ICDP’s Reports and Management Briefings provide fuller details of individual research topics. They are available for ICDP programme members to download - please insert your username and password when prompted. This page lists our outputs from 2026 - please refer to our Publications Catalogue for a full guide.

Close-up of front ends of multiple cars parked in a row.

A control room with multiple monitors displaying car sales data, graphs, and images of cars, with two operators working at desks with computers, and a view of a car dealership outside.

Masters of their digital destiny? Where are Chinese dealers with their IT systems?

by Andrew Tongue
Management Briefing 173/26

When you talk to European dealers about their systems environment, a number of common themes emerge: persistent fragmentation caused by OEM-mandated and dealer-chosen platforms not integrating with each other, data scattered across the business undermining the objective of a ‘single customer view’, and the sheer complexity of managing a cloud of third party tool and plug-in subscriptions. But are these challenges universal? How are Chinese dealers, who arguably should have less of an analogue processes legacy to overcome, coping with their IT needs? And, are they starting to use AI in ways that offer lessons for dealers in other parts of the world?

All-make parts - Intensifying competition in a changing market

by Thomas Chieux
Management Briefing 172/26

The automotive spare parts business is growing slowly in Europe, impacted by a number of positive and negative factors The value of the European aftermarket reached €270 billion in 2025, with the spare parts business accounting for around €163 billion, including DIY and parts purchases made online. This figure includes all types of parts and service/repair jobs (e.g. crash repairs, accessories), but excludes warranty and ‘internal’ jobs (such as used car refurbishment.

Close-up of the front ends of multiple parked cars in a parking lot.

Impact of Electric Vehicles on aftersales profitability (part 1)

by Christophe Guillaneuf
Management Briefing 171/26

Are we now starting to see the real impact? Are the predictions of reduced business now happening? This Management Briefing reports on 2025 ICDP research led and relates to the impact of BEVs on aftermarket demand. On the one hand, the report observes that, with the exception of a few countries, BEV sales are slow to truly take off, primarily due to persistent customer reluctance to switch from internal combustion engines (ICEs) to this new technology.

Independent aftermarket Update

by Christophe Guillaneuf
Management Briefing 170/26

IAM repair and maintenance operators’ strategies to cope with key aftermarket trends: This Management Briefing reports on ICDP research carried out in 2025 and relates to the recent evolution of the independent automotive aftermarket (IAM) across major European markets, focusing on the structure, performance, and future outlook of independent workshops (IWS). We also discuss the strategies set by IAM operators to cope with major transformations in vehicle technology, regulatory frameworks, and consumer behaviour.

Close-up of front ends of multiple parked cars, focusing on headlights and grills.

Impact of Electric Vehicles on aftersales profitability (part 2)

by Christophe Guillaneuf
Management Briefing 174/26

Are we now starting to see the real impact? Are the predictions of reduced business now happening? This Management Briefing reports on the second phase of ICDP 2025 research looking at the impact of BEVs (battery electric vehicles) on aftermarket demand. Part 1 - Management Briefing 171/26 - observed that, with the exception of a few countries, BEV sales are slow to really take off, mainly due to ongoing customer reluctance to switch from internal combustion engines (ICEs) to new technology. In the aftersales sector, this means that even the car manufacturer (OEM) franchised dealers, supposedly the first and main stakeholders exposed, are not yet really feeling the impact of BEVs on their workshop operations.

Used battery electric vehicles in Europe (Parts 1 and 2)

By Christophe Guillaneuf and Thomas Chieux
Management Briefings 168/25 and 169/26

These management briefings report on ICDP research focussing on the used battery electric vehicle (BEV) market across the major European countries. It covers, the market structure and sales trends for used BEVs in Europe, and also consumer expectations and attitudes toward purchasing these vehicles.