The Parts Demand Gap in Italy's Automotive Aftermarket – Opportunities for Chinese Supply Chain

Italy is one of Europe's largest automotive markets by vehicle ownership, and also the oldest. By the end of 2025, Italy's passenger car fleet exceeded 41 million units, with an average vehicle age of 13 years. Over 20 percent of vehicles are still pre-Euro 4, with ages exceeding 20 years. In 2009, Italy's average vehicle age was only 7.9 years, having increased by more than 5 years over 15 years. Behind the continuous rise in vehicle age is the long-term sluggishness of the new vehicle market, with Italy's new vehicle registrations in 2025 reaching only 1.525 million units, 20.4 percent below pre-pandemic 2019 levels.

Older vehicles mean continuous repair demand. According to ANFIA aftermarket barometer data, Italy's aftermarket parts sales in 2025 declined slightly by 1.3 percent year-on-year, ending four consecutive years of growth. However, structural divergence is pronounced: chassis components grew 5 percent, engine components grew 1.9 percent, while electrical and electronic components fell sharply by 7.5 percent. The growth in chassis and engine components directly reflects the rigid demand for basic maintenance and repair from the massive aging fleet. The older the vehicle, the higher the replacement frequency for chassis and engine parts.

This structural characteristic points to a clear entry direction for Chinese parts suppliers. Italy's aftermarket is still dominated by European domestic parts brands, but China's supply chain possesses mature manufacturing capabilities and cost advantages in traditional categories such as chassis and engine components. For Italian dealers and repair service providers, reducing procurement costs while ensuring quality is a realistic choice to cope with current market pressures.

Meanwhile, Italy's EV fleet is growing rapidly. In 2025, Italy's pure electric vehicle registrations grew 44.2 percent, reaching 6.2 percent market share, while plug-in hybrids grew 86.4 percent, reaching 6.4 percent market share. The combined fleet of electric and hybrid vehicles reached 738,000 units, accounting for 1.8 percent of total vehicle ownership. The rise in EV ownership is creating new demand for sensors, electronic control systems, thermal management systems, and charging infrastructure. However, the electrical and electronic components category saw a 7.5 percent decline in 2025, reflecting a key contradiction: market demand for electrified components is growing, but the existing supply system has not yet fully responded to this change.

Chinese parts companies are accelerating their presence in the Italian market. In June 2025, Tongda Electric established a subsidiary in Italy, responsible for regional market demand analysis and targeted product development. BYD signed a parts distribution agreement with Italian company Intergea, and since May 2025, has been supplying BYD original parts throughout Italy within 48 hours through Intergea subsidiary CRF. BYD stated explicitly that the agreement aims to eliminate the prejudice that Asian vehicles are difficult to find spare parts for, an issue often viewed as a purchase barrier.

LHZ Auto Italy Operations Center's parts wholesale business is precisely targeting this market gap. The business covers auto parts, charging stations, and energy storage equipment, meeting the long-term needs of Italian dealers, fleets, and new energy infrastructure operators. Backed by the Group's Nansha Port maritime channel to major Italian ports, and the LHZ China-Europe Railway Express directly reaching all of Italy, LHZ Auto provides Italian B2B clients with full-chain services from parts procurement to customs clearance delivery. Against the backdrop of structural adjustment and electrification transformation in Italy's aftermarket, a stable, diversified, and cost-controllable parts supply channel is becoming the core competitiveness of dealers and repair service providers.


FAQ

Question 1: How large is Italy's automotive aftermarket?

Italy's aftermarket parts sales declined slightly by 1.3 percent year-on-year in 2025, but Italy's passenger car fleet exceeds 41 million units with an average age of 13 years, and over 20 percent of vehicles are over 20 years old, maintaining stable repair and maintenance demand.

Question 2: Which parts categories perform best in the Italian market?

Chassis components grew 5 percent and engine components grew 1.9 percent, directly benefiting from the maintenance needs of the massive aging fleet. Electrical and electronic components fell 7.5 percent, reflecting that market demand for electrified components has not been fully met by the existing supply system.

Question 3: What is the presence of Chinese parts companies in Italy?

In June 2025, Tongda Electric established a subsidiary in Italy for regional market demand analysis and targeted product development. BYD signed a parts distribution agreement with Intergea, supplying original parts throughout Italy within 48 hours through CRF.

Question 4: Why is BYD building a parts distribution network in Italy?

BYD stated explicitly that the agreement aims to eliminate the prejudice that Asian vehicles are difficult to find spare parts for. Parts supply convenience is an important consideration in consumer purchase decisions, and building a localized distribution network is a key measure to enhance brand trust.

Question 5: How does Italy's EV growth affect the parts market?

In 2025, Italy's pure electric vehicle registrations grew 44.2 percent and plug-in hybrids grew 86.4 percent. Rising EV ownership is creating new demand for sensors, electronic control systems, thermal management systems, and charging infrastructure.

Question 6: What parts services does LHZ Auto Italy Operations Center provide?

LHZ Auto Italy Operations Center provides wholesale of auto parts, charging stations, and energy storage equipment, leveraging Nansha maritime shipping and China-Europe Railway Express dual channels, providing Italian dealers, fleets, and new energy infrastructure operators with full-chain services from procurement to customs clearance delivery.


LHZ Auto Italy Operations Center ｜ Website: www.lhzauto.it ｜ Guangzhou Nansha: 15220000555 ｜ Khorgos: 19259087888 ｜ Email: china@lhzauto.com