Aug. 25, 2025
The release of the 2025 Global Top 100 Automotive Parts Ranking is more than a reshuffling of corporate standings—it reveals profound shifts across the industry value chain. With 15 Chinese companies making the list and 10 posting revenue growth despite a sluggish market, China’s performance stands out. CATL ranked 5th, Desay SV posted a 25% revenue increase, and Ningbo Tuopu surged 33%, signaling a structural transformation in the automotive aftermarket.
High-End Replacement Accelerates: CATL commands 37% of the global EV battery market, while new players like SVOLT have entered the Top 100. This is driving deeper penetration of NEV core components (battery, motor, electronic control) in the aftermarket service ecosystem, squeezing the share of traditional fuel system components.
Smart Components as a Growth Driver: Desay SV derives 15.2% of revenue from intelligent cockpit systems, with a 23.9% market share in domain controllers in China. This means aftermarket service providers must upgrade diagnostic equipment and technical training to handle intelligent and connected vehicle components.
Export Gains Feeding Back to Domestic Market: Ningbo Tuopu, leveraging a “Tier 0.5 model” (deep R&D integration with OEMs), supplies premium components like air suspensions to brands such as Seres and Li Auto. Large-scale production will ultimately reduce replacement costs for the aftermarket.
Despite global EV penetration reaching only ~20% in 2024, hybrid vehicle demand soared 75%—posing dual challenges for the aftermarket.
Extended Lifespan of ICE Vehicles: In Europe, average vehicle age exceeds 10 years, sustaining strong demand for chassis parts and engine components. Chinese suppliers reported 10x growth in German sales of shock absorbers and jacks, highlighting that traditional repair services remain the backbone of revenue.
Rising Barriers to NEV Maintenance: SK On’s revenue plunged 54% as U.S. and European OEMs delayed EV rollouts, exposing risks tied to volatile tech pathways. Independent repair shops without three-electric (battery, motor, electronic control) service authorization risk being marginalized.
Geopolitical tensions and trade barriers are forcing aftermarket players to restructure their operations.
Nearshoring in the West: Following a 25% U.S. tariff hike, Lear and Faurecia are expanding domestic manufacturing. Chinese parts exporters may need to pivot through Southeast Asia or Mexico to maintain competitiveness.
China’s Localization Play: Sailun Group, with 75% of revenue from overseas, has built plants in Vietnam and Cambodia to mitigate trade risks—enabling more localized supply for global aftermarket customers.
The Top 100 ranking sends a clear signal: relying solely on traditional ICE components or betting everything on pure EVs is unwise. Success in the coming years will hinge on three capabilities:
Technical Compatibility: Building multi-path service networks for ICE, hybrid, and EV vehicles.
Supply Chain Resilience: Regional warehousing, localized certification, and flexible logistics to counter trade friction.
Data-Driven Edge: Servicing intelligent components requires OTA access and software integration—OEM data authorization will be critical.
Industry consolidation has only just begun. With Toyota and Volkswagen accelerating EV strategies, European and American suppliers may mount a counteroffensive by 2026–2027. To maintain its lead, China must push breakthroughs in chips and software algorithms—the core technologies defining the “software-defined vehicle” era.
Change is here. Only the adaptive will thrive.
For more industry insights, visit the 38th China International Auto Service, Products & Equipment Exhibition
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