Core Insights - The report by the China Chain Store & Franchise Association (CCFA) and Roland Berger outlines four key trends in the automotive aftermarket: chain development, market penetration, new energy, and digitalization [1] Group 1: Market Growth and Trends - In 2024, the top 50 automotive aftermarket chain enterprises will continue to expand their store numbers, with significant differences in growth rates among different types and sizes of companies [3] - The most notable growth is seen in the auto parts supply chain sector, driven by the surge in demand for "immediate parts supply" for new energy vehicle repairs and rapid establishment of supply networks in lower-tier markets [3] - Super-large chains (over 2,000 stores) exhibit outstanding growth, while large chains (500-2,000 stores) show stable growth, and medium chains (200-500 stores) experience a slight slowdown [3] Group 2: New Energy Services - All surveyed companies have ventured into new energy services, but the pace and implementation models vary significantly [3] - Super-large chains have a considerable number of new energy service stores, but their actual business penetration remains low due to bottlenecks such as "three electric system authorization qualifications" and "technician training costs" [3][4] - Medium chains are experiencing polarization, with some leading firms achieving full coverage of new energy services, while others struggle due to insufficient technical reserves [4] Group 3: Expansion Strategies - Companies are optimistic about their development in 2025, particularly in store expansion, with car wash and beauty service enterprises showing the strongest expansion intentions [4] - The core drivers for expansion include the rapid growth in demand for high-value paint protection for new energy vehicles and strategies for low-cost customer acquisition [4] - The lower-tier markets, especially in counties and towns, are becoming competitive battlegrounds, with expectations of doubling the number of car wash and beauty service stores by 2025 [4] Group 4: Digitalization as a Necessity - Digitalization is now considered a survival necessity rather than an added advantage, with companies that effectively implement digital strategies showing significant advantages in transaction conversion and customer retention [5] - Key areas for digitalization include pre-visit remote diagnostics to accurately identify user needs, AI pre-inspection systems to enhance technician efficiency, and personalized service offerings based on user behavior data [5][6]