Peculiarities of the Automotive industry and the power of datasets 

The automotive industry is a complex ecosystem shaped by many factors — from regional nuances and economic conditions to consumer income levels, local regulations, brand loyalty, and supply chain logistics. 

Success in this field depends on understanding and adapting to these peculiarities. Some challenges — like navigating international regulations or managing global supply chains — are inherently complex. Others, however, can be effectively addressed with data-driven decisions. 

The key? Getting the right data. 

Why data is critical in the Automotive market 

Collecting market intelligence manually — for example, monitoring competitors’ spare parts prices — can be exhausting and counterproductive, especially when dealing with hundreds of thousands of SKUs across multiple regions. 

This is where comprehensive datasets become a game-changer. They allow manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to make decisions based on facts, trends, and logic, rather than on guesswork. 

What are datasets? 

In business terms, a dataset is a structured collection of information gathered from one or more sources. In the automotive industry, datasets can include: 

• Product names, SKUs, and technical specifications
• Pricing for both OEM (original equipment manufacturer) and aftermarket products
• Availability and stock levels
• Customer ratings, reviews, and demand trends

When sourced and updated regularly, datasets form the foundation for market analysis, competitor benchmarking, and strategic planning. 

MAP policy and why it matters 

A Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) policy is an agreement between a manufacturer and its retailers stipulating that the retailer will not advertise a product below a certain pre-set price. 

• Purpose: Maintain consistent brand image and prevent damaging price wars
• Impact: Helps protect both manufacturer and retailer profit margins
• Note: Retailers may still sell below the MAP price — but they cannot advertise that lower price 

Example in automotive context: A tire manufacturer enforces a MAP policy to ensure its premium tires are not advertised at bargain-basement prices online. This helps sustain the perception of quality and keeps pricing aligned across different retail channels. 

How Automotive businesses can use datasets 

1. Compare spare parts prices across markets 

Monitor both OEM and generic alternatives. 

Example: A major vehicle and parts manufacturer wants to track over 400,000 products across 20+ countries, focusing on 1–2 key online spare parts marketplaces in each country. By partnering with a data provider, they can automatically track market changes, detect pricing shifts, and adjust strategies. 

2. Compare a single product’s price across platforms and regions 

Track the price of the same product across multiple marketplaces and countries. 

Example: A popular shock absorber sells for €120 on a German marketplace but €150 on a French one. The manufacturer uses this data to adjust its pricing strategy and ensure competitiveness without eroding margins. 

3. Compare local and foreign markets 

Identify differences in pricing, product availability, and demand between domestic and international markets. 

Example: A European retailer uses datasets to compare spare parts prices in Eastern vs. Western Europe, finding significant gaps in aftermarket brake pad pricing — and using this insight to source more cost-effective suppliers. 

4. Track popularity by customer purchasing power 

Demand for certain vehicle models or spare parts often depends on regional income levels and economic conditions. 

Example: In high-income markets, premium alloy wheels may be in high demand, while in emerging markets, affordable steel wheels dominate sales. Datasets reveal these patterns so companies can tailor stock accordingly. 

5. Identify new market opportunities 

Spot gaps in product availability or unmet demand. 

Example: Data analysis shows that in Southeast Asia, there’s growing demand for hybrid vehicle components, but local suppliers offer limited stock. A retailer moves quickly to fill the gap. 

6. Optimize inventory and forecast demand 

Accurate data helps plan stock levels to avoid overstocking or shortages. 

Example: A distributor notices seasonal spikes in demand for winter tires across Northern Europe and adjusts its ordering cycle accordingly. 

7. Measure and track market share 

Understanding market share helps manufacturers and retailers evaluate competitive positioning. 

• Identify the percentage of sales your brand holds in a specific category or region
• Compare your share against competitors and track changes over time
• Spot threats from emerging players before they erode your position

Example: An automotive battery manufacturer tracks market share data quarterly and notices a consistent drop in one region due to a competitor’s aggressive marketing — prompting a timely promotional campaign to recover ground. 

8. Measure demand by region 

Analyze which regions have the highest and lowest demand for specific parts or models. 

Example: Data shows that electric vehicle charging cables are in high demand in Northern Europe but have low adoption rates in parts of Southern Europe. This insight guides targeted marketing and distribution. 

9. Sentiment analysis from customer reviews 

Leverage customer feedback to improve products, service, and marketing messages. 

Example: Sentiment analysis of reviews for a specific brake pad model shows recurring complaints about noise. The manufacturer uses this insight to update the design and highlight the improvement in marketing campaigns. 

Examples of spare parts sources for data collection 

When building datasets, businesses can gather data from both international and local marketplaces, depending on their target regions. 

International sources: 

• Autodoc – Large online automotive parts retailer operating across Europe
• eBay Motors – Global platform for new and used automotive parts
• Amazon Automotive – Wide range of OEM and aftermarket parts
• Partslink24 – OEM spare parts portal for multiple car brands

Regional / Local sources: 

• Oscaro – France-based online parts store
• Mister Auto – Operates in multiple European countries
• Motorcycle Spare Parts – Netherlands-based motorcycle parts platform
• Repco – Australia and New Zealand automotive parts chain

These sites can be monitored for pricing, availability, product specifications, reviews, and promotions, forming the backbone of competitive analysis datasets. 

SSA Group: Your data partner 

SSA Group is a reliable and experienced provider of datasets and web crawling services for the automotive industry. 

You can choose from ready-made datasets or request custom datasets tailored to your specific sources and attributes. 
📌 Explore SSA Group’s datasets 

Case study – Motorcycle Spare Parts 

A client from the Netherlands, Motorcycle Spare Parts, runs an e-commerce shop specializing in identifying and selling motorcycle spare parts through technical drawings. 

• 3.5 million items in catalog
• 50+ years in the market
• 3,000 orders per month
• €2M annual turnover

SSA Group’s data crawling solution enables them to keep their massive inventory updated and competitive. 

To sum up 

In the competitive automotive sector, success depends on understanding your market and acting faster than competitors. 
High-quality datasets give you the insights you need to make informed, profitable decisions — from pricing and inventory management to market expansion strategies. 

To see available automotive or other e-commerce datasets, or to request a custom dataset, visit the SSA Datasets page. 

If you want to develop an automated, custom market analysis tool, SSA Group can build it for your business. 
Contact us today!