The AAPEX Media Guide frames the U.S.
Las Vegas has long served as the backdrop for the automotive aftermarket’s big-picture view, and the newest AAPEX Media Guide underscores a market that’s not just large but increasingly vital to keeping millions of cars on the road. The guide notes the United States has an aging—yet still highly active—vehicle fleet: AAPEX cites about 291 million vehicles in operation with an average age of roughly 12.8 years in 2025. Globally, the aftermarket is estimated at $2.3 trillion, with the top 30 countries accounting for more than 90% of that commerce and the United States leading the list. The guide projects a domestic market near $435 billion in 2025—about 1.5% of 2024 U.S. GDP—supported by a supply chain of roughly 6,700 manufacturers and a retail network of about 283,700 outlets delivering tens of thousands of distinct components for today’s vehicles. Those findings draw on two major reports: the 2025 Joint Channel Forecast produced by MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, the Auto Care Association and S&P Global Market Intelligence, and the 2025 Auto Care Factbook, bringing manufacturers, distributors and retailers into a coordinated view. “The automotive aftermarket is the biggest market many Americans have never heard of,” said Auto Care Association vice president Mark Bogdansky, underscoring the crucial role independent repair shops and the broader supply chain play in keeping vehicles on the road. The guide also notes the sector employs roughly 5 million people and highlights that each modern vehicle model can include an estimated 30,000 unique parts. In scale terms, AAPEX continues to attract both buyers and suppliers: last year’s show drew about 45,000 attendees from 128 countries and hosted more than 2,600 manufacturers and suppliers across 557,800 square feet of exhibit space.
The fleet-aging trend is a driver of demand and a cornerstone of the aftermarket’s resilience. S&P Global Mobility’s May 2025 analysis reports the U.S. light-vehicle fleet at about 289 million vehicles in operation with an average age of 12.8 years—passenger cars averaging roughly 14.5 years and light trucks about 11.9 years. While AAPEX cites 291 million vehicles, and S&P Global Mobility reports about 289 million, both sources convey the same direction: owners are holding vehicles longer, which increases maintenance, repair and parts demand. Even with high vehicle prices and elevated interest rates slowing new-vehicle turnover, the aftermarket’s role as a maintenance and uptime ecosystem—anchored by independent shops and a broad distribution network—remains evident.
The AAPEX show itself reflects this dynamic, serving as a key meeting point for buyers seeking new products and suppliers aiming to connect with repair shops and vehicle owners that keep the country’s cars and light trucks on the road. Attendee and buyer profiles reinforce how business gets done at the event: roughly 64% of buyers reported holding authority to make purchasing decisions and another 35% said they influence buying. Nearly half of attendees (about 45%) reported C-suite titles, followed by managers (26%), technicians and skilled trades (16%) and support staff (12%). The show is also drawing younger professionals—about 40% of attendees were under 44, with Millennials making up 29% and Generation Z about 10.5%.
Top reasons attendees cited for coming to AAPEX were finding new products and innovations (65%), finding new suppliers (58%), maintaining existing relationships (54%) and expanding networking (54%). MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers vice president Liz Goad noted that trade uncertainty, reshoring trends, and an aging vehicle fleet that increasingly requires maintenance make supplier discovery and relationship-building central to AAPEX 2025, and that the reimagined show floor is intended to help attendees connect with relevant suppliers more easily.
Looking ahead, forecasters expect the U.S. light-vehicle aftermarket to keep growing as the fleet continues to age and demand for maintenance and repairs persists amid high vehicle prices and supply-chain pressures. The 2025 Joint Channel Forecast from MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, the Auto Care Association and S&P Global Market Intelligence projects the market near $435 billion in 2025, with a path toward exceeding $500 billion by 2028 as channels shift and service-led growth expands. Auto Care Association materials likewise anticipate continued expansion through 2028, noting a large base of licensed drivers and evolving e-commerce and trade-policy dynamics shaping the market. For manufacturers, distributors, repairers and retailers across the aftermarket supply chain, the takeaway is clear: an aging fleet, steady demand, and a fast-moving trade environment will continue to drive investment in parts, tools, data and service capabilities through the remainder of the decade.
Source: Noah Wire Services
