Today, we are watching the automotive market shift into high gear. With accelerating digitalization, logistics bottlenecks, and elevated customer expectations, the future of automotive retail poses new challenges to auto parts sellers. Increased competition is just one of them. 

But, with that, the rapidly scaling automotive industry promises new growth opportunities provided that you timely spot the changes in the market and adjust your business accordingly! 

That said, we’ve compiled the hottest auto parts eCommerce facts and predictions to navigate you in the highly dynamic automotive sector.

The Most Obvious Trends in the Automotive Aftermarket Sector

1. The future of automotive retail is omnichannel. By bridging the digital and physical shopping experiences for their customers, auto parts retailers can create more opportunities to personalize each auto parts buying journey to best suit a customer’s needs. That said, moving your offline store online is no longer an option, but a necessity dictated by the new normal.
2. Customer demand for car parts is at the forefront. Due to the effects inflation had on the cost and availability of new vehicles, namely chip shortages and tightened consumer budgets, auto enthusiasts prefer keeping their old cars running instead of purchasing new ones.
3. Government regulations affect the automotive sector. Stricter government car emissions and safety regulations unveiled the need for more environmentally friendly and high-efficiency car parts. So it’s logical that aftermarket parts such as catalytic converters and electronic chips are in high demand as owners invest in their older vehicles to make them more fuel-efficient and ecologically safe.
4. Supply chain issues are here to stay. Although the fulfillment rates at auto parts stores have improved since the pandemic, some retailers still face supply issues with manufacturers and suppliers trying to fill orders. According to Atmosphere, when a part number is officially out of stock, it could take three to five months to fill all backorders properly.

Summing Up

Overall, automotive retailers feel optimistic about the future. The demand for aftermarket products is expected to grow in 2023 and beyond.

However, the automotive aftermarket industry is no longer what it used to be. As consumers shift their focus online, retailers have to embrace the digital-first buyer to stay competitive — and this is the best way to evolve with changing times. 

Getting into automotive eCommerce requires a unique solution that is customizable and scalable enough to fulfill the needs of automotive businesses. X-Cart Automotive is one such solution. So, if you want a high-quality eCommerce platform to sell car parts online, we are here to provide you with all the must-have automotive features and assist you as you start and along the way.