LAS VEGAS – September 23, 2025 – There are just weeks left to go before AAPEX 2025 kicks off. Tens of thousands of automotive aftermarket professionals will converge on the showroom floors inside The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum.

The top reasons for attending the show are to find innovative products (especially those that solve emerging problems), meet new suppliers and develop business relationships. Another good reason is to stay ahead of the curve on trends. To that end, below are seven trends worth watching for at AAPEX 2025.

1. Shortage of auto technicians 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts a shortage of 68,000 auto technicians every year for the next 10 years. A separate analysis from the non-profit TechForce Foundation is more worrisome, predicting a shortfall of 400,000 auto techs through 2026. 

The career site Zippia puts the average age of an auto technician at 40-years-old. Many are older and beginning to retire, which the BLS says is one major cause of the shortage. Absent a resolution, many market watchers expect this will result in fewer options in repair facilities, longer waiting times for repairs, and ultimately higher maintenance costs.

2. Discretionary consumer repair spending 

Shop owners and other industry players have been telling us that discretionary spending on vehicles has slowed. We have heard anecdotes of consumers trying to cut expenditures. For example, if they need a brake job, consumers may opt to just have the front brakes replaced and postpone the rear brakes for later. While there are operational and safety limits to what repairs can be postponed, this trend can provide context for how consumers are feeling.

3. Electric vehicles (EVs) coming out of warranty 

EVs were new just a few years ago and are now coming out of warranty and entering the aftermarket. EVs are highly technical and require very different skills, space and equipment to repair.  

4. Product and technology innovation 

The automotive aftermarket is renowned for its innovation. Aftermarket manufacturers often design high-quality replacement parts that are as good, if not better, than those supplied by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). 

5. A technology-driven space 

Vehicle maintenance today is very different from years ago. Modern vehicles can easily have 30,000 unique parts and some vehicles have more lines of software code than even the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Auto technicians are as likely to have a digital diagnostic device in their hands as they might a wrench. 

6. Succession planning 

As the workforce ages into retirement, succession planning is a major concern. This is especially prevalent among the independent repair shop owners. 

7. Industry consolidation

The industry is seeing a healthy clip of consolidation. Greenwhich Capital Group reported 29 transactions in the first quarter of 2025 — the highest level in eight quarters. Industry consolidation is one answer to succession planning. Another is that consolidation may allow buyers to exchange volume purchasing for discounts amid economic uncertainty. Finally, the aftermarket’s resistance to economic downturns is an attractive investment for private capital. 

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Credentialed media are eligible to receive complimentary passes to AAPEX 2025, which is being held in Las Vegas from November 4-6, 2025. If you are new to AAPEX, start here; if you’ve received a media pass in the past, you can renew here. Questions? Send them to [email protected].

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