Automotive E-commerce Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Component Type (Infotainment & Multimedia, Engine Components, Tires & Wheels, Interior Accessories, and Electrical Products), By Vendor Type (OEM Vendor and Third-party Vendor), By Vehicle Type (Passenger Car, Commercial Vehicle, and Two-wheeler), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global automotive e-commerce market size was valued at USD 86.55 billion in 2023. The market is projected to grow from USD 100.14 billion in 2024 to USD 343.13 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 16.6% during the forecast period.

The automotive e-commerce market has witnessed significant growth in recent years, driven by the increasing digitization of automotive retail and consumer preferences for online shopping. This market encompasses online selling of automotive parts, accessories, and vehicles through various e-commerce platforms and websites. With the convenience of shopping from home and the availability of a wide range of products online, consumers are increasingly turning to e-commerce channels to purchase automotive goods.

Key players in the automotive industry, including OEMs, aftermarket suppliers, and third-party sellers, have embraced e-commerce as a crucial sales channel to reach customers worldwide. These players leverage e-commerce platforms to showcase their products, provide detailed product information, and offer convenient purchasing options, such as online payments and doorstep delivery. Furthermore, technological advancements, such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are enhancing the online shopping experience for automotive consumers. These technologies enable customers to visualize products, receive personalized recommendations, and make informed purchasing decisions.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the automotive e-commerce market as lockdowns and social distancing measures led to a surge in online shopping. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the growth of the automotive e-commerce market as lockdowns and social distancing measures prompted consumers to shift toward online shopping. This shift in consumer behavior accelerated the adoption of online shopping in the automotive sector, driving growth in the e-commerce market.

Automotive E-commerce Market Trends

Increasing E-commerce Spending on Automotive is a Prominent Trend

The emergence of automotive e-commerce offers significant new sales opportunities for OEMs, dealers, and other digital car sellers. The online shopping of automotive parts and components through third-party vendors, such as Amazon.com, Inc., O’Reilly Auto Parts, and Alibaba Group Holding Limited, is expected to show the fastest growth in this industry over the forecast period.

Automotive E-commerce Market Growth Factors

Increasing Demand for Omni-channel Insights to Drive the Growth of the Market

The availability of a broad range of automobiles, auto parts, and components online is driving the market growth. Today, automotive customers increasingly prefer to shop for auto parts and components online. Therefore, the automotive industry is witnessing a major shift toward automotive e-commerce platforms. The market is quite competitive, and the vendors are concentrating on offering services, including vehicle service appointments, used vehicle purchases, and trade-ins. Furthermore, they are aiming at competitive pricing models to gain an advantage over traditional retailers. For instance, Tesla, Carvana, Vroom, and Walmart have positioned themselves to fill the gap left by traditional vehicle makers and dealers in fulfilling the rising demand from online car buyers. Tesla offers new and used vehicles directly to customers; Carvana and Vroom sell used cars directly to customers; and Walmart sells new and used cars through a network of dealers representing all major manufacturers. In addition, the availability of a broad range of automobiles and auto parts online, lower costs than traditional retail, 24/7 access, and price transparency will considerably drive the growth of this industry. Moreover, rising investment by third-party e-commerce companies in automotive components and vehicle sales online will boost market growth. For instance, third-party vendors, such as Amazon.com, O’Reilly Auto Parts, and Alibaba Group Holdings Limited, are expected to showcase the fastest growth.

Burgeoning Consumer Confidence in Online Shopping is Poised to Drive Market Growth Positively.

The increasing comfort of consumers with online purchasing has significantly impacted the growth of the global automotive e-commerce market. As digital literacy and internet penetration rates continue to rise globally, consumers are becoming more accustomed to shopping online for a wide range of products, including automotive goods. This trend has been further pushed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many consumers to rely on online channels for purchasing due to lockdowns and social distancing measures.

Exponential growth in online retail reflects the growing preference for the convenience, flexibility, and accessibility offered by e-commerce platforms. Automotive e-commerce, in particular, has witnessed significant traction as consumers increasingly seek the convenience of purchasing automotive parts, accessories, and even vehicles online. According to a recent survey of buyers in the U.S. by Cox Automotive, consumer satisfaction with car buying has increased with digitization, reaching an all-time high of 72% in 2020, up from 60% in 2019. Today, 80% of consumers say they want to make at least part of their vehicle purchase online. 64% of car buyers want to handle more of their purchases online than when they purchased a vehicle.

Furthermore, technological advancements and the availability of user-friendly e-commerce platforms have enhanced the online shopping experience for automotive consumers. Features, such as virtual product demonstrations, 360-degree views, and easy-to-navigate interfaces, have made it easier for consumers to research, compare, and purchase automotive products online. Moreover, the proliferation of mobile devices and the widespread adoption of mobile shopping apps have further facilitated the growth of the automotive e-commerce market. With smartphones becoming ubiquitous, consumers can conveniently shop for automotive products anytime and anywhere, contributing to the overall expansion of the e-commerce ecosystem.

Overall, the increasing comfort of consumers with online purchasing, coupled with the convenience and accessibility offered by e-commerce platforms, has fueled the growth of the global automotive e-commerce market, with robust projections for continued expansion in the coming years.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Increasing Share of Counterfeiting of Automotive Parts Will Be a Restraint for the Market Growth

The increasing availability of counterfeit auto parts and components is expected to restrict the market growth. Various manufacturers produce replicas of genuine/original auto parts and retail at lower prices. The counterfeit market generally targets segments that are easy to copy and have a high turnover rate, such as tie rods, steering arms, windshields, tail lamps, headlamps, bumpers, and filters. The demand for counterfeit auto parts is growing worldwide due to a surge in the number of auto part manufacturers. These components are of low grade and break down very often. It builds a negative image, thus affecting automotive e-commerce sales. The biggest downside to automotive e-commerce is security. People are afraid to provide personal and financial information, although there have been some improvements in data encryption. Certain websites cannot perform authentic transactions. The fear of giving information about credit cards and identity risk is limiting the growth of electronic commerce. People rely on electronic images to buy products. Sometimes, the product does not match the electronic pictures when it is delivered, as it may not meet the needs of buyers. The lack of "feel and touch" prevents people from buying through automotive e-commerce.

Automotive E-commerce Market Segmentation Analysis

By Component Type Analysis

Engine Components Segment to Lead Backed by Rising Number of Aging Vehicles

Based on component type, the global market is segmented into infotainment & multimedia, engine components, tires & wheels, interior accessories, and electrical products.

The engine components segment holds the major share in the market due to the constant surge in the ageing of vehicles and vehicles in operation. The auto parts covered under engine components are pistons & rings, bearings, engine block & cylinder heads, and valves & filters. Moreover, tires & wheels require frequent replacement as they wear out quickly, thereby propelling the segment growth.

By Vendor Type Analysis

Ability to Provide Rapid Delivery Service Will Propel the Third-party Vendor Segments

Based on vendor type, this market is segmented into OEM vendors and third-party vendors.

The third-party vendor type segment accounts for the major market share and is also projected to dominate the market during the forecast period. This is attributable to the ability of third-party vendors to fulfil customer expectations through rapid delivery and exceptional service networks, and they are also engaged in discount programs to attract customers.

By Vehicle Type Analysis

Passenger Car Segment to Remain at Forefront Due to Increasing Sales Worldwide

Based on vehicle type, this market is segmented into passenger car, commercial vehicle, and two-wheeler.

The passenger car segment accounts for the major market share and is also projected to dominate the market over the forecast period. This is attributable to the growing sales of passenger vehicles. E-retailers use optimized and advanced search engines to improve customer experience. End-users can use such search engines to select passenger cars by applying filters on several parameters such as vehicle specifications, price, vehicle trim, vehicle make, vehicle features, and exterior colour. Most vendors also enable end-users to compare various passenger cars, which helps in the customer buying decision. All these parameters are increasing customer propensity for automotive e-retail, which is driving the segment growth.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Geographically, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. 

North America will dominate the market due to rising demand for hassle-free purchasing, the presence of well-developed infrastructure, the growing preference of regional consumers for online shopping, and the high demand for premium and luxury cars.

In Asia Pacific, the market is expected to emerge as one of the most lucrative regional markets due to the presence of key automotive e-commerce companies such as Alibaba Group, Amazon.com, eBay Inc., and Flipkart Internet Private Limited. Government initiatives, such as Digital India, and partnerships between brick & mortar stores and e-commerce platform providers are further anticipated to boost the market.

Moreover, in terms of growth, Europe is expected to become the second-fastest-growing market during 2024–2032. Europe is one of the main markets for automotive e-commerce due to the growth in e-commerce.

The rest of the world is expected to register average growth from 2024 to 2032. Factors such as the continuously evolving e-commerce market in Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, along with the development of advanced channels offering superior logistics support, are expected to fuel the market growth in those regions.

List of Key Companies in Automotive E-commerce Market

Key Market Players to Focus on Collaborations and Partnership Strategies to Gain Competitive Edge

This market is highly competitive and fragmented, with the presence of key market players such as O’Reilly Auto Parts, Amazon.com, Inc., Alibaba Group Holding Limited, AutoZone, Inc., Advance Auto Parts, Delticom AG, eBay Inc., and Walmart. The major companies are focusing on acquisition, expansion, and collaboration strategies to strengthen their position in the industry. For instance, in December 2019, Advance Auto Parts announced the acquisition of DieHard. The acquisition gave the company the right to sell DieHard batteries on its e-commerce platform. The acquisition enabled Advance Auto Parts to improve its offering in the automotive aftermarket part and accessories category.

Amazon is a leading multinational e-commerce company based in America. Apart from e-commerce, the company also focuses on cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. Additionally, it is also one of the leading companies in the IT industry of the United States. Moreover, Amazon also manufactures and sells electronic devices globally. The company offers various automotive aftermarket replacement parts, tools, and accessories through its online retail shopping services. Amazon is rapidly growing as an automotive aftermarket e-commerce platform by collaborating with major automotive parts and service providers to offer its customers a wide range of in-demand auto parts and installation convenience.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• O’Reilly Auto Parts (U.S.)


• Amazon (U.S.)


• Alibaba Group Holding Limited (China)


• AutoZone, Inc. (U.S.)


• Advance Auto Parts (U.S.)


• Delticom AG (Germany)


• eBay Inc. (U.S.)


• Walmart (U.S.)


• Bosch Auto Parts (Germany)


• Flipkart (India)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• January 2024 - FordDirect, a joint venture between Ford dealers, Lincoln retailers, and Ford Motor Company, unveiled its latest e-commerce platform, 'The Shop’ to assist dealers in navigating the evolving landscape of the retail automotive business. The Shop, powered by FordDirect, offers dealers a centralized platform featuring vetted vendors with prenegotiated prices for essential products and services.


• December 2023 - Transtar Holding Company formed NexaMotion Group. This group will look for automotive aftermarket businesses that serve automotive professionals with parts through distribution and e-commerce solutions, including Transtar Industries, Transend, C&M Auto Parts, King-O-Matic, TransMart, RECONTM, and Pro-King Automotive Products.


• January 2022- Amazon and automaker Stellantis announced a strategic partnership to develop cars and trucks with Amazon software in the dashboards and deploy and make Stellantis on Amazon's delivery network.


• November 2021- Wipro introduced Click-Shift-Drive, a new automotive e-commerce solution that allows dealers and automakers to offer online services ranging from product comparison, loan approval, buying, and delivery.


• October 2021- Autodoc announced its dominance in the European automotive e-commerce market as the largest online automotive store in 2020. Within Germany, the online sales of automotive parts and accessories were worth around USD 3.7 billion in 2020. This was 13% of the overall market value of USD 27.9 billion.  

REPORT COVERAGE

The report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on key aspects such as leading companies, product types, and leading applications of the product. Besides this, the report offers insights into the automotive e-commerce market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market in recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation