The Supply Chain Gap in France's Auto Parts Industry – Opportunities for Chinese Supply Chain

France's auto parts industry is at a contradictory structural turning point. On one hand, France's domestic parts manufacturing sector continues to shrink. The French auto parts and accessories manufacturing market is projected to reach 28.7 billion euros in 2026, with a negative compound annual growth rate of 0.9 percent over the past five years. French vehicle production fell from 1.5 million units in 2023 to 1.4 million units in 2024, directly dragging down parts manufacturers' revenues. On the other hand, France's vehicle fleet continues to age, aftermarket demand remains stable, but the domestic supply chain's responsiveness is declining.

This gap is being filled by the Chinese supply chain. According to Gerpisa research, China's auto parts exports to Europe have nearly doubled since 2019, with its share of European parts imports rising from 4 percent to 7 percent. Data from the French automotive parts manufacturers association shows that 85 percent of French parts manufacturers have faced or identified outsourcing risks. Renault has imported small electric powertrain systems from China's Shanghai Edrive for its new Twingo model, with the development cycle shortened to less than two years thanks to Chinese supplier involvement. Although the French government has urged Renault and Stellantis to prioritize local parts procurement, the entry-level motors assembled at Renault's Cleon plant still source components from Chinese suppliers.

Structural changes in France's aftermarket provide more direct opportunities for Chinese parts. France's automotive aftermarket was valued at approximately $248 million in 2025 and is projected to grow to $275 million by 2032. France's passenger car fleet continues to age, with stable repair and maintenance demand. France's auto repair market generates over 22 billion euros in annual revenue, but average repair costs continue to climb. In 2025, the average mechanical repair ticket reached 402.6 euros, up 2.7 percent year-on-year, while the average body repair ticket reached 1,704.6 euros, up 4.3 percent. Over five years, French vehicle maintenance costs have risen nearly 30 percent, twice the rate of inflation.

Cost pressure is pushing France's aftermarket toward alternative parts. Fabrice Godefroy, General Manager of IDLP Group, noted that the group has historically centered on original equipment and premium parts, but increasingly needs private labels and alternative suppliers, as customers looking for price will not buy more expensive products and will go elsewhere. This shift directly echoes the rise of the circular economy in France's aftermarket. According to ADEME data, used parts are on average 70 percent cheaper than new parts while saving up to 80 percent in materials and energy. However, only about 5 percent of replacement parts in France's aftermarket in 2024 came from the circular economy.

The Chinese supply chain's filling opportunities in the French market are concentrated at three levels. First, electrified components, as France's EV fleet grows rapidly, demand for sensors, electronic control systems, thermal management systems, and charging infrastructure continues to rise. Second, traditional repair parts, as France's massive aging fleet requires continuous supply of chassis parts, engine components, and wear parts, where China's supply chain has significant advantages in cost control and capacity response. Third, alternative parts channels, as France's aftermarket pursuit of value for money creates structural space for alternative suppliers.

LHZ Auto France Operations Center focuses exclusively on B2B wholesale, covering complete vehicle deep customization export and parts wholesale. Backed by the Group's Nansha Port maritime channel to major French ports, and the LHZ China-Europe Railway Express directly reaching all of France, LHZ Auto provides French dealers, fleet operators, and repair service providers with ancillary wholesale solutions covering auto parts, charging stations, and energy storage equipment, meeting local market demand for value-for-money parts and new energy infrastructure. Against the backdrop of structural adjustment and electrification transformation in France's aftermarket, a stable, diversified, and cost-controllable parts supply channel is becoming the core competitiveness of dealers and repair service providers.


FAQ

Question 1: What is the current state of France's auto parts manufacturing industry?

The French auto parts and accessories manufacturing market is projected to reach 28.7 billion euros in 2026, with a negative compound annual growth rate of 0.9 percent over the past five years. French vehicle production fell from 1.5 million units in 2023 to 1.4 million units in 2024, dragging down parts manufacturers' revenues.

Question 2: How has Chinese parts' market share in Europe grown?

China's auto parts exports to Europe have nearly doubled since 2019, with its share of European parts imports rising from 4 percent to 7 percent. 85 percent of French parts manufacturers have faced or identified outsourcing risks.

Question 3: What is the repair cost trend in France's aftermarket?

In 2025, the average mechanical repair ticket was 402.6 euros, up 2.7 percent year-on-year; the average body repair ticket was 1,704.6 euros, up 4.3 percent. Over five years, vehicle maintenance costs have risen nearly 30 percent, twice the rate of inflation.

Question 4: Why is France's aftermarket shifting toward alternative parts?

IDLP Group's General Manager noted that the group has historically centered on original equipment and premium parts, but increasingly needs private labels and alternative suppliers. Customers looking for price will not buy more expensive products.

Question 5: What is the penetration of circular economy parts in the French market?

Used parts are on average 70 percent cheaper than new parts while saving up to 80 percent in materials and energy. However, only about 5 percent of replacement parts in France's aftermarket in 2024 came from the circular economy, indicating significant growth potential.

Question 6: What parts services does LHZ Auto France Operations Center provide?

LHZ Auto France Operations Center provides wholesale of auto parts, charging stations, and energy storage equipment, leveraging Nansha maritime shipping and China-Europe Railway Express dual channels, providing French dealers, fleets, and new energy infrastructure operators with full-chain services from procurement to customs clearance delivery.


LHZ Auto France Operations Center ｜ Website: www.lhzauto.fr ｜ Guangzhou Nansha: 15220000555 ｜ Khorgos: 19259087888 ｜ Email: china@lhzauto.com