What is the size of the global and U.S. automotive aftermarket?
The aftermarket is forecasted to grow to $2.65 trillion globally in 2026; the U.S. aftermarket is expected to reach $457 billion, including light- and heavy-duty vehicles
LAS VEGAS – September 22, 2026 – The automotive aftermarket is quite a large industry, and it’s known for its slow but reliably steady growth.
This sometimes surprises people, because many of the brands in the aftermarket aren’t familiar to consumers. Somewhat paradoxically, “the chances are high that a majority of U.S. households unknowingly rely on their products every day,” as industry leaders recently wrote for Real Clear Markets.
So, what is the size of the aftermarket?
Globally, the automotive aftermarket is estimated to grow to $2.65 trillion in 2026. This represents a ~$40 billion increase over the same market size estimate in 2025.
The U.S. contributes significantly to these overall numbers. The U.S. aftermarket for light-duty vehicles, which includes cars and light trucks, is forecasted to grow 5.2% in 2026 to $457 billion. That’s $22 billion more than the forecast published last year.
If we include U.S.-based heavy-duty vehicles, that adds another $142.9 billion to the 2026 estimate. In total, the combined market for U.S. light- and heavy-duty vehicles adds up to $599.7 billion. That accounts for roughly 1.9% of the current forecast for the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) in 2026.
What’s amazing about the aftermarket is the people working in it. As MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers President Emily Poladian remarked in a recent AAPEX announcement, “despite its size and economic influence, the aftermarket is remarkable for its tight-knit and relationship-driven culture.”
Data sources
AAPEX parent organizations, the Auto Care Association and MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, produce two benchmark annual reports analyzing the automotive aftermarket. Both associations conduct primary research, collaborate with credible third-party researchers and sift through reams of government data tabulated by agencies such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The outputs are rendered in two benchmark reports:
The statistics listed here are from these reports and are part of the newly published 2026 AAPEX Media Guide.
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AAPEX 2026 will be held from Nov. 3–5, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at The Venetian Expo & AAPEX Forum. See the exhibitor prospectus for exhibiting details. Complimentary passes are available to the media; email: [email protected].
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