Automotive parts exports from US, by country
Mexico, Canada and China are the three highest-ranked markets for automotive parts exports from the US, although for significantly different reasons. In 2021, total automotive parts exported from the US to the world increased 6% to US$70.9 billion. That follows a 21% drop in 2020. The peak in US exports of auto parts was 2018 at US$88.8 billion. Scroll down to see export data tables.
Those three countries are also the three highest for auto parts imports into the US. In 2018, total auto parts imported to the US from all countries was over $158 billion (US$) marking a 7% increase over 2017. Follow this link for statistics on automotive parts imports.
Automotive parts exports, top 10 countries 2021:
- Mexico: US$28,064,776,085 (39.5% of total exports of US$70.9 billion in 2021)
- Canada: US$20,980,413,212 (29.5% of total exports)
- China: US$2,981,643,495 (4%)
- Germany: US$1,954,221,591 (3%)
- Japan: US$1,377,839,729 (2%)
- Australia: US$1,219,202,314 (1.7%)
- Brazil: US$1,172,739,543 (1.6%)
- United Kingdom: US$998,046,316 (1.4%)
- Thailand: US$848,721,384 (1.1%)
- South Africa: US$714,970,666 (1%)
These top 10 countries receive 85% of all US exports of automotive parts. Scroll down for our interactive table of exports from the US for the top 20 countries, which receive 93% of total US exports.
Automotive parts exports from the US to China
China is projected to produce over 27 million vehicles in 2023, and is the third largest market for US automotive parts. Click To Tweet For OEM as well as aftermarket automotive parts, China ranks high because China has a very high level of vehicle production as a base. China is projected to manufacture over 27 million vehicles in 2023, including commercial and private vehicles.
China produced an average of nearly 18 million vehicles per year from 2012 to 2014, and in 2015 produced as many as 24 million vehicles according to Investopedia. This puts China ahead of the US, the world’s second-largest vehicle manufacturer.
This level of vehicle production is more than twice as large as Japan, which produced just over 8 million vehicles per year from 2012 to 2014.
This high level of vehicle manufacturing is why China is the third largest market for U.S. automotive parts. US auto part exports to China grew from $1.5 billion in 2011 to over $3.2 billion in 2020, an increase of 113%. The peak year for US automotive parts exports to China was 2018, reaching $3.6 billion.
Automotive parts exports to Canada and Mexico
Mexico and Canada are the top two markets for OE and aftermarket automotive parts, even though they produce fewer vehicles than China. Canada averaged about 1 million vehicles per year and Mexico averaged almost 2 million per year, between 2012 and 2014. Both Canada and Mexico have historically been the largest foreign markets for US automotive parts, accounting for almost three-quarters of all US auto parts exports in 2014 and 2015.
This is partially because the automotive industry and automotive supply chains are highly integrated between Canada, Mexico and the United States, plus cross-border shipping is easier than with countries that require crossing an ocean.
Trade between Canada, Mexico and the United States was facilitated by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was in effect from January 1, 1994 until July 1, 2020. It was replaced with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which was ratified in March 2020 and took effect on July 1, 2020.
Exports of auto parts from the United States
In 2018 US exports of automotive parts worldwide peaked at $88.8B. Click To TweetIn 2016 the US exported over $85 billion in automotive parts. 2017 was up 6.5% over 2016. US auto parts exports have nearly doubled since 2009. The top five countries receiving OEM and aftermarket auto parts are Canada, Mexico, China, Germany and Japan. Countries receiving aftermarket parts only are Canada, Mexico, China, Hong Kong and Singapore. Here is a table showing the top 20 countries that are export partners to the US, and the entire world, for the past seven years. The table includes both OEM and aftermarket auto parts and can be sorted and searched.
US Parts Exports 2011-2021
US Exports of Automotive Parts by Country| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WORLD | $70,940,946,145 | $66,690,189,567 | $85,557,281,518 | $88,763,568,799 | $86,585,064,738 | $81,095,584,470 | $81,926,910,916 | $81,973,385,300 | $78,292,128,360 | $75,611,043,499 | $68,368,016,593 |
| Mexico | $28,064,776,085 | $24,702,996,492 | $33,078,362,469 | $32,490,990,187 | $29,985,200,601 | $28,529,813,982 | $30,240,165,386 | $29,409,349,014 | $26,735,423,185 | $24,478,450,890 | $21,568,848,759 |
| Canada | $20,980,413,212 | $21,515,112,125 | $29,253,812,404 | $30,568,376,381 | $31,549,623,860 | $31,039,463,638 | $29,751,280,237 | $30,774,766,180 | $31,890,548,285 | $31,955,228,492 | $28,530,274,663 |
| China | $2,981,643,495 | $3,235,547,831 | $2,533,942,733 | $3,608,512,907 | $3,534,136,201 | $2,899,630,984 | $2,416,809,873 | $2,602,697,256 | $2,301,182,422 | $1,620,673,464 | $1,555,099,130 |
| Germany | $1,954,221,591 | $1,732,546,175 | $2,153,496,332 | $2,478,114,185 | $2,366,189,477 | $2,107,364,213 | $1,989,418,078 | $1,851,426,632 | $1,753,269,192 | $1,663,326,163 | $1,741,448,754 |
| Japan | $1,377,839,729 | $1,111,360,027 | $1,432,996,264 | $1,833,503,675 | $1,760,471,306 | $1,616,463,098 | $1,582,247,285 | $1,441,237,784 | $1,349,867,761 | $1,496,215,918 | $1,448,578,767 |
| Australia | $1,219,202,314 | $1,105,734,563 | $1,163,493,227 | $1,205,840,586 | $1,167,394,647 | $1,082,493,007 | $1,334,754,596 | $1,485,845,612 | $1,547,719,041 | $1,983,566,990 | $1,437,914,059 |
| Brazil | $1,172,739,543 | $887,608,175 | $1,117,232,381 | $1,220,353,619 | $2,144,609,042 | $1,145,476,028 | $1,040,848,685 | $1,082,749,667 | $1,098,914,971 | $1,020,763,114 | $1,090,302,708 |
| United Kingdom | $998,046,316 | $995,549,891 | $1,784,053,446 | $1,996,811,513 | $1,584,973,856 | $1,496,276,596 | $1,571,908,704 | $1,412,976,303 | $972,247,192 | $1,078,499,637 | $1,136,861,322 |
| Thailand | $848,721,384 | $700,185,801 | $816,168,531 | $545,006,915 | $662,064,060 | $622,419,324 | $338,185,855 | $278,657,460 | $376,344,926 | $327,100,565 | $168,446,599 |
| Republic of South Africa | $714,970,666 | $575,814,535 | $708,185,323 | $667,917,931 | $433,607,766 | $347,078,283 | $425,278,905 | $365,556,707 | $325,478,922 | $360,965,774 | $354,174,266 |
| Russia | $706,039,578 | $466,356,374 | $456,554,842 | $425,519,228 | $454,620,500 | $370,193,873 | $385,612,503 | $548,805,633 | $495,731,757 | $289,528,130 | $263,819,685 |
| United Arab Emirates | $679,093,397 | $555,988,725 | $604,219,010 | $577,135,200 | $648,199,680 | $600,994,731 | $695,802,045 | $731,583,742 | $573,565,264 | $506,519,003 | $394,666,791 |
| India | $610,003,050 | $441,684,262 | $539,841,535 | $615,491,991 | $486,020,535 | $272,879,207 | $269,373,680 | $245,925,508 | $211,256,850 | $312,812,964 | $289,974,371 |
| Spain | $604,761,665 | $713,268,101 | $586,965,773 | $485,111,649 | $378,473,611 | $403,464,059 | $430,638,225 | $303,240,873 | $253,332,839 | $176,950,687 | $157,653,715 |
| Hong Kong | $561,992,261 | $615,848,290 | $511,102,471 | $604,091,422 | $475,032,388 | $376,904,950 | $517,408,444 | $824,185,951 | $403,642,336 | $285,443,704 | $254,152,278 |
| Korea | $544,917,372 | $543,068,757 | $694,928,238 | $779,888,671 | $893,663,286 | $983,609,972 | $940,846,285 | $911,198,982 | $814,673,938 | $723,761,165 | $817,957,083 |
| Belgium | $512,249,849 | $382,191,379 | $563,491,464 | $498,295,253 | $460,388,529 | $449,311,166 | $528,593,600 | $518,185,839 | $457,481,927 | $557,268,984 | $581,095,917 |
| Italy | $440,018,930 | $764,984,613 | $714,354,072 | $830,934,519 | $819,275,301 | $633,906,984 | $810,879,289 | $510,947,647 | $342,270,002 | $274,680,459 | $254,421,088 |
| Chile | $409,438,877 | $338,864,621 | $409,740,268 | $368,481,852 | $349,426,236 | $343,411,407 | $457,646,776 | $548,204,916 | $567,805,862 | $573,249,494 | $514,999,322 |
| Netherlands | $283,804,457 | $780,557,657 | $937,446,514 | $1,318,860,897 | $1,132,413,307 | $942,676,062 | $831,838,170 | $599,595,928 | $362,983,289 | $231,366,855 | $281,585,525 |
The role of tier two and tier three automotive suppliers in exports
Tier one companies are direct suppliers to OEMs. These suppliers, in turn, get parts and sub components from tier two and tier three companies. It is similar for aftermarket parts suppliers, but with some differences. A common aftermarket replacement part, such as a transmission or suspension part, may be the exact same part, built by the same OEM manufacturer/supplier. Specialty components and accessories, purchased by consumers to customize or enhance their vehicle, tend to come from non-tier one manufacturers.
The Federal International Trade Administration has ranked the top counties by their openness to trade for automotive aftermarket parts. Among the top 20 counties that receive auto parts exports from the US, the counties most open to trade are Hong Kong, Singapore, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates. Countries least open to trade with the US are Brazil, China, Mexico, Russia and Thailand.
Exports of auto parts from the US by part type, 2017-2021
This table shows the types of parts exported from the United States by year, 2017-2021. It includes both OEM and aftermarket auto parts and shows the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code for each part type. This table can be sorted and searched.
| HTS Number | Description | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6813.81 | Brake lining and pads | $37,665,286 | $36,906,945 | $57,956,243 | $52,337,203 | $37,486,935 |
| 7007.11 | Tempered safety glass (vehicles, aircraft, boats) | $1,354,669,622 | $1,280,621,580 | $1,504,939,438 | $1,516,255,477 | $1,526,964,182 |
| 7009.10 | Rear-view mirrors | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 8301.20 | Vehicle locks | $84,991,625 | $86,479,919 | $124,152,570 | $143,911,795 | $140,873,365 |
| 8302.30 | Other mountings and fittings | $891,064,333 | $747,575,648 | $966,572,935 | $920,793,441 | $843,926,658 |
| 8511.10 | Spark plugs | $154,639,761 | $137,010,332 | $193,538,316 | $188,415,606 | $186,200,341 |
| 8511.20 | Magnetos and flywheels | $11,425,914 | $10,299,650 | $18,731,036 | $16,131,720 | $13,764,571 |
| 8511.30 | Distributors and ignition coils | $152,326,394 | $138,643,686 | $183,154,403 | $156,783,991 | $169,685,123 |
| 8511.40 | Starters | $420,881,856 | $486,323,001 | $648,656,538 | $558,193,321 | $518,571,598 |
| 8511.50 | Generators and other generator parts | $380,030,962 | $420,314,403 | $504,792,031 | $521,034,561 | $526,174,442 |
| 8511.80 | Other ignition parts | $90,260,108 | $99,251,433 | $134,773,909 | $126,179,557 | $116,920,092 |
| 8511.90 | Other misc parts for lighting, wipers or defrosters | $137,166,535 | $111,495,671 | $145,753,612 | $142,762,628 | $152,947,925 |
| 8512.20 | Lighting (automotive and motorycles) | $1,020,292,837 | $1,047,751,500 | $1,319,332,969 | $1,325,926,381 | $1,249,717,078 |
| 8512.30 | Horns (automotive and motorcycles) | $62,520,389 | $61,514,676 | $89,120,419 | $97,389,245 | $104,836,435 |
| 8512.40 | Wipers and defrosters | $45,098,916 | $46,598,529 | $55,987,821 | $56,001,409 | $58,433,019 |
| 8512.90 | Parts for lighting, wipers or defrosters | $349,890,463 | $299,881,563 | $401,110,547 | $439,173,018 | $439,795,295 |
| 8527.21 | Radios | $120,703,292 | $86,731,288 | $163,873,106 | $252,339,532 | $344,077,428 |
| 8527.29 | Other misc. radios | $124,297,606 | $100,403,690 | $68,522,444 | $75,419,786 | $121,585,976 |
| 8708.10 | Bumpers and parts | $559,529,161 | $555,501,367 | $780,914,109 | $789,194,405 | $650,099,239 |
| 8708.21 | Seat belts | $54,866,987 | $69,434,739 | $87,194,273 | $103,741,979 | $96,906,905 |
| 8708.29 | Body parts excluding cabs | $6,503,239,678 | $6,492,856,646 | $8,393,886,828 | $8,688,700,377 | $8,461,534,757 |
| 8708.30 | Brakes and parts | $1,814,265,609 | $1,707,369,751 | $2,223,133,247 | $2,482,220,178 | $2,508,908,417 |
| 8708.40 | Gear boxes | $6,070,193,565 | $5,923,692,752 | $7,530,155,381 | $8,107,901,743 | $7,440,180,401 |
| 8708.50 | Drive axles with differential | $2,270,395,380 | $1,969,640,177 | $2,604,172,322 | $2,693,343,866 | $2,443,441,064 |
| 8708.70 | Wheels and parts | $662,012,252 | $566,777,926 | $770,320,299 | $816,435,577 | $813,947,400 |
| 8708.80 | Shock absorbers | $1,729,978,998 | $1,605,449,192 | $2,016,546,496 | $2,115,329,866 | $2,093,039,398 |
| 8708.91 | Radiators | $339,230,963 | $276,099,099 | $398,292,438 | $401,413,417 | $417,437,868 |
| 8708.92 | Mufflers and exhaust | $570,763,630 | $502,052,589 | $721,897,818 | $721,848,101 | $721,799,492 |
| 8708.93 | Clutches and parts | $781,044,132 | $695,756,514 | $851,976,457 | $859,889,524 | $794,593,522 |
| 8708.94 | Steering parts | $1,506,862,071 | $1,308,980,448 | $1,732,326,617 | $2,190,022,729 | $2,114,335,335 |
| 8708.95 | Airbags | $925,177,406 | $966,908,534 | $1,470,353,889 | $1,327,137,780 | $1,414,063,476 |
| 8708.99 | All other automotive parts | $7,673,986,759 | $6,485,039,447 | $8,054,914,658 | $8,827,206,757 | $9,915,233,543 |
| 9401.20 | Seats | $300,931,796 | $272,074,409 | $337,001,499 | $352,316,143 | $281,344,856 |
More information on the aftermarket
If you’d like more information on the automotive aftermarket, including size of the aftermarket in the US, Canada, Mexico and other countries, read this post on the size of the automotive aftermarket.
Information sources for this article
United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Foreign Trade Division; Bureau of the Census USA Trade and Investopedia. Import and export statistics pulled from TPIS Database: USHS IMPORTS, Revised Statistics for 2011-2021.