Older vehicles, strong independent shops and rising M&A activity: the 2026 AAPEX media guide paints the picture of a thriving industry.

According to the 2026 AAPEX media guide, the global automotive aftermarket will reach about 3.66 trillion Canadian dollars this year, nearly 48 billion more than last year. In the United States, it will climb to almost 830 billion, including some 630 billion for light-duty vehicles, a segment growing 5.2%.

An aging fleet

The driving force behind this growth will sound familiar to shops here at home. The average age of light vehicles in the U.S. now stands at 12.94 years, up from 12.8 last year, driven in part by rising new vehicle prices.

Independent shops lead the way

Independent repairers hold 72% of U.S. repair capacity, with sales of roughly 432 billion Canadian dollars. The market is also attracting investors: 354 mergers and acquisitions closed in 2025, and dealmaking is expected to accelerate in 2026.

For Canadian shops and distributors, these figures offer a revealing look at the trends shaping the industry. Many will discuss them at AAPEX in Las Vegas this November, where former Olympic basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski will deliver the keynote.