the vehicle ages is important. Here again, data is the driver to success.”
From stocking the right parts for the right model years to understanding when customers shift from premium to value-tier products, every decision aftermarket businesses make should be rooted in understanding vehicle age trends and consumer vehicle repair behavior. “Understanding the brands and price points that change as the vehicle ages also must be top of mind,” he adds.
Growth For Established Players
With used car sales rising sharply, some might foresee a flood of new players entering the aftermarket to capitalize on that replacement parts demand. But Tucker doesn’t see it playing out that way.
“Having an aging car parc also means expanding your inventory in order to cover those additional model years adequately,” he says. “Having inventory dollars invested in the right places is not something that happens overnight, and so new entrants into this space are few and far between.”
Instead, he anticipates new investments going into existing aftermarket businesses. The industry’s resilience—especially during economic uncertainty—continues to attract capital. “I won’t ever say we are recession-proof as an industry, but we are recession-resistant,” Tucker notes. “Our space has proven to be an attractive one for investors and I don’t see that changing.”
Vehicle Categories for Strong Sales
While aging vehicles generally mean more part sales overall, Tucker is quick to point out that those sales fluctuate based on a variety of factors: vehicle miles driven, car parc composition and failure rates.
“When you take all of those into account, we see categories such as brakes, ride control and chassis all having exponential growth,” he says. “Anything the vehicle must have to start, run and stop effectively are all areas of strong growth.”
And as used car values rise, owners are more inclined to authorize discretionary repairs, reversing a trend often seen in older vehicles. “We will also see more of those discretionary repairs come into play on older vehicles as their value holds strong and steady,” Tucker adds.
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By APF
When selecting parts for a car repair, it pays to know the differences between original and aftermarket parts. Whenever possible, get estimates for both.
Choosing between original and aftermarket car parts — and even used parts of either type — is all about squaring your priorities with your budget.
You’ll have different options depending on the part and the shop. And the best choice will depend on whether you’re trying to keep repairs cheap, restore your car’s appearance after a wreck or soup up your ride.
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Before we get into that, here are the key differences:
Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts match those that came with your car, and are of the same quality as its original parts. They’re also the most expensive. Aftermarket parts are cheaper, and made by other manufacturers — often several, giving you more options. Used parts may have a bit of wear and tear, but should be inspected or rebuilt to ensure they’ll work. These are the cheapest option. Choosing between aftermarket and OEM parts
Your decision will depend on the type of repair and the quality and price of the parts. Always look for parts that come with a warranty, even if they’re OEM, so you’ll be protected in case they fail.
Auto body repairs
Some aftermarket parts may be OK for
link hidden, please login to view, but others won’t be as good, says Michael Calkins, manager of technical services at AAA. “There’s a lot of variation in quality.” For example, he says, aftermarket parts often don’t have the same level of rustproofing as original parts, fit and finish don’t match, or panels don’t align properly. If OEM parts are used in auto body repair, the car should look and work exactly as it did before the damage, because everything will match up. OEM parts are also crash-tested, unlike many aftermarket parts.
Aftermarket parts come at varying price points and levels of quality, but because they are cheaper, insurance companies often prefer them. If you want OEM parts but are dealing with an insurer that wants the shop to use aftermarket parts, ask to pay the difference.
“There’s also the option of used parts, depending on the age of the vehicle,” Calkins says. “It may be cheaper than an aftermarket part but still have all of the original quality.”
Mechanical repairs
A used part, whether it’s OEM or aftermarket, can really save money on repairs under the hood, so long as it’s inspected first and warrantied. And some aftermarket companies reverse-engineer their products to be even better than OEM versions.
For example, many car buffs will tell you that you can get heavy-duty shocks and struts or brake pads that are made of stronger materials. Scan some reviews online, or talk with your mechanic if you’re not sure whether an aftermarket part could be an upgrade.
Adding some extras
If you’d like to modify your ride by adding something like a backup camera or back-seat TV screen, you’ll probably be looking for aftermarket parts. Certain aftermarket upgrades could increase
link hidden, please login to view. This is especially true for improvements like a better sound system or alloy wheels, rather than mechanical repairs. Who provides OEM or aftermarket parts?
The options you’ll have for parts depends on the nature of the repairs and what type of shop you take your car to:
Dealership repair shops will offer only OEM parts — they have no reason to offer a cheaper product from a competitor link hidden, please login to view may be able to offer you a choice between OEM and aftermarket parts Independent garages that specialize in your type of vehicle will likely have both, but with quicker access to OEM parts, including used OEM parts, which can really save you Auto body shops can offer both, but if your collision repair is part of an insurance claim, the insurer will likely prefer aftermarket parts to save money Depending on the job, the cost of OEM versus aftermarket parts varies. Whenever you’re given the choice, ask to see estimates for both so you can weigh your options.
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By Counterman
The Automotive Parts Services Group (The Group) will hold its 2025 membership conference April 28- May 1. The event will take place at the Gaylord National Harbor in National Harbor, Maryland.
“This year’s conference promises to be a very productive meeting between members of The Group, supplier partners and associates. It gives us the opportunity to interact, collaborate and build growth initiatives that benefit all,” said Jeff Koviak, CEO of The Group. “We look forward to visiting our nation’s capital, learning how history influences our industry and joining forces to set a win-win course for the future.”
2025 Membership Conference: Four Days of Engagement and Strategy
The 2025 membership conference will run for four days and include many informative sessions. Topics will cover tariffs, inventory management, sales training and Right to Repair legislation.
The event will also feature a vendor expo and scheduled one-on-one meetings. These meetings will bring together members of
link hidden, please login to view and supplier partners. Breakout Sessions to Support Brands
The agenda will also include breakout sessions focused on each banner-marketing brand. These sessions will help teams align their goals and strategies, according to The Group.
“By coming together as ‘
link hidden, please login to view,’ we can harness our combined strength, share our ideas and innovations, develop plans for mutual success and profitability, and take collective action to achieve our common goals,” said Koviak. The post
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