Maile announces trends in the rapidly growing automotive aftermarket

German automotive parts company MEYLE has announced that, based on its '2026 Aftermarket Trend Analysis Report' analysing major shifts in the global automotive aftermarket, the global automotive aftermarket is rapidly restructuring this year, driven by vehicle ageing, electrification, the shift to digital purchasing, and increased consumer price sensitivity.

According to MEYLE's report, the global automotive aftermarket is expected to maintain growth in the medium to long term. The number of vehicles in operation is projected to increase to 1.8 billion by 2033, with the majority being passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.

In particular, the increase in vehicle numbers in emerging markets such as China and India, along with the global trend of longer vehicle ownership periods, is expected to create new demand and opportunities for the aftermarket.

In the South Korean market, the rapidly growing number of imported vehicles and the increase in vehicles whose warranty periods have expired are driving greater interest in parts supply and after-sales maintenance. Consequently, demand for aftermarket services offering reasonable costs and reliable quality is expected to expand steadily.

The market size is also showing a growth trend. The global automotive aftermarket is estimated to have reached approximately $2.25 trillion in total market size in 2024, and is expected to grow from $457 billion in 2026 to $605 billion in 2034, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6% over this period.

Consumer purchasing patterns are also changing rapidly, driven by high inflation and vehicle ageing. A 2025 consumer survey conducted by global management strategy consultancy Roland Berger across 13 countries, including major automotive markets in Europe, the Americas, and Asia, cited in the report, showed that preference for original equipment parts decreased year-on-year in many countries, while preference for aftermarket brand parts increased by 14%.

This highlights the growing importance of parts brands that combine quality and price competitiveness in the aftermarket.

Electrification is also a key factor in the structural change of the aftermarket. While the expansion of electric vehicle adoption may reduce demand for some internal combustion engine-specific parts, it is simultaneously rapidly increasing demand for maintenance related to high-voltage components, thermal management, suspension, tyres, sensors, and Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS).

According to the report, trust in aftermarket garages among electric vehicle owners increased to 70% in 2025 for simple repairs. However, technical expertise remains a key challenge for complex electric vehicle repairs.

In particular, for electric vehicles, demand is expected to surge for independent garages as owners seek to avoid the high repair costs of official service centres after the warranty period expires. Consequently, branded garages offering reasonable prices, high-quality parts, and technical repair capabilities are expected to grow significantly.

In South Korea, as the number of electric vehicles with expired warranties increases, demand for vehicle management and reasonably priced maintenance services post-warranty is expected to grow. However, as repair information and specialist expertise for electric vehicles have not yet been sufficiently accumulated, the premium aftermarket is considered an early-stage market with significant growth potential.

MEYLE, which provides not only parts distribution but also specialist maintenance services for imported vehicles in the South Korean market, recorded over 50% growth in the South Korean market last year.

The advancement of vehicle technology in the era of autonomous driving is also cited as a new growth factor for the aftermarket. As modern vehicles incorporate ADAS, over-the-air updates, predictive maintenance, and numerous electronic control units, new competitive factors are emerging, including sensor replacement, camera calibration, software reprogramming, and parts compatibility.

In South Korea, MEYLE operates the premium imported vehicle maintenance brand 'MEYLE Auto Service' alongside parts distribution, and it is growing year on year, currently reaching 61 service centres nationwide. South Korea is the only one of the 123 countries where German MEYLE operates in which the company provides not only parts manufacturing but also brand-responsible maintenance services.