ACES and PIES Data Standards Questions and Answers
ACES and PIES data are essential standards for auto parts eCommerce. If you sell aftermarket parts online, understanding these data formats is key to ensuring accurate fitment, clean product listings, structuring categories, and better visibility across sales channels. In this article, we’ll break down what ACES® (Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard) and PIES™ (Product Information Exchange Standard) data are, why they matter, and how to use them to grow your online sales.
(Note: here’s a link for information on PIES data and how it affects auto parts SEO.)
PIES product data standard for products and attributes
PIES (Product Information Exchange Standard) is the automotive aftermarket industry’s data standard for products.
It’s used to exchange product information between manufacturers, distributors and resellers. It was created to solve a massive problem in the industry when manufacturers and distributors started sharing product information that was non-standardized. Back then, information had descriptions of various lengths, abbreviations, missing information, and other errors.
The current PIES standard is version is 7.2, Revision 7, released March 2024.
The PIES standard covers over 20,000 “part types” of aftermarket parts and accessories. Aftermarket suppliers publish PIES data for their entire product lines and send it to their distributors, usually using third-party data companies to perform this service.
Using PIES as a data standard lets a supplier’s entire supply chain can accurately and consistently describe products online, in print, and in MRP and inventory systems.
The PIES™ (Product Information Exchange Standard) product data standard covers product-level data.
PIES data includes product descriptions, extended (longer) product descriptions, packaging information, warranty information, hazardous materials if applicable, country of origin and pricing.
It also includes features, benefits, product specifications such as dimension and weight, and more.
The newest version of the PIES standard, version 7.2, now includes products for heavy duty vehicles.
The PIES data standard is free for aftermarket companies to use, but related databases require an annual subscription. Subscribers can download files as Microsoft Access 2007, tab-delimited ASCII, MySQL/PostgreSQL, SQL Server 2008 R2 or JSON (JavaScript Object Notation). But, if you’re currently using ASCII or MySQL, those formats are only going to be supported until January 2026. The Auto Care Association officially released their API in January, 2025, and lets you download JSON data as frequently as every day.
PCdb product classification database
The Product Classification database (PCdb) is also an industry standard, and defines a standard list of part types and categories, such as “spark plug” for example. The PCdb covers replacement parts, service parts, collision repair parts and aftermarket supplies. As of January, 2023, the PCdb requires a subscription to the PAdb (below) or the VCdb (scroll down to the ACES section).
PAdb product attribute database
The Product Attribute database is part of the PIES standard as well as the ACES standard. It includes 20 product categories and describes the fit, form and function of aftermarket products. The PAdb is massive: it includes over 108,000 product attributes in over 12,000 part terminologies, as of March 2020. It also now includes products for medium- and heavy-duty trucks.
New API for PIES and ACES
The big news in 2025 is the release of the new Application Programming Interface (API) to access ACES and PIES data, as we mentioned a couple of paragraphs above. This new API not only lets you download daily data, it will allow access to the Vehicle Configuration database (VCdb) and the Qualifier database (Qdb) for ACES. It also includes the Product Classification database (PCdb), the Product Attribute database (PAdb), and the Brand Table for both ACES and PIES. And includes Translation Reference Databases for VCdb, Qdb, PCdb, and PAdb.
In theory, you can use any programming language that supports HTTP requests to access the API, but the Auto Care Association has documentation using C# programming and has examples how to use C# for API calls.
The Auto Care Association publishes a 15-page API Usage Guide.
PIES data and SEO
PIES, as a data standard, was created to exchange data. Unfortunately, fast-forward to today and thousands of websites publish product descriptions from PIES files, word-for-word. We strongly recommend against this, because for automotive SEO you don’t want to have the same website content as, literally, thousands of other websites.
ACES product data standard for year, make, model vehicle fitment
The ACES® (Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard) aftermarket fitment standard defines vehicle fitment.
ACES (Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard) is the aftermarket industry’s data standard in North America to exchange and manage automotive aftermarket data for fitment. It was created due to our industry’s unique requirements for fitment information.
Fitment can include make, model and year; automatic vs. manual transmission, 4WD vs. front wheel drive, and many other variations. Aftermarket manufacturers publish ACES data for their product lines so their entire supply chain is using the same, standardized data.
The ACES standard follows an XML structure. It is available for subscribers to download as Microsoft Access 2007, tab-delimited ASCII, MySQL, SQL Server 2008 R2 or JSON (JavaScript Object Notation). Like PIES data above, Auto Care Association made an API available in January 2025. The API data is in JSON format.
The current standard for ACES is 4.2, Revision 2, released October 2024.
VCdb Vehicle Configuration Database
The Auto Care Association’s vehicle table, referred to as VCdb for “Vehicle Configuration Database,” covers vehicle type. It contains over 60,000 specific combinations of year/make/model cars and trucks. It includes attributes and configurations that go back to 1896 for US-manufactured vehicles. For vehicles manufactured in Canada it goes back to 1942 and 1961 for vehicles manufactured in Mexico. The VCdb covers nine vehicle segments outside of passenger vehicles. This includes agriculture, construction, industrial, lawn and garden, marine propulsion, marine auxiliary, power generation, railway and RV. You can subscribe to the VCdb in two levels with an annual fee paid to the Auto Care Association. One level covers light vehicles and powersports; another level covers medium and heavy duty trucks, GVW classes 4 through 8.
The trade association Auto Care Association (formerly AAIA) of Bethesda, Maryland manages year/make/model fitment through the volunteer Technology Standards Committee. It’s a group of about 20 Auto Care Association members and a couple of association staff liason members.
The aftermarket parts industry’s sources of product fitment can also come from data companies like PDM, Illumaware, RPM Data Services, Vertical Development, SureDone, SEMA-backed SEMA Data, Direct Communications, Inc. (DCi), as well as many others. Fitment doesn’t necessarily need to be in ACES format to be used by the industry, because some companies will accept non-ACES files for fitment. These data companies can provide fitment data in multiple ways.
If you sell parts on Amazon, they prefer to receive ACES product data from either the manufacturer, or from that manufacturer’s approved third party data provider.
What exactly are the ACES and PIES data standards?
ACES (Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard) is an XML structure that uses multiple relational databases to manage and exchange automotive application (fitment) data. PIES (Product Information Exchange Standard) is used to manage and exchange product (part number) data.
ACES and PIES are standard industry data formats for managing and exchanging automotive catalog applications data. Aftermarket manufacturers can send and receive parts data using industry standard vehicle applications (such as year, make, model), part types and qualifier statements. Product information in PIES files is categorized into over 20,000 product types that are organized into 25 categories.
Here’s a quick way to remember PIES vs. ACES: A PIES file—begins with “P”—is a list of Part numbers and Prices. An ACES file—begins with “A”—is a list of Applications, like a fitment application guide showing the different years/makes/models a part fits. Inside the aftermarket industry, we often refer to vehicle fitment as “applications.”
Those are shortcuts of course and have nothing to do with the real meanings or names.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What are ACES and PIES data standards?
A: ACES (Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard) and PIES (Product Information Exchange Standard) are industry data standards to organize and distribute automotive parts data. ACES focuses on vehicle fitment (what fits what, and what fits where), while PIES standardizes product information like weight, description, country of origin, images, and pricing. Together, they ensure consistent, accurate listings across eCommerce platforms and retail channels.
Q: Do I need ACES and PIES data to sell auto parts online?
A: Technically you don’t need ACES and PIES data, but practically yes, you do. Most major marketplaces and distributors expect ACES and PIES-compliant data. Without it, sellers risk inaccurate fitment, inconsistent product listings, and poor customer experience — all of which can hurt sales and increase returns.
Q: How do ACES and PIES standards benefit manufacturers and retailers, especially in eCommerce?
A: These standards streamline how product data is shared across retailers, marketplaces, and ERPs. Benefits include faster time-to-market, fewer fitment errors, reduced returns, improved SEO (when customized), and stronger brand consistency across sales channels.
Q: Can I generate ACES and PIES data in-house, or should I use a vendor?
A: Larger companies with dedicated IT and cataloging teams may choose to manage ACES and PIES files internally. However, many eCommerce sellers and manufacturers prefer third-party providers or PIM (Product Information Management) systems to simplify setup, updates, and integration.
Q: What eCommerce platforms support ACES and PIES data?
A: Platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, eTools Developers, Web Shop Manager and Magento can support ACES and PIES with the help of middleware, plugins, or custom integrations. Some PIM systems and auto parts apps help bridge the gap between ACES/PIES formats and eCommerce store requirements.
Q: How do I get started with ACES and PIES data?
A: To begin using ACES and PIES, the easiest way is to work with an automotive data provider, or a software solution like a Product Information Management platform (PIM) capable of managing your product data according to these data standards.
Q: How often should I update my ACES and PIES data files?
A: Ideally, data should be updated monthly — or daily if your system supports the API. Vehicle data changes frequently, and keeping up-to-date ensures that new model year fitments and product updates are accurately reflected across all platforms.
Q: How does ACES and PIES data affect my website’s SEO?
A: While PIES provides structured product content, using it “as-is” can lead to duplicate content issues with other websites. For best SEO results, customize product descriptions, enhance titles, and incorporate a unique brand message while still maintaining the core structured PIES data. Since ACES data applies to fitment, ACES data makes it possible to create vehicle categories or vehicle-themed landing pages, which can help SEO.
Q: Can I buy an ACES and PIES database?
A: You can’t buy a comprehensive ‘auto parts data database’, an ‘automotive parts fitment database’ or an ‘ACES and PIES database’. Data companies manage parts databases by brand or by manufacturer for their clients. These clients are usually the source of the original data. There are many, many individual databases in the industry created to be compliant with ACES and PIES data standards. If someone is searching for one universal database containing all the industry’s manufacturers part numbers, a comprehensive auto parts data database just doesn’t exist.
Intellectual property
ACES® is a registered trademark of the Auto Care Association. It is registration number 5706636, applied for on March 28, 2017 and approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on March 26, 2019. PIES™ is also a trademark of the Auto Care Association. It is registration number 7108157, applied for on September 23, 2019 and approved by the USPTO on July 11, 2023.
For more information: article on ACES and PIES data on AutomotiveAftermarket.org.
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