Top Automotive Aftermarket Trends to Watch in 2025

‘India’s mobility evolution finds new growth levers in digitalisation, safety tech, EV integration, and value-driven innovation’

India’s automotive aftermarket industry is entering a pivotal phase of innovation-led expansion. Shaped by digital-first consumers, rising expectations around road safety, and the growing EV adoption curve, the sector is actively redefining its value proposition. The market, valued at nearly ₹94,000 crore in 2024, is projected to reach ₹1,16,000 crore by 2028, cementing India’s position as one of the fastest-growing automotive hubs globally.

Aftermarket players are no longer operating in a transactional environment. The narrative is shifting toward becoming mobility enablers—where digitisation, technology integration, and proactive engagement define the consumer relationship.

1. Rise of Digital Platforms and Direct-to-Consumer Models

The aftermarket’s digital journey has now entered its scaling phase. Over the last two years, online platforms—ranging from brand-owned e-commerce portals to aggregators and vehicle service marketplaces—have witnessed a surge in traction, not just from urban India but increasingly from Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns.

In 2025, the digital aftermarket is expected to mature into a full-stack ecosystem. Consumers will not only browse for components online, but also benefit from value-added services such as live inventory visibility, doorstep delivery, interactive product demos, virtual try-ons for accessories, and even digital warranty registration.

Aftermarket brands are aggressively expanding their presence in the D2C space, building scalable fulfillment networks, and deploying regional warehouses to ensure last-mile availability. Social commerce, WhatsApp storefronts, and hyperlocal influencer marketing are also being embraced to convert product discovery into instant transactions.

2. Martech as the Engine of Personalised Customer Journeys

Marketing technology (MarTech) has become a strategic enabler in the aftermarket. In 2025, data-driven personalisation is no longer a differentiator—it is a customer expectation. Brands are investing in AI-powered CRMs, loyalty engines, and content recommendation algorithms to engage buyers across their lifecycle.

The shift from a transactional to relational model is visible across segments. For instance, two-wheeler accessory buyers now receive tailored promotions based on previous purchases, riding behavior, and regional preferences. Four-wheeler owners can now get service reminders, fitment tips, and AR/VR-enabled accessory previews through brand apps and messaging platforms.

As the marketplace gets more competitive, the ability to engage, convert, and retain customers using intelligent MarTech stacks will separate the leaders from the laggards. This is especially relevant in the aftermarket where multiple brands often compete within the same product vertical.

3. Safety and ADAS Upgrades Gaining Ground Across Segments

India’s rising road traffic and accident statistics have heightened public focus on vehicle safety. This, combined with regulatory cues like Bharat NCAP and increased consumer awareness, has created a new demand wave for safety-centric aftermarket solutions.

Retrofit kits for rear-view cameras, blind spot monitors, 360-degree view systems, and TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring systems) are now seeing adoption across vehicle classes—from hatchbacks to trucks. Additionally, infotainment units now come embedded with AI voice assistants, navigation aids, and connected diagnostics, turning conventional cars into smart driving companions.

For OEM-authorised accessory providers and aftermarket leaders alike, safety tech is becoming both a business imperative and a brand differentiator. Fleet owners and logistics companies, too, are integrating telematics-based solutions for predictive maintenance and driver behavior monitoring.

4. EV-Specific Aftermarket Solutions Enter the Mainstream

The shift to electric vehicles (EVs) is no longer a projection—it is an unfolding reality. With over 1.8 million EVs registered across India as of 2024, the aftermarket has begun to respond with a new class of EV-compatible offerings tailored to performance, charging efficiency, and digital integration.

Emerging products include lightweight wheels to reduce rolling resistance, aerodynamic kits for improved efficiency, EV-optimised tyres, smart chargers, portable charging banks, regenerative braking systems, and real-time range extenders. Aftermarket players are also offering battery health diagnostic kits, protective thermal solutions, and modular accessories for swappable battery packs.

What’s notable is that EV aftermarket demand is not just being driven by urban consumers but by last-mile delivery operators, ride-hailing services, and EV fleet owners in semi-urban clusters. The future will see more diagnostic service centers, EV-only accessory formats, and specialised fitment training programmes for mechanics.

5. Rise of Connected Mobility and Predictive Aftermarket Intelligence

Connectivity is revolutionising how owners maintain and upgrade their vehicles. The proliferation of OBD-II devices, GPS-integrated vehicle trackers, AI dashboards, and IoT-powered maintenance alerts is enabling a proactive aftermarket ecosystem where issues can be anticipated and resolved before they disrupt mobility.

For example, a connected car can now send early alerts about engine oil degradation, brake pad wear, or battery drop—even before the driver notices. This enables timely aftermarket interventions, reduces vehicle downtime, and enhances lifecycle value.

Aftermarket platforms are investing in building cloud-based service dashboards where vehicle data, service history, warranty records, and part replacements are seamlessly tracked. This not only improves customer retention but also enables deeper analytics for product development and inventory planning.

Connected mobility is also catalysing partnerships between component makers, software developers, and service aggregators—creating a new layer of smart aftermarket ecosystems.

Conclusion: A Tech-Led, Trust-Fueled Aftermarket Future

The Indian automotive aftermarket is rapidly transitioning from a fragmented supply market to a technology-led, service-oriented, trust-driven ecosystem. In 2025, every aftermarket brand will be judged not just by the quality of its products but by its ability to deliver seamless, intelligent, and enriching ownership experiences.

As Vishal Kaul articulates, aftermarket growth is no longer about scale alone—it is about strategic value creation, customer intimacy, and future readiness. The players who align themselves with the new realities of mobility—EVs, connected ecosystems, digital commerce, and safety-driven innovation—will emerge as industry leaders in the years to come.
 

Rakesh Kher is CEO of UNO Minda Aftermarket. Views expressed are the author's personal.