Analysis
NAICS 423120 is the 2022 national industry for motor vehicle supplies and new parts merchant wholesalers, part of 42312 (Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers). Census lists 40 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 12,266 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 218,432 people at an average annual payroll of $67,544 per employee (48th percentile of national industries). 40% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include aftermarket parts, automotive, merchant wholesalers, auto body shop supplies merchant wholesalers, automobile accessories (except tires, tubes) merchant… and automobile glass merchant wholesalers, among 40 in all.
Census lists 4 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 423130, 424690, 424720 and 423140. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
For example, merchant wholesale distribution of new and/or used tires and tubes are classified in 423130 (Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers) instead.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 5% and employment rose 1%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of motor vehicle supplies, accessories, tools, and equipment; and new motor vehicle parts (except new tires and tubes).
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Merchant wholesale distribution of new and/or used tires and tubes | 423130 Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers |
| Merchant wholesale distribution of automotive chemicals (except lubricating oils and greases) | 424690 Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers |
| Merchant wholesale distribution of lubricating oils and greases | 424720 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers (except Bulk Stations and Terminals) |
| Merchant wholesale distribution of used motor vehicle parts | 423140 Motor Vehicle Parts (Used) Merchant Wholesalers |
Index entries (40)
- Aftermarket parts, automotive, merchant wholesalers
- Auto body shop supplies merchant wholesalers
- Automobile accessories (except tires, tubes) merchant wholesalers
- Automobile glass merchant wholesalers
- Automobile service station equipment merchant wholesalers
- Automotive brakes merchant wholesalers
- Automotive parts, new, merchant wholesalers
- Automotive stampings merchant wholesalers
- Balancing equipment, motor vehicle, merchant wholesalers
- Batteries, automotive, merchant wholesalers
- Engine testing equipment, motor vehicle, merchant wholesalers
- Engines and parts, automotive, new, merchant wholesalers
- Gasoline marketing equipment merchant wholesalers
- Gasoline measuring and dispensing pumps merchant wholesalers
- Gasoline service station equipment merchant wholesalers
- Generators, motor vehicle electrical, new, merchant wholesalers
- Glass, automotive, merchant wholesalers
- Handtools, motor vehicle mechanics', merchant wholesalers
- Hardware, motor vehicle, merchant wholesalers
- Hoists, automotive, merchant wholesalers
- Mechanic's tools merchant wholesalers
- Mirrors, automotive, merchant wholesalers
- Motor vehicle instruments, electric, merchant wholesalers
- Motor vehicle parts and accessories, new, merchant wholesalers
- Motorcycle parts, new, merchant wholesalers
- Mufflers, exhaust, merchant wholesalers
- Oil filters, automotive, merchant wholesalers
- Parts, new, motor vehicle, merchant wholesalers
- Pistons and valves, automotive, merchant wholesalers
- Pumps (e.g., fuel, oil, power steering, water), automotive, merchant wholesalers
- Radiators, motor vehicle, merchant wholesalers
- Seat belts, motor vehicle, merchant wholesalers
- Seat covers, automotive, merchant wholesalers
- Shop equipment, service station, merchant wholesalers
- Testing and measuring equipment, electrical, automotive, merchant wholesalers
- Tools and equipment, motor vehicle, merchant wholesalers
- Trailer parts, new, merchant wholesalers
- Truck parts, new, merchant wholesalers
- Voltage regulators, motor vehicle, merchant wholesalers
- Wheels, motor vehicle, new, merchant wholesalers