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WHITE PAPER
03 / 2026
White Paper: Aftermarket Europe 2030: The Motor Vehicle Industry’s Opportunity in a Time of Crisis
Europe’s motor vehicle industry is facing significant pressure. Rising costs, regulatory complexity, slower-than-expected electrification, growing competition from Chinese OEMs and weak demand for new vehicles are fundamentally reshaping competitive dynamics. At the same time, traditional business models across the value chain are coming under increasing strain.
Our latest white paper analyzes the key challenges facing the industry and highlights why aftermarket businesses are becoming a strategic lever for profitability, resilience and long-term competitiveness. The report focuses on the structural shifts shaping the market and the strategic and operational capabilities companies will need to build going forward.
The main takeaway is clear: while OEM businesses face growing margin pressure and transformation challenges, the aftermarket is evolving into one of the industry’s most important sources of profitability and stability. Companies that strengthen pricing, supply chain, service operations, technology and channel collaboration will be best positioned to drive sustainable growth and long-term customer loyalty.
Key Insights
Structural pressure on Europe’s vehicle industry continues to intensify.
Several developments are reshaping the competitive landscape:
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Increasing competitive pressure from Chinese OEMs and global cost disparities
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Slower electrification combined with continued investment requirements
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Rising regulatory complexity driven by tariffs, circular economy rules and the EU Data Act
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Stagnating demand for new vehicles and growing pressure on margins
Aftermarket is becoming a critical profit and resilience engine.
Aftermarket businesses are gaining strategic importance across the industry:
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Disproportionately high profit contribution despite relatively small revenue share
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Stable cash flows and greater resilience across economic cycles
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Stronger customer retention driven by service quality and availability
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Funding source for future investments in electrification, technology and product development
Operational excellence and technology are becoming decisive success factors.
Building high-performing aftermarket organizations requires new capabilities across the entire value chain. Companies must professionalize pricing, supply chain, service operations and channel collaboration while accelerating the integration of digital technologies and AI. Data-driven decision-making, higher service quality and intelligent management of availability and customer interaction are becoming key competitive differentiators.
At the same time, pressure is increasing to make organizations faster, more efficient and more resilient. Leading players are therefore developing structured transformation roadmaps, investing in digital platforms and building best-in-class aftermarket models with clear governance, high-performance service operations and more integrated partner ecosystems.
Content
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Key challenges facing Europe’s vehicle industry through 2030
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Impact of electrification, regulation and global competition
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Role of aftermarket in profitability and resilience
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Strategic importance of service, customer loyalty and data access
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Five key levers for best-in-class aftermarket organizations
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Pricing, supply chain, service and technology excellence
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Application of AI and data-driven aftermarket models
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Strategic implications for OEMs, suppliers and aftermarket players
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Approx. 37 pages
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CONTACT
Connecting knowledge.
If you would like to order a PDF copy of the report, please send us an email with your shipping address.
Munich Strategy is an international management consultancy focused on building and construction materials, machinery and plant engineering, motor vehicle and adjacent sectors. We develop growth and internationalization strategies for leading companies in these industries, support mergers & acquisitions and drive transformation programs.
Your contact
Munich Strategy GmbH & Co. KG
Türkenstraße 5
80333 München
t +49 – 89 – 1250 1590
presse@munich-strategy.com
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