Automotive Marketing Ideas for Parts, New for 2025

Automotive videography ideas

Use video for social media

These are all about automotive videography ideas, either by posting video on social media or embedded YouTube video on your website. Here are video ideas on what video should be on, and how to easily create video content. These ideas all relate to automotive content marketing.

1. User-generated content: Encourage customers to share videos of installed parts or their project cars on social media. This is called User Generated Content (UGC). Consider offering a prize, like a hat, to anyone who shares a video. Think about a gift certificate to the customer who gets the most likes or shares, turning this into a contest. This is one of the easier video marketing ideas.
2. DIY auto parts installation video tutorials: Create automotive video guides for installing parts to attract auto DIY enthusiasts. Post the video to YouTube so you can embed it on your website, and add links to parts on your site from the YouTube video description or the video transcription.
3. More automotive parts installation video ideas: Add links to video from product pages on your website. Add QR codes to your product packaging so customers can have links to installation video, right when they need it. That may even eliminate customer service emails or phone calls.
4. Create long-form automotive video content but break it down: If you create and post a 10- or 20-minute video that covers multiple topics, like installation steps, post the video but then break it down into short segments that are specific to smaller, subtopics. Post those shorter videos and optimize the YouTube video to show up for those topics. Another benefit, you can use these shorter videos for your auto parts advertising through Google Ads.
5. Post video on multiple platforms: This falls into the category of automotive social media marketing (below), but any parts marketing video posted on YouTube can also be posted on Instagram or Facebook.
6. Create video in multiple formats: Horizontal (16:9 aspect ratio), square and vertical (9:16 aspect ratio).
7. Create short-form “what’s in the box” video: Do an unboxing of your products, either yourself or hire an influencer, to show customers what they get.
8. Create video content on auto parts product demonstrations: If you make stainless steel exhaust systems, put one in saltwater next to regular steel and film a time-lapse video. If you sell wax, show raindrops beading up and film it every week. If you sell lighting parts, show the before/after at night. Use your imagination!
9. Use your phone for video: This video marketing idea saves money: don’t worry about expensive video production, just use your phone. It saves money and creates an authenticity that can’t be reproduced in expensive production.
10. AI in video marketing: This video marketing idea can save you time. AI tools generate personalized video messages, automate video editing, and can analyze audience reactions to improve future content. There are many dozens but check out platforms like Runway, Imagine.art, Fliki, or Vyond. For more information, search for “generative AI video” on Google.

“Good, better, best” is a good marketing strategy.

Parts marketing ideas using cross-promotion, cross-selling and upselling

11. “Good, better, best:” Classify your automotive products into different levels based on price, longevity, performance, or benefits/features. This helps customers understand what they might get by spending a little more, or what they may miss out on buy looking at lower price points. The reason this is a good automotive marketing idea is because you can offer products to people willing to spend different amounts of money, or, you have a line of products that you can upsell to and get a customer to spend more money with you.
12. Upsell to “better” or “best” products: Like we said in idea number 11, once you classify products, you can use facts on longevity, performance, or benefits/features to upsell customers from the “good” products to “better” and from “better” to “best.”
13. Cross-promote auto parts with other companies: Team up with complementary, non-competing companies for joint promotions. For example, a tire company and wheel company working together. Or a floor mat company and a seat cover company working together.
14. Local partnerships: For local auto parts stores, collaborate with local repair shops or garages (that you trust) to recommend your store to their customers, while you recommend their services to yours.
15. Bundle deals: Offer complementary parts as kits or bundles. For example, brake rotors and pads. Offer the kit either at a discounted price, or at full price taking into account the added convenience or peace of mind to the customer. Make sure these bundles are included in your auto parts advertising using Google Shopping.
16. Interactive auto parts compatibility quizzes: Create quizzes, either on your website or on your social media to match customers with the right part. Turn it into a contest!
17. “Buy this, need that:” On your website, link from product pages to other products you need for installation. In a store, use shelf-talker signs to guide customers to products in other aisles.
18. “Buy this, consider that:” You’ll see this on sites where products are shown with “customers also bought these.” On your website, link from product pages to other recommended, complementary products. In a store, suggest related products.
19. Upsell and cross-sell training: Train sales teams or online customer service people to recommend related, complementary or premium parts when talking to customers.
20. AI-driven product recommendations: Use AI to suggest complementary auto parts to customers, based on purchase history.
21. Collaborations with repair apps: Integrate parts listings into popular repair apps like Fixd. You can also buy advertising on apps through Google Ads.
22. Affiliate marketing: Create an affiliate marketing program to partner with bloggers and influencers to drive auto parts sales for you.

Automotive social media marketing

Auto parts advertising on social media.

Here are some great automotive marketing ideas to build your automotive brand on social media and create top-of-mind awareness. You can market automotive products or services. Here are just a few automotive social media marketing ideas:

23. Influencer partnerships for social platforms: Collaborate with automotive influencers who have YouTube channels, or popular Instagram or Facebook profiles, for product reviews and tutorials.
24. Interactive live streaming on social media: Host live Q&A sessions or demonstrations on Facebook or Instagram Live. Promote it ahead of time on your social profiles.
25. Short-form video content: Leverage platforms like TikTok (if it’s still around!), or YouTube for Shorts, for quick tutorials and product highlights. If you go to the SEMA Show, post videos of cool project cars.
26. Invite questions on social media: This is an easy automotive social media marketing idea: Invite your customers post questions for your products or services (but have someone available to answer them quickly).
27. Collab posting or blogging: No bandwidth to devote to social media? Partner with influencers or auto enthusiasts to create engaging content that can be repurposed on social media and on your own website.
28. Use audiences in Meta advertising to boost posts: Use the Meta Ad Manager to boost posts for low-cost auto parts advertising on Facebook. The more targeted, the better, and it usually doesn’t cost a lot. Facebook and Instagram are a “pay to play” platform today and if you don’t boost your posts, they’ll only be seen by 1% of less of your followers. Meta also has a lot of built-in automotive marketing audiences to select.

Build confidence and trust with customers

Here are some marketing ideas to increase auto parts sales, by giving your customers confidence in spending money with you. Today, Experience, Expertise, Authority and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) is incredibly important to have a successful business.

29. Money-back guarantee: Offer customers a satisfaction guarantee to increase confidence and close the sale.
30. Customer testimonials: Show satisfied customer stories and reviews on your website to build expertise, trust and credibility.
31. Add customer reviews: If you don’t have reviews now, take advantage of UGC reviews at the part number level using a service like Trustpilot and embed product reviews.
32. Community engagement: Sponsor car shows, racing events, or car clubs to build brand awareness and trust.
33. “Social proof” from reviews: Ask customers on social media to give you reviews, and feature those reviews and ratings prominently in your parts marketing materials.
34. Google reviews: Invite purchases to leave you a 5-star review on Google. Google makes it easy to share a link including on social media.
35. Interactive forums: Host branded online forums, for enthusiasts to discuss vehicles and parts and ask questions. A word of warning: moderate any forum to filter out spam comments!

Automotive marketing ideas to sell more parts

Here are some simple marketing ideas to get that first purchase, and keep customers coming back for more! Some of these ideas are intended to increase your customer’s lifetime value, the amount they will spend with you over the next three to five years.

36. Chatbots and virtual assistants: Provide customer support using AI-driven chatbots. They provide 24/7 support and answer questions. Bots can guide users through the sales funnel, offering product suggestions and completing purchases, but do require programming.
37. Educational content: Create simple guides or blog posts about maintenance or replacing parts to build trust and authority.
38. Referral discounts: Incentivize customers to refer their friends and family, by giving them discounts or a gift card.
39. VIN part finder: Use online tools that match parts to customer vehicles using VIN numbers.
40. Subscriptions: Try subscription services parts that are replaced on a regular basis, like filters and wipers. Notify customers of an upcoming shipment.
41. Wish list or registry: Let your customers save products on a wish list on your website or in a store. Make it shareable so a customer can send it to friends, or be able to access it in a store for walk-in traffic. Tip: warn your customer in advance you can’t hold a product if it has limited availability!
42. Customer segmentation: Learn about Lifetime Value (LTV)! AI uncovers hidden patterns in customer data, giving you options for advanced segmentation based on behavior, vehicle, demographics, or psychographics.
43. Pop-up events and displays: Local shops can host temporary events to showcase products and give hands-on demonstrations. Companies selling online can display at major regional or national car shows

Auto parts marketing ideas that are very promotional

Here are some ideas to get promotional, sending offers to your customers. These ideas can be used as automotive direct mail ideas, too.

44. Email campaigns with suggested purchases: Send personalized email offers based on maintenance schedules (for example, oil filters every 3-4 months) or previous purchases (if they bought gaskets maybe they’re doing a rebuild).
45. In-store promotions with non-competing businesses: Partner with physical brick and mortar retailers for in-store displays, discounts, or exclusive product launches.
46. Installation services with non-competing businesses: If you’re an eCommerce business, partner with local installers and offer to ship products direct to the installer.
47. Seasonal promotions: Run targeted sales during peak times (for example, cooling system parts in summer, towing parts before Memorial Day or Labor Day).
48. Weather-related promotions: Run online ads based on geography and weather (for example, sell wax and polish when no rain is expected, sell wiper blades when it’s raining).
49. Loyalty programs: Reward repeat customers with discounts, free shipping, sneak previews of new products, or exclusive deals.
50. Limited-time flash sales: Use urgency tactics to drive quick sales of your overstocked inventory. Offer a deal in the morning that expires at midnight or when stock runs out.
51. Customizable products: Offer customizable parts available in different finishes or colors. Or, even with a custom engraving—laser engraver prices have really come down.
52. Virtual trade shows: Attend or host virtual trade shows for your wholesale customers.
53. Direct mail postcards: Yes, direct mail still works. One reason is because it isn’t as common as it used to be.
54. Press releases: Releases are easy to distribute online and can link back to your website.
55. Fitment updates: Look around your website and update year ranges for parts. Related: look for old website blog content that can be recycled and used for a new blog post.
56. Online marketplaces: Expand opportunities to sell on platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy. They’re easy to test in a limited way before going “all-in.”
57. Online forums: Sponsor an automotive forum section so you can answer questions and promote your products.

Digital auto parts marketing ideas

Fair warning, we may get a little self-serving here… Still, let’s dive in.

58. Use automotive expertise: Hire an automotive digital marketing agency (hint, hint) to give your website more visibility and sell more auto parts.
59. Dynamic retargeting ads: Show ads on Google based on specific parts customers have viewed or left in their cart. This is an effective strategy.
60. Google Premier Partner agency: Hire the aftermarket industry’s first Google Premier Partner (hint, hint) agency.
61. Programmatic advertising: Automate digital ad placements using programmatic marketing for maximum reach among car enthusiasts.

We hope you found this list helpful. Let us know if you have any questions or if we should add something to the list!

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