Preface: Global Perspectives and Disciplinary Angles in Understanding the Automotive Aftermarket

Despite rich literature and research on the primary automotive industry and business, there is very limited literature focusing on the automotive aftermarket and the related business actors and ecosystems. Automotive aftermarket can be addressed by multiple disciplinary angles, e.g. engineering, marketing, supply chain, innovation, strategy, and other management disciplines. The complex and intertwined nature of the automotive aftermarket as a structure may partly shadow its importance as a societally, technologically, economically, environmentally, and politically relevant business sector. In general, there is lack of interest and awareness of the automotive aftermarket regardless of its effects on economy, employment, sustainability, and mobility. This gap extends from education to institutional regulation. The automotive aftermarket is not “just” after-sales repair, in fact, it represents a fabric of diverse business contributing to mobility solutions, data management and sustainability development. This book explores inherent themes, challenges, and potentials of the automotive aftermarket from different global, thematic, and disciplinary angles written by a range of authors and experts. It contributes to advancing the automotive aftermarket related knowledge and awareness.