AutoNation Launches eCommerce Platform for Auto Parts and Accessories

Automotive retailer AutoNation has launched a new eCommerce website that allows customers to purchase auto parts and accessories.

The new AutoNationParts.com allows customers to purchase these products conveniently and at competitive prices, and have them delivered to their doorstep, AutoNation said in a Tuesday (Oct. 31) press release.

The launch of the online platform is a direct response to the rising demand from both DIY mechanics and “do-it-for-me” customers who prefer to buy parts online and have them expertly installed by their chosen mechanics, according to the release.

“People are holding on to cars longer,” AutoNation CEO Mike Manley said in the release. “As the lifecycle of vehicle ownership grows, AutoNation wants to continue to be there for our customers who take pride in doing their own maintenance, repairs and customizations.”

To address this demand, AutoNation’s new eCommerce site offers a wide selection of genuine manufacturer parts from over 25 brands, according to the press release.

Customers can search for parts by vehicle identification number (VIN); by year, make, model, trim and engine; and by keywords and part numbers, the release said. They can also browse through categories.

In-stock orders typically ship within one or two business days, and customers can track their orders to stay informed about the exact arrival time of their items, per the release.

“With more than 300 locations in 20 states and more than 24,000 associates, AutoNation has sold and serviced more than 14 million vehicles,” the retailer said in the press release. “From buying and selling vehicles to providing on-site and mobile repair services and online parts sales for the DIY mechanic, AutoNation delivers a customer experience unmatched in the automotive industry.”

The average car on the road is skewing older — to more than 12 years on average — and repairs can keep these older vehicles running and safe, CarParts.com CEO David Meniane told PYMNTS in an interview posted in August.

“The average age of a car might be 12 years, but there are perfectly great cars out there that are 18 to 20 years old,” Meniane said.

Before adding its new eCommerce site for auto parts and accessories, AutoNation had already increased its focus on after-sale services. Given the ongoing tight supply of new and used cars, the firm has focused heavily on service and building relationships with consumers.