Nine Departments Unveil 17 Measures to Boost Full-Chain Development of Automotive Aftermarket

Recently, the Ministry of Commerce and eight other government departments jointly issued the "Notice on Several Measures to Cultivate and Expand Automotive Aftermarket Consumption." The notice outlines 17 systematic measures focused on six key areas—including vehicle modification and RV camping—to comprehensively coordinate services across the entire vehicle lifecycle and integrate the full aftermarket value chain. China now has over 370 million vehicles in circulation, with more than half of passenger cars exceeding seven years of age. This aging fleet is driving rapid growth in demand for maintenance, repair, and modification services, continuously unlocking the trillion-yuan potential of the existing vehicle market. Vehicles are evolving from mere transportation tools into multifunctional living spaces, spurring the rise of compliant vehicle modification and other emerging business models. Integration across commerce, culture, tourism, sports, and wellness is further expanding consumption boundaries, while China’s robust automotive industrial system provides strong support for aftermarket development. However, the industry still faces significant challenges: inadequate standards and regulatory frameworks in sectors like vehicle modification; restricted access to authorized repair services for the "three electric systems" (battery, motor, and electronic control) of new energy vehicles, which raises ownership costs and lacks standardized service protocols; limited investment from social capital in emerging sectors due to preference for mature markets; a shortage of multidisciplinary talent; and insufficient integration between the automotive sector and other industries, compounded by weak interdepartmental mechanisms for resource sharing—all of which constrain the market’s full potential. To address these issues, the policy proposes actions across four dimensions: First, institutional innovation—establishing an industry-wide regulatory framework to standardize oversight across all six key business areas. Second, full-chain collaboration—building an integrated ecosystem linking manufacturing, services, and consumption to enhance operational efficiency throughout the value chain. Third, industrial upgrading—innovating investment and financing models to channel capital toward emerging sectors and establishing cross-sector talent development alliances. Fourth, scenario integration—promoting deeper convergence between the automotive industry and multiple sectors to create new cross-industry consumption spaces.