The year that was 2024 certainly saw its fair share of important aftermarket moves. Clearly dominating the news cycle was the buzz surrounding Advance Auto Parts announced intention to sell its Worldpac business, eventually completed toward the end of the year. But there was more than just this going on, with several key players finding their organizations at or near the top of the Jobber Nation Most Read Aftermarket Stories of 2024.

The running for the Top 10 Most Read List was incredibly tight, with only a few reads separating all but the most popular, and the same held true for those stories falling just outside the top 10. With this in mind, we’ve included some “Honourable Mentions” which you will find below the Top 10 list.

You can read the stories in their entirety by clicking on the headlines. Happy reading!!

We can’t wait to see what 2025 will bring!

#10
Advance Auto Parts seeing results from actions

Advance Auto Parts, Inc., a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider in North America that serves both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers, announced its financial results for the first quarter ended April 20, 2024.
“Our team continues to execute against our decisive actions, including commencing our supply chain consolidation and making meaningful progress toward the potential sale of Worldpac,” said Shane O’Kelly, president and chief executive officer.

#9
Aftermarket acquisitions boost Genuine Parts Company results

Genuine Parts Company, most closely identified with the NAPA Auto Parts network, announced its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, stating that acquisitions played a key role in bolstering its results.

#8
Advance Auto Parts selling Worldpac to Carlyle for $1.5B USD

In August, Advance Auto Parts, Inc. , announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Worldpac, Inc., an automotive parts wholesale distribution business, to funds managed by global investment firm Carlyle for $1.5 billion USD in cash.

#7
Advance Auto Parts to retain Carquest Canada operations

In August, in the wake of a months-long pursuit of a buyer for Advance Auto Parts’ Worldpac operation, and its announced sale to Carlyle, the organization announced that it will be retaining its Canadian business best known as Carquest Canada

#6
Genuine Parts Company announces CEO transition

Genuine Parts Company, a leading global distributor of automotive and industrial replacement parts, announced that Paul D. Donahue will transition from chairman and CEO to executive chairman, effective June 3, 2024 with William P. Stengel, II, currently president and COO, succeeding him as president and CEO of GPC and will serve as a member of the board of directors.

#5
Epicor launches next-generation eCommerce platform

Originally announced in October 2023, Epicor’s announcement of a powerful and highly flexible new B2B eCommerce platform to serve automotive replacement parts distributors and their customers continued to attract many readers in 2024.

#4
Automotive Parts Associates names Bestbuy’s Michael MacPherson to board

In May, Automotive Parts Associates (APA) announced the appointment of Michael MacPherson to its board of directors. He will represent Bestbuy Distributors Limited on the board. As a director, MacPherson will partner with a crucial team dedicated to steering significant decisions for the association.

#3
UAP acquires key stores in Montreal for NAPA Auto Parts network

In February 2024, a noted Montreal area three-store group was acquired by the UAP Inc. to be part of the NAPA Auto Parts network. Operating as Groupe Dorval-Souces-Ste-Henri (or simply Groupe DSH), the three stores have become key players in the Montreal market.

#2 Most Read Story of 2024
Top automotive innovations on vehicles in Canada

The three winners of the 2024 AJAC Innovation Awards, presented by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), with a range of attributes leading the selections and presenting a host of challenges, and maybe a few opportunities, when these systems hit the aftermarket.

#1 Most Read Story of 2024

Advance Auto Parts looking to sell Worldpac in Q2, Carquest Canada on deck

In March 2024, during the fourth quarter and full year results call, Advance Auto Parts CEO Shane O’Kelly provided information on the sale of its Worldpac and its Canadian business, operating as Carquest Canada. The sale of Worldpac would be announced later in the year, alongside the decision to retain those Carquest Canada Operations.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Doug Williams: A life in Canada’s aftermarket remembered

One of Canada’s most recognizable, respected and well-liked aftermarket veteran Doug Williams passed away January 2 2024 at the age of 77. Williams was laid to rest Monday, January 8, in Wellandport Cemetery, following services at Pleasantview Funeral Home in Fonthill, Ont. Best known in recent years for founding National Sales Inc. in 1998,

O’Reilly makes its presence felt at Vast-Auto convention

In addition to presentations on new store identity and shop banner program being introduced as a result of the new O’Reilly Automotive ownership, the Vast-Automotive convention also presented store and shop awards. 

Bestbuy names new board, recognizes shareholders, vendors

One of Canada’s most enduring aftermarket organzations, Bestbuy Distributors honoured suppliers and shareholders at its 70th Annual AGM and Spring Conference including the gala dinner event in Toronto in May 2024. It was the first AGM for President and COO Nick Brunet, who joined Bestbuy in October 2023.

Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance winter meeting its largest yet
The Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc., the program group headquarters for Auto Value, held its 2024 Alliance Winter Shareholder Meeting at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry in Aventura, Florida, with its largest gathering yet. Strong readership landed this report near the top of the late-year happenings.

Right to Repair: Finally, a win in the books. What’s next?

For much of Canada’s automotive aftermarket, the Right to Repair issue has been one of both importance and some frustration. For a long time, years of effort passed without any real progress toward a legislative solution. Finally, late in the year, real progress.