This is a recent study developped by Roland Berger in collaboration with FIGIEFA.
 
The automotive industry sector is one of Europe's key economic sectors and the third-largest spending category by consumers, after housing and food. Within the industry sector, the aftermarket plays a crucial role in supporting the use, maintenance and repair of vehicles. It represents a market of around EUR 118 billion in parts alone within the European Union, of which the multi-brand independent aftermarket (IAM) makes up EUR 73 billion or around 62%. The IAM is particularly important when it comes to parts, servicing and repairs for vehicles that are more than four years old – around 195 million vehicles, or 70% of those currently on European roads.
 
Why, then, is the multi-brand independent aftermarket sometimes viewed as something of an afterthought within the industry? It represents a key profit pool for Europe's automotive sector, enables road-based mobility, maintains essential service vehicles, keeps mobility affordable and improves the sustainability of road-based transportation. Indeed, its role is fundamental throughout the vehicle lifetime – and we believe that it deserves greater recognition as a key element of the value chain within the industry.
 
For the purpose of this report, we surveyed more than 380 members of FIGIEFA, the European Federation of Independent Automotive Aftermarket Distributors, located across Europe. Based on the results of this survey and additional interviews with the chief executive officers of more than two dozen major independent parts distribution groups, corporates and FIGIEFA national member associations, combined with the expertise of Roland Berger's specialists, we identify a number of key trends in the market. In this report, we present the results of our investigation and our insights into how the role of the IAM may change in the future, arguing the case for why the IAM needs to be rebranded in a way that recognizes its vital place in the automotive industry – as an active contributor to Europe's competitiveness and the European economy as a whole.

Download the full study now: https://content.rolandberger.com/hubfs/07_presse/European%20Independent%20Automotive%20Aftermarket%20Panorama_final.pdf