The motor vehicle aftermarket is a significant sector of the U.S. economy employing approximately 4.5 million people. This industry encompasses all products and services purchased for light and heavy duty vehicles after the original sale including replacement parts, accessories, lubricants, appearance products, service repairs as well as the tools and equipment necessary to make the repair.
Overall aftermarket sales increased in 2007 to $285.5 billion, an increase of 4.0 percent from 2006. Sales in the automotive aftermarket (cars and light trucks) totaled $211.4 billion and sales in the heavy duty vehicle aftermarket totaled $74.1 billion.