In the early days of the automobile industry, vehicle manufacturers made most of their parts and components going into the make-up of a car themselves in their factories. They then changed their approach in particular to reduce their prices, their purchasing costs and therefore their cost price, and also to benefit from more substantial innovations by calling on a multitude of partners. Vehicle manufacturers increasingly contracted out the manufacture of their parts by using either subcontractors or independent manufacturers. They thus gradually became co-designers and assemblers.

The proportion of parts purchased externally by vehicle manufacturers today accounts for 75 to 80% of a car. The major international OEMs no longer position themselves as purely parts manufacturers, but as systems integrators capable of not only manufacturing but also developing entire functions which they then offer to vehicle manufacturers all over the world.

The replacement parts market in France was worth nearly 13 billion euros in 2014 (excluding labour and operations under warranty). The sector, excluding protected parts, generates a turnover in aftersales of 10.5 billion euros, split between vehicle manufacturers’ aftersales networks and the independent repair and maintenance networks deployed by purchasing alliances, auto centres, specialist repair shops, mass retail brands, online players, etc.

More than 37,000 points of sale (repair shops, retailers and distributors) in France, with an interest in the suppliers showing at EQUIP AUTO make up the pool of domestic visitors invited to meet the show’s exhibitors.

With nearly 30% of non-French visitors, mainly interested in the parts and equipment range, and 60% of suppliers from abroad, EQUIP AUTO confirms its international status at each of its successive editions.