Aftermarket parts manufacturers serve as one of the branches of the automotive industry at large. They deal with the manufacture, distribution, and trading of aftermarket car parts, equipment, and accessories to consumers. We’ve handpicked the best car part brands and what they are known for in this top 10 list. Ready to meet them?

Let's lay some foundation.

Not all car parts brands are created equal, as I've already hinted. But what accounts for the diversity?

Categories of Aftermarket Auto Parts

The expansion of the automotive industry and its products (vehicles) is creating new opportunities for aftermarket brands. Auto parts and accessories, like recording cameras, sensors, and software, are fast becoming baseline standards in an increasing number of newer models. Someone's got to manufacture ALL of those, right?

So, there are two major categories of the aftermarket, to wit:

• Accessories – these are parts made for convenience, safety, customisation, auxiliaries fixed after the purchase of the vehicle. 
• Replacement parts – these are parts explicitly built to replace Original Equipment (OE) parts as they begin to wear out or damage. These are what we often refer to as auto spare parts.

World’s Best Aftermarket Car Part Brands

Here are the 10 leading aftermarket car parts brands in the world.

1. Robert Bosch GmbH

BOSCH is a German multinational engineering and technology company and is one of the world's largest and oldest automotive parts manufacturers. The chances are that several parts of your vehicles are produced by this company. BOSCH has distribution centres located across the globe, including Asia, Australia, and North America.

BOSCH is known for being first, at most times, to introduce experimental components and parts to the automotive market. The line of auto parts manufactured by BOSCH includes engine position sensors, fuel systems, steering systems, ignition components, batteries, wiper blades, alternators, and starters. 

2. Denso Corp.

Denso, headquartered in Japan, is a branch of the Toyota Group of companies and is operational in over 35 countries of the world including Russia, Germany, and the USA. As you would imagine, they're manufacturers of all Toyota replacement parts. They’re widely known for the manufacturing of OEM auto products including components for climate control systems, body electronics, powertrains, information, and communication systems.

DENSO also manufactures hybrid and electric car parts like the Toyota Prius door mirror and the Ford Focus power window motor. Gasoline and diesel engine management systems, alternators, cooling systems, windshield wipers and washers, horns, ABS controls, door lock controls, SRS airbag, clearance warning systems, power window motors, and power steering motors are other products included in their line of parts.

3. Magna International Inc.

Magna International Inc. is a prominent American manufacturer in the aftermarket performance industry. They have their headquarters in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. For over 30 years, Magna has exercised market dominance in the aftermarket performance parts industry, producing mufflers, cat-back exhaust systems, and manifold catalytic converters. They primarily manufacture automotive catalytic converters and high-performance exhaust products for trucks, SUVs, Ford, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Toyota, and BMWs.

In their many decades of existence, the brand has become notable for building its products with quality stainless steel. They do not easily get rust and leaks, thereby providing a quieter ride.

4. Continental AG

Continental is a German multinational automotive part manufacturer that has its headquarters in Hannover, Germany. They specialise in the manufacturing of tyres, braking system, powertrain, chassis component, automotive safety, and electronics components.

Continental is most popular for their tyres—the car part with which they kicked off their manufacturing in 1871. They’ve since grown to become the largest rubber company in Germany. Continental's rubber customers in the automobile industry include Toyota, Honda, Volvo, BMW, Porsche, and others.

5. Hyundai Mobis

Hyundai Mobis is a South Korean aftermarket parts manufacturer that forms the part and service branch of Hyundai Motors, Kia Motors, and General Motors. Aftermarket parts for Kia, such as the Kia rear door mirror and all Hyundai auto body parts, are manufactured by Hyundai Mobis. The company ranked no. 6 as at 2014, and it remains one of the largest part-affiliate suppliers in the world.

Its line of products: chassis, front-end modules, cockpits, airbags, anti-lock brake system, headlights, steering parts, multimedia, UVO systems, panels, bumpers, steel wheel rims, and desks.

6. Lear Corp.

Lear, founded as American Metals Products, initially dabbled into the production of tubular, welded, and stamped steel assemblies for automotive and aviation industries. In May 1996, it changed its name to Lear Corporation and established itself as a company majoring in car interiors and electric systems. Their headquarters is at Michigan, USA. 

Lear supplies seating, electrical distribution systems, and electronic modules as well as software to all of the world's major automotive manufacturers. They're operational in 39 countries of the world. The company's line of products includes seat covers, surface materials such as leather and fabric, seat structures and mechanisms, seat headrests, as well as seating-related electrical and electronics (including software products). 

7. Febi Bilstein

Bilstein is an integral player both in the OEM and aftermarket suspension industry. They’ve got over 60 years of manufacturing experience under their belt and are the suppliers of shock absorbers for Mercedes-Benz. This German manufacturer owns production facilities in various countries of the world, including the USA, Romania, and China. 

Bilstein is known for its innovative and high-quality suspension components. The company is the first to produce usable side jacks for vehicles. The manufacture struts, chassis, all manner of shock absorbers, coil-overs, and air systems for almost every make of automobile.

8. Visteon

Visteon is an American manufacturer of auto parts for major automobile makers including General Motors, BMW, Ford, and Daimler (which was originally owned by Ford Motor Company before it became independent in 2000.) Its brand parts are also used by Asian automakers like Nissan and Hyundai. It is headquartered in Van Buren Township, Michigan. 

The company’s line of products is categorised into three main segments: electronics, climate, and interior systems. The climate category includes aftermarket car parts such as compressors, cooling systems, fluid transport systems while the interior system consists of the cockpit assemblies, instrument, and door panels.

9. NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.

The NGK Spark Plug Co., a branch of NGK Insulators, is an internationally recognised Japanese company based in Nagoya, Japan. NGK Spark Plug manufactures spark plugs and related products for internal combustion engines. They also produce ignition, automotive electronics, and sensor products to the automotive, motorcycle, marine, and power tool markets.

Its line of products are glow plugs, spark plugs, ignition leads, and coils, oxygen sensors, MAP/MAF sensors, engine position and speed sensors for aftermarket sales. NGK stands for Nippon Gaishi Kabushikigaisha. Although, if I were you, I wouldn’t try too hard to pronounce those words; that last one especially. 

10. AC Delco

AC Delco is an American manufacturing company owned by General Motors. They specialise in manufacturing General Motors OE and aftermarket parts for other automakers in the industry. Having existed for over a century, they're one of the oldest companies in the automotive parts industry.

AC Delco's product line includes maintenance parts such as spark plugs, oil, and air filters, car batteries, wiper blades, and brakes, as well as repair parts like chassis, radiators, alternatives, and heating/cooling components.

And there you have it—the ten leading aftermarket car part brands today. Now, should you need a car part finder for aftermarket parts from any of these brands, Carpart.com.au has got YOU covered! All you need to do is send a request for any part you need, and CarPart will immediately connect you to its network of suppliers.

By Damilare Olasinde