423120 - Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers

The automotive industry is a cornerstone of the global economy, with countless businesses supporting vehicle manufacturing, maintenance, and repair. A critical segment within this industry is represented by NAICS code 423120 — Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers. Whether you’re a government contractor, business owner, or industry analyst, understanding this NAICS category is essential for identifying market opportunities and compliance standards.

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What Is NAICS Code 423120?

NAICS code 423120 describes establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of new motor vehicle parts and supplies. These businesses serve as the backbone for automotive repair shops, parts retailers, and other wholesalers by supplying a broad range of new automotive components.

These merchant wholesalers do not manufacture parts but focus on distributing parts and supplies such as brakes, batteries, mirrors, and much more to a variety of clients in the automotive aftermarket.

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Sector and Business Activities

• Sector: Wholesale Trade
• Industry: Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers
• Primary Activities Include:
  • Selling automotive aftermarket parts and supplies
  • Distributing accessories and repair parts for motor vehicles
  • Supplying auto body shop and service station equipment
  • Providing components such as engines, batteries, radiators, mirrors, and brakes

Typical businesses in this category include:

• Auto parts distributors
• Motor vehicle supply wholesalers
• New automotive parts merchants

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Size Standards and Eligibility

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) defines size standards for government contracting and eligibility. For NAICS 423120, the standard size threshold is:

• 200 employees or fewer

Businesses with 200 or fewer employees are considered small businesses under this code, making them eligible for various small business contracting programs.

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Examples of Businesses Under NAICS 423120

• Auto Parts Distributors: Companies distributing new parts to repair shops and retailers
• Motor Vehicle Supply Wholesalers: Wholesalers offering a broad catalog of automotive equipment and components
• New Automotive Parts Merchants: Businesses specializing in the sale of brand-new auto parts and accessories

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NAICS Code 423120 - Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers Code Details

Code Category	Description
Aftermarket parts, automotive	Supplier of replacement parts for vehicles
Auto body shop supplies merchant wholesalers	Distributor of auto body repair parts and materials
Automobile accessories (except tires, tubes) merchant wholesalers	Wholesalers of vehicle accessories excluding tires
Automobile glass merchant wholesalers	Suppliers of replacement automotive glass
Automobile service station equipment merchant wholesalers	Equipment distributors for gas stations and auto shops
Automotive brakes merchant wholesalers	Suppliers of brake components
Automotive parts, new, merchant wholesalers	Distributors of new parts for motor vehicles
Automotive stampings merchant wholesalers	Suppliers of stamped metal parts for vehicles
Balancing equipment, motor vehicle, merchant wholesalers	Equipment distributors for tire and wheel balancing
Batteries, automotive, merchant wholesalers	Suppliers of new automotive batteries
Engine testing equipment, motor vehicle, merchant wholesalers	Distributors of testing tools for engines
Engines and parts, automotive, new, merchant wholesalers	Providers of new engines and engine components
Gasoline marketing equipment merchant wholesalers	Suppliers of fuel marketing and dispensing equipment
Gasoline measuring and dispensing pumps merchant wholesalers	Distributors of fuel pumps and meters
Gasoline service station equipment merchant wholesalers	Suppliers of service station equipment
Generators, motor vehicle electrical, new, merchant wholesalers	Distributors of automotive electrical generators
Glass, automotive, merchant wholesalers	Suppliers of all types of automotive glass
Handtools, motor vehicle mechanics', merchant wholesalers	Wholesalers of mechanic hand tools
Hardware, motor vehicle, merchant wholesalers	Suppliers of automotive hardware components
Hoists, automotive, merchant wholesalers	Suppliers of lifting equipment for vehicle maintenance
Mechanic's tools merchant wholesalers	Distributors of tools for automotive repair
Mirrors, automotive, merchant wholesalers	Suppliers of vehicle mirrors
Motor vehicle instruments, electric, merchant wholesalers	Distributors of electronic instruments for vehicles
Motor vehicle parts and accessories, new, merchant wholesalers	Wholesalers of new vehicle parts and accessories
Motorcycle parts, new, merchant wholesalers	Suppliers of new motorcycle components
Mufflers, exhaust, merchant wholesalers	Distributors of exhaust system parts
Oil filters, automotive, merchant wholesalers	Suppliers of oil filters
Parts, new, motor vehicle, merchant wholesalers	Suppliers of general new motor vehicle parts
Pistons and valves, automotive, merchant wholesalers	Distributors of pistons and valves
Pumps (e.g., fuel, oil, power steering, water), automotive, merchant wholesalers	Suppliers of various automotive pumps
Radiators, motor vehicle, merchant wholesalers	Suppliers of engine cooling radiators
Seat belts, motor vehicle, merchant wholesalers	Distributors of vehicle seat belts
Seat covers, automotive, merchant wholesalers	Suppliers of automotive seat coverings
Shop equipment, service station, merchant wholesalers	Distributors of service station shop equipment
Testing and measuring equipment, electrical, automotive, merchant wholesalers	Automotive electrical testing equipment distributors
Tools and equipment, motor vehicle, merchant wholesalers	Suppliers of various automotive tools and equipment
Trailer parts, new, merchant wholesalers	Distributors of new trailer parts
Truck parts, new, merchant wholesalers	Suppliers of new parts for trucks
Voltage regulators, motor vehicle, merchant wholesalers	Suppliers of voltage regulation parts
Wheels, motor vehicle, new, merchant wholesalers	Distributors of new vehicle wheels

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What businesses are classified under NAICS 423120?

Businesses engaged in wholesale distribution of new motor vehicle parts and supplies, such as auto part distributors and motor vehicle supply wholesalers.

Is manufacturing included in NAICS 423120?

No. This NAICS code is specifically for merchant wholesalers who distribute new motor vehicle parts, not manufacturers.

What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 423120?

The size standard is typically 200 employees or fewer to qualify as a small business.

Can businesses selling used or rebuilt auto parts fall under this code?

No. This code focuses primarily on new motor vehicle parts and supplies.

Which sectors does this NAICS code belong to?

NAICS 423120 falls under the Wholesale Trade sector.

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Conclusion

NAICS code 423120 - Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers represents a vital niche within the wholesale trade sector, connecting manufacturers and retailers with essential automotive parts and supplies. Whether you are a small business owner aiming to enter the government contracting space or an industry professional analyzing market trends, understanding this NAICS code's definition, size standards, and industry scope is key to success.

Leverage this knowledge to identify contracting opportunities, comply with regulatory requirements, and strategically position your business within the dynamic automotive wholesale market.

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Keywords: NAICS code 423120, Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers, auto parts distributors, automotive wholesale trade, new motor vehicle parts, SBA size standards, automotive accessories merchant wholesalers