1.0Market Snapshot
- 847
- Wholesalers and retailers of motor-vehicle parts and accessories in 2024 (BFS STATENT, NOGA 45.31 wholesale: 333 units; 45.32 retail: 514 units). Parts sold by car dealers and workshops are counted in their own classes.
- 8,528
- Employees of parts wholesalers and retailers in 2024 (BFS STATENT), 7,753 full-time equivalents. Wholesale employs 5,362 people, an average of 16 per unit.
- −3.9%
- Change in employees from 2020 (8,873) to 2024 (8,528), BFS STATENT NOGA 45.31 and 45.32, while units fell from 882 to 847. Demand from workshops is growing: BAK Economics expects workshop turnover to rise 2.4% in both 2025 and 2026.
According to Val Index analysis of Swiss commercial-register and federal data (2026), Switzerland counts 847 automotive parts distribution companies — Wholesalers and retailers of motor-vehicle parts and accessories in 2024 (BFS STATENT, NOGA 45.31 wholesale: 333 units; 45.32 retail: 514 units). Parts sold by car dealers and workshops are counted in their own classes..
2.0Industry Overview
Automotive parts distributors supply Switzerland's garages and body shops with brakes, filters, batteries, tyres, electronics and tools, usually with several deliveries a day. In 2024 BFS counted 847 wholesalers and retailers of motor-vehicle parts with 8,528 employees (STATENT, NOGA 45.31 and 45.32), slightly fewer than in 2020. Their market is the vehicle fleet, and it is ageing: on 30 September 2025 Switzerland had 4,839,465 passenger cars with an average age of 10.8 years, up from 9.2 years in 2019 (BFS). Electric cars made up 5.2% of the fleet and 22.7% of new registrations in 2025.
3.0Industry Health Check (SWOT)
- Ageing car fleet drives repair demand
- Heavy stock and working-capital needs
- Repair demand while drivers keep cars longer
- Electric cars need fewer wear parts
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Automotive Parts Distribution business valuation in Switzerland
- Statutory Multiple (EBITDA)
- 3.0 - 4.5×
- Deal Multiple (EBITDA)
- 4.0 - 6.0×
- Market Trend
- Stable
Indicative ranges based on market research. Actual multiples vary by company size, growth, and market conditions.
8.0Regional Clusters
Central Switzerland
111 parts wholesalers and retailers with 2,541 employees in 2024 (BFS STATENT), the most employees of any region and by far the largest units (22.9 per unit); SAG's companies are registered in Risch (ZG) and Hostettler in Sursee (LU).
Western Switzerland
180 units with 1,557 employees, the most firms of any region.
Northwestern Switzerland
100 units with 1,374 employees; FIBAG is based in Safenwil (AG).
Bern and Solothurn
91 units with 1,147 employees; ESA is based in Burgdorf (BE).
Zurich
167 units with 1,074 employees.
Eastern Switzerland
117 units with 573 employees.
Ticino
59 units with 252 employees.
Sources
9.0Frequently Asked Questions
▶How much is an automotive parts distributor worth in Switzerland?
ValIndex's multiples table puts Swiss automotive parts distribution at 4.0–6.0× EBITDA in transactions and 3.0–4.5× EBITDA on statutory valuations. Distributors with dense delivery networks, strong workshop relationships or a profitable niche sit at the upper end; small traders dependent on a few garages sit lower.
▶What drives the value of a Swiss automotive parts distributor?
Buyers price: (1) delivery logistics and branch network; (2) relationships with independent workshops; (3) catalogue breadth and stock quality; (4) supplier agreements; (5) specialist know-how, for example for commercial vehicles, motorcycles or electric cars; (6) succession and dependence on the owner.
▶How big is Swiss automotive parts distribution?
BFS counted 847 wholesalers and retailers of motor-vehicle parts with 8,528 employees in 2024 (NOGA 45.31 and 45.32). No official figure for market revenue exists; Swiss Automotive Group alone reported more than CHF 1.1 billion in revenue across its markets in 2020. The market they serve is a fleet of 4,839,465 passenger cars (BFS, 2025).
▶Who are the main automotive parts distributors in Switzerland?
Swiss Automotive Group, with its Derendinger and Technomag brands registered in Risch, leads the independent aftermarket. ESA, the purchasing cooperative of the Swiss motor trade in Burgdorf, supplies member garages. Specialists include Hostettler Autotechnik (Sursee, motorcycles) and FIBAG (Safenwil).
▶What are the key trends in Swiss automotive parts distribution?
Five trends: (1) an ageing fleet, with an average car age of 10.8 years; (2) workshop turnover expected to rise 2.4% a year in 2025 and 2026; (3) a new anchor shareholder at SAG in 2025; (4) electric cars at 22.7% of new registrations; (5) fewer distributors as groups absorb regional firms.
▶What are the main risks when buying a Swiss automotive parts distributor?
The main risks are: (1) electrification reducing demand for wear parts; (2) carmakers controlling access to parts and repair data; (3) stock and working-capital risk; (4) dependence on a few large workshop customers; (5) price pressure from large groups and online sellers. Due diligence should check stock ageing, customer concentration and the share of sales from combustion-engine parts.
▶How do electric cars affect automotive parts distributors?
Electric cars have no oil, filters, exhaust or clutch and wear brakes more slowly, so they need fewer traditional wear parts; they need more electronics, software and high-voltage know-how instead. With electric cars at 5.2% of the Swiss fleet in 2025, the effect is gradual, and the ageing combustion fleet keeps repair demand high for years.
▶Where are Swiss automotive parts distributors located?
Using BFS figures for 2024: Western Switzerland has the most parts firms (180, with 1,557 employees), followed by Zurich (167; 1,074), Eastern Switzerland (117; 573), Central Switzerland (111; 2,541), Northwestern Switzerland (100; 1,374), Bern and Solothurn (91; 1,147) and Ticino (59; 252). Central Switzerland has the most employees because SAG is registered in Risch.