Auto Parts Manufacturers NAICS 3363

Nov 20, 2025 - Auto Associations Support Catalytic Converter Bill

• The Automotive Service Association is urging auto repair shops to support the Preventing Auto Recycling Theft Act (PART) as catalytic converter thefts in the US continue to rise. A catalytic converter is a key part of a vehicle’s exhaust system that reduces harmful emissions by converting carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons into less harmful gases. These components are targeted by thieves because they contain valuable metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium, which can be sold quickly for significant profit. The thefts have placed a heavy burden on repair shops, forcing them to manage costly replacements, increased labor, insurance claims, and frustrated vehicle owners. The PART Act proposes VIN stamping on new converters, grants for marking used converters, stricter record-keeping for buyers, and federal penalties for theft and resale, aiming to protect repair shops and reduce losses in the auto repair industry.
• Automakers importing vehicles into the US are bracing for higher logistics costs after new federal port fees increased charges on foreign-built vessels. Much of the industry relies on roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ships - large carriers designed for wheeled cargo like cars, SUVs, and trucks that are driven on and off the vessel rather than lifted by cranes. With fees rising from $14 to $46 per net ton, shipping companies estimate an added $200-$300 per vehicle, a cost that ultimately pressures automakers’ pricing, margins, and import strategies. Wallenius Wilhelmsen, one of the world’s largest Ro-Ro operators, has paused its 2025 financial outlook and expects as much as $100 million in new costs this quarter alone. The uncertainty around how these fees interact with other trade measures adds further complication. If absorbed into supply chains, these increases could push automakers to adjust sourcing, renegotiate shipping contracts, or pass higher costs to consumers.

• The US automotive industry is facing significant parts supply chain disruptions in late 2025, with production delays affecting thousands of vehicles and workers. Aluminum and semiconductor shortages, compounded by high US tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and lingering global supply fragility, are straining factories nationwide. Analysts note that parts availability has dropped sharply compared with pre-pandemic levels, creating ripple effects across the industry. These challenges echo the early-2020s chip shortage but are broader in scope, impacting multiple vehicle lines and slowing output at major automakers including Ford and Stellantis. As a result, US auto production growth has slowed significantly, with some estimates suggesting vehicle delivery times could increase by several weeks to months, depending on the segment. Industry experts warn that these disruptions underscore the US auto sector’s vulnerability to global politics and trade policies, raising concerns not just about immediate supply issues but also about long-term competitiveness and economic security.
• Aftermarket auto accessories have become a critical new revenue stream for original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) as high-tech features in today’s cars allow them to target the consumer more directly in the sale of auto parts and service. According to a Frost & Sullivan report, improvements in manufacturing efficiency and safety features means people keep cars longer (about 12 years on average) and need more maintenance and upgrades as a result. On the services side, OEMs have embraced AI and Internet of Things systems to create subscription-based and e-commerce models for predictive maintenance information and connective vehicle system upgrades. Ford and Toyota in particular have embraced this model for seamless upgrades and continually invest in the sale of new plug-and-play accessories such as lighting kits and audio systems, among others. Auto companies hope such agility and convenience in the aftermarket will spur more brand loyalty.