Parts E-Commerce by Franchise Chart

Parts E-Commerce

This chart summarizes the current B2B and B2C landscape of e-commerce solutions for new OEM automotive service parts. Additional detail and clarifications are provided after the chart.

Parts E-Commerce by Automaker - U.S.
Automaker	Source & Brand	Specialization	Attributes	Comments
Acura
Automaker Sponsored	Captive - eStore OEC - RepairLink OEC - CollisionLink	B2B IRF / Fleet Collision	Pro EPC - Captive Normalized EPC - SBS [A] Integration - CES	Open; OE Closed; OE Closed; OE
Independent	Trademotion PartsWebsite RevolutionParts WHI - Nexpart	B2B IRF	Normalized ecat - TM [B] Normalized ecat - [E] Meshes w/ inParts EPC Nexcat; IRF network	Open; OE Open; OE Open; OE Closed; Mixed
Audi
Automaker Sponsored	Lexcom - Partslink24	B2B IRF / Fleet	Pro EPC - Lexcom	Closed; OE
Independent	OEC - CollisionLink Trademotion PartsWebsite WHI - Nexpart	Collision B2B IRF	Integration - CES Normalized ecat - TM [B] Normalized ecat - [E] Nexcat; IRF network	Closed; OE Open; OE Open; OE Closed; Mixed
BMW (including Mini)
Automaker Sponsored
Independent	OEC - CollisionLink Trademotion PartsWebsite WHI - Nexpart	Collision B2B IRF	Integration - CES Normalized ecat - [E] Nexcat; IRF network	Closed; OE Open; OE Closed; Mixed
Chrysler / Fiat
Automaker Sponsored	Chrome Data Captive - Gear Snap-on - EASy VPI	Parts & Accessories Mdse & Accessories Accessories Vintage	Accessory catalog No interactive catalog	Open; OE Open; OE Open; OE Open; OE
Independent	OEC - RepairLink OEC - CollisionLink Trademotion - eStore PartsWebsite WHI - Nexpart	B2B IRF / Fleet Collision B2B IRF	Normalized EPC - SBS [A] Integration - CES Normalized ecat - TM [B] Normalized ecat - [E] Nexcat; IRF network	Closed; OE Closed; OE Open; OE Open; OE Closed; Mixed
Ford (including Lincoln)
Automaker Sponsored	OEC - FP.com OEC - RepairLink OEC - CollisionLink Driverside - OPD Captive - Ford Racing VPI	B2B IRF / Fleet Collision B2C Performance Vintage	EPCs - FCA & SBS [C] Normalized EPC - SBS [A] Integration - CES Pro EPC No interactive catalog No interactive catalog	Open; ; OE; [D] Closed; OE Closed; OE eBay Store; Open; OE Open; OE Open; OE
Independent	WHI - Nexpart Trademotion - FPN PartsWebsite	B2B IRF	Nexcat; IRF network Normalized ecat - TM [B] Normalized ecat - [E]	Closed; Mixed Open; OE Open; OE
General Motors
Automaker Sponsored	OEC - RepairLink OEC - Collisionlink Captive - GMPP Helm - GM Extras Helm - Restoration Parts Driverside - OPD VPI	B2B IRF / Fleet Collision Racing/Performance Mdse & Accessories GM licensed parts ACDelco only Vintage	Normalized EPC - SBS [A] Integration - CES No interactive catalog Under Construction Limited ecat Normalized ecat No interactive catalog	Closed; OE Closed; OE Open; OE Open; OE Open; OE Open; GM and "will-fit" Open; OE
Independent	Trademotion PartsWebsite WHI - Nexpart	B2B IRF	Normalized ecat - TM [B] Normalized ecat - [E] Nexcat; IRF network	Open; OE Open; OE Closed; Mixed
Honda
Automaker Sponsored	Captive - eStore OEC - RepairLink OEC - CollisionLink Captive -Racing Store VPI	Parts & Accessories B2B IRF / Fleet Collision Parts & Mdse Vintage	Pro EPC - Captive Normalized EPC - SBS [A] Integration - CES No interactive catalog No interactive catalog	Open; OE Closed; OE Closed; OE Open; OE Open; OE
Independent	Trademotion PartsWebsite RevolutionParts WHI	B2B - IRF	Normalized ecat - TM [B] Normalized ecat - [E] Meshes w/ inParts EPC Nexcat; IRF network	Open; OE Open; OE Open; OE Closed; Mixed
Hyundai
Automaker Sponsored	Captive - CMG eStore Insigna VPI	Merchandise Accessories Vintage	In interactive catalog	Open; OE Open; OE Open; OE
Independent	OEC - CollisionLink Trademotion PartsWebsite WHI	Collision B2B - IRF	Integration - CES Normalized EPC - TM [B] Normalized ecat - [E] Nexcat; IRF network	Closed; OE Open; OE Open; OE Closed; Mixed
Infiniti
Automaker Sponsored	Trademotion - eStore OEC - CollisionLink	Parts & Accessories Collision	Pro EPC - Captive Integration - CES	Open; OE Closed; OE
Independent	PartsWebsite WHI - Nexpart	B2B IRF	Normalized ecat - [E] Nexcat; IRF network	Open; OE Closed; Mixed
Jaguar
Automaker Sponsored
Independent	Trademotion PartsWebsite OEC - CollisionLink WHI - Nexpart	Collision B2B - IRF	Normalized EPC - TM [B] Normalized ecat - [E] Integration - CES Nexcat; IRF network	Open; OE Open; OE Closed; OE Closed; Mixed
Land Rover
Automaker Sponsored
Independent	Trademotion PartsWebsite OEC - CollisionLink WHI - Nexpart	Collision B2B - IRF	Normalized EPC - TM [B] Normalized ecat - [E] Integration - CES Nexcat; IRF network	Open; OE Open; OE Closed; OE Closed; Mixed
Kia
Automaker Sponsored	Trademotion Insigna	Accessories	Normalized EPC - TM [B]	Open; OE Open; OE
Independent	OEC - CollisionLink WHI - Nexpart PartsWebsite	Collision B2B - IRF	Integration - CES Nexcat; IRF network Normalized ecat - [E]	Closed; OE Closed; Mixed Open; OE
Lexus
Automaker Sponsored	Captive: LexusCollection	Mdse		Open; OE
Independent	Trademotion PartsWebsite OEC - CollisionLink WHI - Nexpart	Collision B2B - IRF	Normalized EPC - TM [B] Normalized ecat - [E] Integration - CES Nexcat; IRF network	Open; OE Open; OE Closed; OE Closed; Mixed
Mazda
Automaker Sponsored
Independent	Trademotion PartsWebsite OEC - CollisionLink WHI - Nexpart	Collision B2B - IRF	Normalized EPC - TM [B] Normalized ecat - [E] Integration - CES Nexcat; IRF network	Open; OE Open; OE Closed; OE Closed; Mixed
Mercedes-Benz
Automaker Sponsored	Captive - Mercedes Shop	Mdse	No interactive catalog	Open; OE
Independent	Trademotion PartsWebsite OEC - CollisionLink WHI - Nexpart	Collision B2B - IRF	Normalized EPC - TM [B] Normalized ecat - [E] Integration - CES Nexcat; IRF network	Open; OE Open; OE Closed; OE Closed; Mixed
Mitsubishi
Automaker Sponsored	VPI	Vintage	No interactive catalog	Open; OE
Independent	Trademotion PartsWebsite OEC - CollisionLink WHI - Nexpart	Collision B2B - IRF	Normalized EPC - TM [B] Normalized ecat - [E] Integration - CES Nexcat; IRF network	Open; OE Open; OE Closed; OE Closed; Mixed
Nissan
Automaker Sponsored	Trademotion - eStore OEC - RepairLink OEC - CollisionLink	Parts & Accessories B2B - IRF & Fleet Collision	Pro EPC - Captive Normalized EPC - SBS [A] Integration - CES	Open; OE Closed; OE Closed; OE
Independent	PartsWebsite WHI - Nexpart	B2B - IRF	Normalized ecat - [E] Nexcat; IRF network	Open; OE Closed; Mixed
Porsche
Automaker Sponsored	Lexcom - Partslink24	B2B IRF / Fleet	Pro EPC - Lexcom	Closed; OE
Independent	Trademotion PartsWebsite WHI - Nexpart	B2B IRF	Normalized ecat - TM [B] Normalized ecat - [E] Nexcat; IRF network	Open; OE Open; OE Closed; Mixed
Saab
Automaker Sponsored
Independent	OEC - CollisionLink Trademotion PartsWebsite WHI - Nexpart	Collision B2B IRF	Integration - CES Normalized ecat - TM [B] Normalized ecat - [E] Nexcat; IRF network	Closed; OE Open; OE Open; OE Closed; Mixed
Subaru
Automaker Sponsored	Trademotion - eStore		Normalized ecat - TM [B]	Open; OE
Independent	OEC - CollisionLink PartsWebsite WHI - Nexpart	Collision B2B IRF	Integration - CES Normalized ecat - [E] Nexcat; IRF network	Closed; OE Open; OE Closed; Mixed
Suzuki
Automaker Sponsored
Independent	OEC - CollisionLink Trademotion PartsWebsite WHI - Nexpart	Collision B2B IRF	Integration - CES Normalized ecat - TM [B] Normalized ecat - [E] Nexcat; IRF network	Closed; OE Open; OE Open; OE Closed; Mixed
Toyota (including Scion)
Automaker Sponsored	Infomedia - Microcat Mkt Infomedia - APB	IRF / Fleet Collision	Pro EPC; Integr. - CES Pro EPC	Closed; OE Closed; OE
Independent	OEC - CollisionLink Trademotion PartsWebsite WHI - Nexpart	Collision B2B IRF	Integration - CES Normalized ecat - TM [B] Normalized ecat - [E] Nexcat; IRF network	Closed; OE Open; OE Open; OE Closed; Mixed
Volvo
Automaker Sponsored
Independent	OEC - CollisionLink Trademotion PartsWebsite WHI - Nexpart	Collision B2B IRF	Integration - CES Normalized ecat - TM [B] Normalized ecat - [E] Nexcat; IRF network	Closed; OE Open; OE Open; OE Closed; Mixed
Volkswagen
Automaker Sponsored	Lexcom - PartsLink24 OEC - CollisionLink	B2B Collision	Pro EPC Integration - CES	Closed; OE Closed; OE
Independent	Trademotion - eStore PartsWebsite WHI - Nexpart	B2B IRF	Normalized ecat - TM [B] Normalized ecat - [E] Nexcat; IRF network	Open; OE Open; OE Closed; Mixed
OEM Independent
All-Makes (Multiple Makes)	Parts Website Trademotion InterCity Services WHI Solutions [F] DST w/ & w/ out Insignia SimplePart SoftwareGlobal PartsVoice WorldParts Skyparts	Consumer / Retail Consumer / Retail Consumer / Retail B2B IRF B2B IRF Consumer / Retail Consumer / Retail	Own ecat Own ecat Own & PW ecat Nexcat; IRF network Activant ecat; IRF apps Meshes with OEM EPCs Locator + Bulk Sales Locator Locator + Bulk Sales	Open OE Open OE Open OE (also non-auto) Closed; Mixed Closed; Mixed Open; Mixed Open Open; OE Open; Open;

Notes:

A - SBS MORE: aggregated and normalized OEM EPCs
B - TM's ecat:all-makes OEM parts (limited illustrations, no VIN BoM files) - independent of OEM EPCs
C - FP.com's sponsored site uses FCA EPC by Enigma, Clifford Thames & Ford; open site uses SBS EPC
D - Official Ford Parts Portal
E - PW's ecat: all-makes OEM parts from MOTOR (limited illustrations, no VIN files)
F - Both portal and Sophio storefront

Chart Inclusion / Exclusion Criteria

For the purposes of this chart, E-commerce solutions for new OEM parts:

“new” means parts that have not been used (that is, solutions for salvage-only parts are excluded; however newly remanufactured parts are included)
“OEM” indicates that the parts are sold or licensed by an automaker for the vehicles the automaker builds/sells
“parts” includes parts, tires, accessories and merchandise
"e-commerce" means that – at a minimum – orders can be placed online

Sites that provide only the ability to submit an inquiry or request - but not an order - are excluded. Examples: (1) MazdaSpeed.com allows users to build a list of accessories but does not appear to allow users to place a firm order – instead, the buyer is instructed to bring the list of accessories and/or performance parts to dealer for pricing and availability (thus its exclusion); (2) the HyundaiWholesale.com site - owned by Hyundai - consists of a Mitchell International collision parts web-EPC to assist body shops buy genuine Hyundai parts from Hyundai-franchised dealerships - but provides no mechanism for placing orders once parts are selected; (3) estimating systems - collision or mechanical - with embedded parts catalogs are excluded as none enable direct online ordering of OE parts.

Seamless integration and financial settlement (expected on major consumer products websites) is not a requirement for inclusion in the chart.

E-commerce portals and sites that are no longer operational are excluded. For example, Hyundai launched the first automotive OE parts e-commerce site (one that was richly featured) in 1999. A few years ago, Hyundai terminated its original parts e-commerce program in which participating franchised dealerships fulfilled e-commerce part orders (and Hyundai has not yet launched a replacement site yet); and thus is not included in this chart. Similarly, ChoiceParts, a now defunct joint venture (Reynolds and Reynolds, CCC IS, ADP) - an early all-makes automotive service parts portal covering OE, AM and salvage parts - is omitted.

Dealer portals – whether for dealers to order parts from an automaker or dealer-to-dealer trade – are excluded (to be covered in other charts). This exclusion applies to replenishment restocking of dealerships’ parts inventories (RIM solutions) generally reached through automakers’ dealer portals, dealer-only specialty part ordering (for example, Ford’s OE Reman Direct and GM’s Outlet Shop) and dealer-to-dealer ordering (generally a parts locator with an ordering mechanism).

E-commerce systems/services exclusively for discounted parts (idle or distressed) are excluded - these solutions have their own chart: Idle Parts: Market-Making Services & Products.

Individual dealership websites that enable parts e-commerce but are not part of a larger initiative are excluded. Auction sites (for example eBay Motors) and sellers within large web e-commerce sites (Amazon) are only indirectly included in this chart – in "OEM Independent" (last row of the chart) and through Driverside and its OE Parts Depot stores on eBay Motors and WHI Solutions alliance with eBay Motors that enables WHI customers to seamlessly have their parts inventory listed on eBay Motors.

Explanation of Chart Terms

The column heading “Source/Brand” generally provides the supplier and brand name of the e-commerce portal/solution. Captive in this case means that the solution was designed, built and is controlled by the automaker. When a supplier and the brand are the same (for example, Trademotion) the name is listed once.

One of the critical attributes of an e-commerce site for new OE service parts is the inclusion of a parts catalog. The chart records whether there is an included parts catalog, whether it is an EPC (containing “exploded” view parts illustrations) or ecat (text-only) and whether the automaker is the direct source of the parts catalog content. The inclusion of a parts catalog and the type of parts catalog will determine which buyer communities will be able to effectively use the site.

Parts e-commerce for new OEM automotive parts includes a roughly equal mix of automaker-sponsored and independent programs. Parts e-commerce sites that can be reached from an automaker’s main website or for which there is a press release by an automaker or supportive bulletin to dealers are included in “Sponsored” and all others are in the “Independent” rows, even if the automaker has licensed data to enable the site. In a few cases the e-commerce site could be reasonably placed in either category.

In Comments, parts e-commerce sites are labeled “Open” or “Closed”. “Open” means that the public can reach the site with no more effort than registration – and for free. “Closed” means that the public cannot reach the site or must pay for access. Finally, the chart also identifies whether the e-commerce implementation serves only the OE market (“OE” in Comments) or both the OE and AM parts sellers (“Mixed” in Comments).

"Pro EPC" means a professional OEM EPC (or a close variant) used by deaership personnel. The term "ecat" is short for "electronic catalog", a term coined in 1984 by CCI/Triad (which became Activant and is now Epicor) to mean an all (or nearly all) text parts catalog - that is, a parts catalog without exploded-view illustrations typically used in AM rather than OEM parts operations. Trademotion and Partswebsite.com, both offer dealers an all-makes parts e-commerce website. Both embed an ecat with OEM part numbers. (Both are reported to start with the MOTOR database which each improves with its own proprietary processes and tools.) RevolutionParts (not in chart above) has a similar dealer parts website offering for Honda dealerships and it includes a full web EPC with exploded-view parts illustrations.

Commentary

Buyer-side Systems Integration. Seamless integration from order placement and confirmation to billing and financial settlement is an important aspect of an e-commerce solution. For automotive parts, wholesale parts buyers (B2B) use systems to build lists of parts needed for a repair (generally as a component of estimates) – buyer-side system integration is noted in the ‘Attributes’ column. (Buy-side integration is currently limited - providers include: WHI Solutions – NexPart, OEConnection – CollisionLink; Infomedia’s Auto PartsBridge. Additionally, Driverside, WHI Solutions as well as several service firms automate the effective bulk transfer of parts to eBay Motors.) Two-way buyer-side system integration (for example, delivering shipping notification and invoices back to buyers’ systems) is very limited – WHI Solutions (and only WHI) appears to provide two-way integration.

Seller-side Systems Integration. Integration to sell-side systems is generally implemented for automaker portals in which the automaker handles billing. For parts e-commerce portals and sites in which dealerships fulfill orders, sell-side system integration is dependent on DMS (specialized ERP for franchised dealerships) providers. Only ADP has implemented significant points of integration and developer toolkits enabling parts e-commerce integration. Sell-side integration, when possible (a dealership with an ADP DMS and an e-commerce solution certified for ADP integration) is still an option (not a standard feature) and thus not included within the attributes column.

Each distinct e-commerce solution is called out only once for each automaker. In the case of private-label re-distribution arrangements, only the original developer is called out. The distribution of Trademotion’s e-commerce solutions by Reynolds & Reynolds (a leading DMS DSP) under the brand “Parts & Accessories Portal” is the largest private label arrangement covering thousands of dealers.

Special mention should be made of "open" parts locators which have no parts catalog and are "all-makes" that are oriented towards new OEM parts posted by franchised dealerships. The locators listed below all have the ability for the user to place orders online (even if the order is delivered via an e-mail).

PartsVoice (PV) - PV is an "all-makes" car and truck parts locator in addition to being the National Parts Locator for Toyota. [PV is an ADP Dealer Solutions product]
WorldParts (FastNet) - includes new OE, salvage and AM parts
Skyparts - a locator for cars, trucks and many other lines of vehicles and equipment.

Finally, a number of online classified advertisement offerings specifically support auto parts - including Craigslist.

In conclusion, parts e-commerce (online ordering) is increasingly important for OEM (OE) automotive service parts (also known as “replacement parts” or “service parts”) sold retail or wholesale. New car franchised dealerships (auto dealers) sell as many service parts wholesale or retail as they consume in their captive service operations. Advances in service parts e-commerce may help both automakers (and other vehicle or equipment manufacturers) slow the erosion in OE parts sales share compared to the AM (aftermarket) and salvage parts market share. This chart is intended to provide readers with the information to review, compare, assess and complete their own analysis of OEM spare part e-commerce suppliers and their systems (and services).

Last Updated March 28 2012

Fellowes Research Group, Inc.

Parts E-Commerce

Chart Inclusion / Exclusion Criteria

Explanation of Chart Terms

Commentary