America the pragmatic

The quartet supplies independent repair shops in all corners of the country. The repair sector itself is structured around approximately fifty chains of workshops, some of which are listed on the stock exchange, all of which comprise thousands of service points scattered across the country, either franchised or owned: chains with a clearly modelled concept, like Monroe and Midas. Retailers have set up distribution points within a few miles of these thousands of garages to serve them at the counter or deliver directly. This is a level of close coverage that wholesalers, who own the remaining 25% of the market, do not have. “To survive in this remaining and still highly fragmented segment, players continue to concentrate the market and consolidate their supplies, supply chain and distribution operations”, says Thierry Mugnier (CEO of Nexus North America).

The car reigns supreme in the Land of Uncle Sam, where people drive a lot, with increasingly older vehicles and a clear preference for ‘Do It Yourself’ (DIY) repairs. A two-year survey of 24,000 drivers conducted by GiPA (an international specialist in consumer and trade automotive studies) paints a picture of a resilient market, where electric vehicles will struggle without subsidies and where independent operators are inexorably eating into dealership market share. According to Allal Boukouch, international project director, "annual mileage is around 17,400 km, but it is the age of the fleet that changes the economic picture: 12.8 years rising to 13 years in two to three years' time! While SUVs are relatively young (10.5 years), pick-ups are already 16 years old! This fleet structure is a godsend for the independent aftermarket, which is fragmented but powerful!" he says. He estimated this IAM scope to comprise at least 25% independent garages, 20% repair chains, 13% tyre dealers and the same number of quick-lube centres. There is fierce competition in the quick oil change segment, with three players (Valvoline, Jiffy Lube and Take 5) controlling half of the 8,000 centres in the country.

36% of operations are carried out by vehicle owners themselves, driven by the success of online parts platforms such as Buy-on-Fit. However, this does not mean workshops are being deserted. Frequency remains stable at 2 visits per year: preventive maintenance accounts for 64% of visits, oil changes generate 40% of traffic, and the average spend remains at $274. “In this market, where affordability is becoming a major concern – exacerbated by fears of new tariffs –, the criteria for choosing a repairer are clear: trust and proximity for independent repairers, versus warranty and trust for manufacturers, and proximity and immediate availability for quick-lube shops”, says Allal Boukouch. Auro repairs remain a market driven by maintenance, volume and proximity. The next battle will be around the ability to service an ageing fleet without sending customers' bills skyrocketing.

Read the french version

His immersive experience in the United States has given him a better understanding of the conventions of the world's leading market and opened the doors even wider to a thriving business for his group. The only requirement in this ultra-responsive market is pragmatism. Thierry Mugnier, Chief Financial & Innovation Officer of NEXUS Group, explains.

Read more...

Between rampant inflation, the end of subsidies for electric vehicles and customs tarifs, motorists across the Atlantic are playing the extension card. Against this backdrop, the ‘Big Four’ distributors are consolidating their empire in a €450 billion market. The consultant Alexander Gruzdev offers us his analysis.

Read more...

Small in size but complex in nature, the Canadian aftermarket experienced a year of ‘resistance’ in 2025. Between a vehicle fleet siphoned off by its American neighbour, an unforgiving winter and a sluggish transition to electric vehicles. 

Read more...