This report looks at the following areas:
- Changes in repair and maintenance costs for vehicles of different energy types
- Channel selection for various maintenance and repair services
- Information channels for learning about car maintenance services and products
- Aftermarket supplies purchases and purchasing channels
- Interest in car additions and modifications
- Aftermarket experiences and attitudes
Competition in the car aftermarket is intensifying as monopolies gradually break up and internet car maintenance platforms join the fray. More and more aftermarket products and services are coming to the forefront, heralding the start of the 'new retail' era for the car aftermarket.
Keiyou Wang, Director, China Insights
Market Definitions
The car aftermarket is defined as the products and services offered in response to the activity of consumers after purchasing a car. In this Report, this includes car maintenance, repair, detailing and sales of accessories. It excludes commercial vehicles, car financing products (eg car loans and leases), the second-hand car market and car insurance.
‘Cars’ in this report are defined as passenger cars for private individuals. These are further categorised into fuel cars, plug-in electric hybrids (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
This Report covers 3,000 car owners aged 18-59 who purchased a car within six years and are responsible for car maintenance, and investigates trends and changes in their attitudes and behaviour in relation to the car aftermarket. Among them, there are 2,383 fuel car owners, 326 PHEV owners and 291 BEV owners.
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Executive summary
- Key issues covered in this Report
- Definition
- Executive summary
- The market
- The transformation of the car aftermarket is in full swing, and market size is clearly growing
- Graph 1: car aftermarket value sales, 2018-24 (est)
- Free competition is intensifying, with rising demand for innovative services
- Marketing activities
- New product trends
- The consumer
- Overall maintenance costs have increased, and the risk of repair cost is high for premium BEVs
- Graph 2: maintenance and repair costs, by energy type and vehicle cost, 2024
- 4S stores remain strong but are coming under noticeable pressure for quick repairs and modifications
- Graph 3: choice of maintenance and repair channel, by energy type, 2024
- Car owners have strong demand for learning maintenance skills, with offline stores and vertical media the main channels
- Graph 4: information channels for car maintenance services and products, 2024
- The demand for interior and comfort items is strong, with significant market potential for automotive lifestyle and outdoor products
- The fun and interactivity of online channels make purchasing car accessories an entertaining and social experience
- Graph 5: [no title]
- Owners across all price ranges show a strong interest in additions/modifications, confirming the trend for ever ‘smarter’ in-car devices
- Graph 6: interest in additions and modifications, by city tier, 2024
- NEV owners have a strong desire to freely choose accessories
- Graph 7: select aftermarket experiences and attitudes, by energy type, 2024
- Issues and insights
- What we think
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The market
- Market size and forecast
- The transformation of the car aftermarket is in full swing, and market size is clearly growing
- Graph 8: car aftermarket value sales, 2018-24 (est)
- The car parc is steadily expanding, with aftermarket sales expected to hit RMB2.49tn in the next five years
- Market factors
- The state encourages the development of chains, but distribution and certification systems for parts still need to catch up
- Dealers are under significant operational pressure, and overall satisfaction has noticeably declined
- Graph 9: dealers’ overall profit structure, 2022-24
- Graph 10: dealer profitability, 2022-24
- Internet players are entering the car maintenance space, price competition increases
- New energy car numbers surge, highlighting the difficulty and high cost of repairs
- Graph 11: comparison of the prices of comparable components for new energy and traditional vehicles, 2023
- Graph 12: new energy passenger car penetration rate, Jan-Sep 2024
- Full lifecycle battery aftermarket promotes sustainability and circular battery management
- AI detection technology set to redefine the accuracy and real-time capabilities of the car repair and maintenance process
- Personalisation and scenario-based demand are rising, driving the growth of the modification market
- Graph 13: volume sales and share of officially personalised cars, 2021-23
- Marketing activities
- Connecting car maintenance with outdoor and cultural tourism experiences
- ‘Tyres that talk’ emphasise both environmental protection and safety, spotlight sustainability
- Cleverly leverage festivals for public welfare, expanding human-centred civic responsibility
- Focus on health and safety issues with seasonal driving
- Tell life stories to convey an honest brand persona
- The craftsmanship of technology lies in attention to detail and the pursuit of perfection
- New product trends
- Specific products for NEVs and specialist stores are gaining attention.
- Easy Joy launches new a Car Lifestyle channel, users can check in to receive discounts
- JD Auto Services introduces a professional evaluation system to guide choices
- Spare part traceability platforms solve the counterfeiting challenge
- Car-themed shopping centres help aftermarket brands move from behind the scenes onto the stage
- Standardised ‘scientific detailing and technological protection’ packages
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The consumer
- Spending on maintenance
- The average maintenance cost for fuel cars has nudged up, while expenses for BEVs remain elevated
- Graph 14: maintenance and repair costs, by energy type, 2022 vs 2023 vs 2024
- Premium BEVs carry a high risk of expensive repairs
- Graph 15: maintenance and repair costs, by energy type and vehicle cost, 2024
- Choice of maintenance and repair channel
- 4S stores remain strong but are coming under noticeable pressure for quick repairs and modifications
- Graph 16: choice of maintenance and repair channel, by energy type, 2024
- Online platforms are joining authorised partnerships with leading car companies, competing for the market in lower tier cities
- Graph 17: choice of maintenance and repair channel, by city tier and energy type, 2024
- New and nearly new cars with additional modifications are no longer niche
- Graph 18: choice of maintenance and repair channel – add-on modifications, by time of purchase, 2024
- Information channels for car maintenance services and products
- Car owners have strong demand for learning maintenance skills, with offline stores and vertical media the main channels
- Graph 19: information channels for car maintenance services and products, 2024
- Visual information display is more user-friendly for younger car owners
- Graph 20: information channels for car repair and maintenance tips, by age, 2024
- Graph 21: information channels for car personalisation and styles, by age, 2024
- Car accessories/supplies are not only essential but also fun
- Graph 22: information channels for car personalisation and styles, by monthly household income, 2024
- Channels for purchasing aftermarket products
- The demand for interior and comfort items is strong, with significant market potential for automotive lifestyle and outdoor products
- Graph 23: purchase of aftermarket products, 2024
- Graph 24: purchase channels for aftermarket supplies, 2024
- More BEV owners purchase detailing and maintenance products themselves
- Graph 25: purchase channels for aftermarket supplies*, by energy type, 2024
- The penetration of automotive lifestyle and outdoor products is low in lower tier cities, perhaps due to social habits
- Graph 26: purchase channels for aftermarket supplies – automotive lifestyle and outdoor supplies*, by city tier, 2024
- Interest in additions and modifications
- Owners across all price ranges show a strong interest in additions/modifications, confirming the trend for ever  ‘smarter’ in-car devices
- Graph 27: interest in additions and modifications, by city tier, 2024
- Younger car owners are more interested in modifying powertrains, and car modification culture is poised to go mainstream
- Graph 28: interest in additions and modifications, by age, 2024
- Aftermarket experiences and attitudes
- Owners of NEVs are more willing to freely choose accessories
- Graph 29: select aftermarket experiences and attitudes, by energy type, 2024
- PHEVs receive more criticism on battery-related issues
- Graph 30: select aftermarket experiences and attitudes, by energy type, 2024
- The penetration rate of online appointment services has reached nearly 40%
- Graph 31: select aftermarket experiences and attitudes, by age, 2024
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Issues and insights
- From cross-sector shopping centres to community 4S stores, explore innovative ‘new retail’ opportunities in the car aftermarket
- Individual creativity cuts across price brackets, while trendy modifications represent a feel for technology and fashion
- Don’t just be seen, be experienced: attracting traffic and conveying innovation are key
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Appendix – methodology and abbreviations
- Methodology
- Abbreviations
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