53% of aftermarket professionals polled say they have observed demand for lower-cost parts and services grow, yet quality is still the “top influence” for customer preference, suggesting many buyers are shopping for value 

LAS VEGAS – March 24, 2026 – Demand for lower-cost parts and services is on the rise in the automotive aftermarket, according to the inaugural “State of the Automotive Aftermarket Survey” (opens in PDF) published today by AAPEX.  

A little more than half (53%) of the 448 North American aftermarket professionals who responded said they have observed demand for lower-cost parts and services grow. Open-ended comments about this question provide some context:

• Price sensitivity. “I am hearing complaints from our customers that the price of parts has gotten out of hand. Both aftermarket and OEM suppliers.”

• Quality gets lost in a spreadsheet. “Lower-grade products are still being distributed in the aftermarket.  Quality matters to a point, but spreadsheet buyers do not buy quality until returns outweigh the profit margins.”

• Essential purchases only. “People don’t seem to have the disposable income they seemed to have before and are cutting back to necessities.”

By contrast, just 4% reported seeing demand for lower prices decline. Another 38% say demand for prices has been stable – not moving up or down.

Open-ended comments from respondents suggest consumers are holding onto their existing cars longer because the price of new cars has spiked. Consumers appear to be shopping for the best value in repair parts, rather than the lowest priced. 

The price sensitivity is a real challenge for many aftermarket businesses. “Developing competitive pricing” (31%) was among the top three challenges survey takers said are facing the market. That challenge trailed only “uncertainty” (45%) and “attracting skilled talent” (36%). 

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Quality is still the top influence on buyer preference

While many aftermarket respondents are feeling customer pressure for lower prices, buyers aren’t necessarily looking for the cheapest option. When the survey asked respondents to identify the single top influence of customer preference, quality (34%) was the top choice. This was predicated by low prices (25%), availability (20%), and brand reputation (16%). 

It seems that consumers have legitimate concerns about costs, but keeping a vehicle operating safely is still the priority. Suffice to say, people are looking for “value” – the highest quality part at the lowest price point.

Inventories rise, EV investments in doubt

The 15-question survey asked respondents about a range of issues facing the automotive aftermarket. Below are a few of the other key findings:

• Inventories are on the rise. 38% of respondents are managing higher inventories of parts, compared to 20% who say they are managing fewer parts.

• Supply chain diversification. 70% of respondents have completed diversifying their suppliers (6%), are in the planning stages (18%), or have plans in progress (46%).

• EV investments. More respondents (26%) said they will invest less in the EV segment, compared to 17% who will invest more. Another 27% said they will invest about the same as last year. The kicker is that a plurality (29%) is unsure. 

• Customer service is the top AI initiative. 21% of respondents have implemented enterprise-grade AI tools, and another 20% are in the planning stages. Of those implementing enterprise AI, the top areas of AI investment are customer service (60%), inventory management (42%), and product development (36%). 

The full report is available here: 2026 State of the Automotive Aftermarket Survey Report (opens in PDF) – no registration is required. 

About the survey

AAPEX conducted this survey online from February 18, 2026, until March 4, 2026. Responses were solicited by email and sent to engaged members of the AAPEX community, who have opted in to receive communications and identified as working in North America, including the U.S. and Canada.

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AAPEX 2026 will be held from November 3–5, 2026, in Las Vegas, NV at The Venetian Expo & Caesars Forum. See the exhibitor prospectus for exhibiting details. Complimentary passes are available to the media; email: [email protected]. 

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