Here’s what you need to know:
- MacKay & Company reports genuine OE parts command over 60% of purchases; the OE channel leads market share for both first owners (53%) and subsequent owners (46%).
- Parts availability is the top 2025 challenge (34% want OEM support). Cost pressure is third, but 38% of channels demand manufacturer support to manage it.
- Parts pricing rose 4.0% in 2025. As trucks age, sourcing shifts from OE dealers to heavy-duty distributors (25% share for subsequent owners) and garages.
MacKay & Company has released its 2026 DataMac U.S. Distribution Report, offering market trends within the medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicle aftermarket distribution channels.
The annual report offers insights from more than 260 businesses — dealers, distributors, independent garages auto parts stores and others. The report provides a detailed view into parts and service labor sales, inventory strategies and parts sourcing behaviors.
Genuine parts remain market leaders
According to this year’s report, genuine OE brands account for more than 60% of all parts purchased for resale or installation. Dealers and engine distributors hold the largest shares among channels. However, some shifts are evident. MacKay & Company reports engine distributors and auto parts stores are seeing increased adoption of aftermarket and non-OE parts in 2025 compared to prior years.
In contrast, dealers and heavy-duty distribution/specialists are moving more toward OE.
Availability, pricing remains an issue
When asked, the company says distribution channels identify parts availability as the top challenge facing the industry in 2025. Not surprising, when channels were asked how manufacturers can support channels, part availability is cited by 34% of respondents. MacKay & Company reports cost and pricing pressure comes in as the number three challenge of 2025, but this is the area where the largest percentage, 38%, of distribution channels are calling for greater manufacturer support to manage ongoing cost pressures. The second-rate challenge is labor constraints.
MacKay & Company reports parts pricing rose an average of 4.0% in 2025 compared to 2024 — still elevated relative to long-term trends but significantly lower than the sharp 10.2% increase seen in 2022. Pricing varies across distribution channels, ranging from approximately 3.3% to 4.6%, reflecting differences in channel dynamics and shifts in the retail sales mix.
Dealers still hold market share lead
Overall, the OE channel commands the largest portion of the aftermarket parts purchases for both first owners (53%) and subsequent owners (46%). As vehicles age, drop out of warranty or change ownership, parts and service sourcing tends to shift away from OE channels and a larger percent of parts are purchased through the heavy-duty distributor/specialist and the independent garage channels. This shift is influenced in part by price sensitivity, MacKay & Company states, with further changes likely driven by availability and evolving customer preferences.
At 25%, the heavy-duty distributor/specialist channel has the second largest average parts market share for subsequent owners (23% for new vehicle owners). Independent tarages hold 6% for new vehicle owners and 14% for subsequent owners.
For more information about MacKay & Company’s Distribution Report, or to acquire and participate in the company’s monthly DataPulse Plus report, which tracks both parts sales (over-the-counter and through the shop) as well as inventory levels, please reach out to John Blodgett at [email protected].
