Auto Parts Alliance

What Auto Parts Alliance does

Auto Parts Alliance (APA) is a privately held B2B automotive services company founded in 2007 and headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, that functions as a cross-border bridge between Chinese auto parts suppliers and the global automotive market, particularly the United States. The company organizes executive delegations, business exploration trips, factory tours, and B2B conferences to connect Chinese suppliers with US OEMs and Tier-1 buyers, while delivering supplier development, audit, and quality-improvement services. It is the only AIAG-authorized CQI-19 (Sub-tier Supplier Management) training provider in China and was jointly authorized by Guangzhou Provincial Government and Ford North America to audit leading Guangzhou auto suppliers.

APA operates through three primary divisions. The Automotive Innovation Center (AIC), launched in Michigan in November 2015, is the cross-border entry platform offering Global Growth Services, Product Design Engineering, Supply Chain Service, Business Support Solution, and Technology Services. The Manufacturing Excellence division spans five product categories — Body Exterior, Interior, Electronics, Chassis, and Powertrain — with end-to-end design engineering and production involvement. The Supplier Quality Training and Implementation (SQTI) division delivers the four service pillars: Global Business Growth, Supply Chain (on-site monitoring, development, control, improvement), Training and Learning (Quality Core Tools, Lean, special processes including Heat Treatment, Plating, Casting, plus AIAG-authorized CQI programs), and Global Logistics and Warehouse (Ford/GM/DCX-certified Michigan facility with over 400K square feet and 30 years of freight forwarding experience). APA employs approximately 200+ staff in the US plus 400+ in China with 50+ US contract agents.

APA's revenue model is professional-services based, monetized through training program fees (e.g., executive learning trips priced at RMB 50,000 per person), supplier audit and development contracts, B2B facilitation fees, and logistics/warehousing services. Go-to-market is event-driven and channel-partner oriented — APA hosts visiting delegations from Chinese industry groups (Arkmid, SATE, China Gear Executive groups) and conducts AIAG-authorized training in China. The company has no disclosed institutional funding and operates as an independent entity led by President Dr. Steven Hsieh. No revenue, valuation, or post-2017 growth indicators are publicly available.

Name

Auto Parts Alliance

Legal name

Auto Parts Alliance

Website

https://global-apa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Auto Parts Alliance is a private B2B automotive services company bridging Chinese auto parts suppliers with US OEMs and Tier-1 buyers, operating from Southfield, Michigan with offices in China. It delivers supplier development, AIAG-authorized quality training, audit services, and Ford/GM/DCX-certified warehousing and logistics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Supply Chain Services

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing (3363), Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing (33632)

SIC

Miscellaneous Transportation Equipment (3790)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYCRAFAHAD

Automotive Parts, Tires & Workshop Supplies Marketplaces

Consumer Products & Retail/E-commerce & Marketplaces/Wholesale/B2B E-commerce Marketplaces

Keywords

• Automotive supply chain services
• Auto parts manufacturing
• Logistics and warehousing
• Supplier quality training
• Global business development

Headquarters

HQ city

Southfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Global Business Growth Services: Business partners, manufacturing representation, identifying new suppliers for domestic consumption or export business
2. Supply Chain Services: Supply chain transparency through on-site monitoring, development, control, and improvement services
3. Training and Learning: Training services covering Quality, Lean and Special Processes such as Heat Treatment, Plating, Casting, plus AIAG authorized CQI-19 training
4. Global Logistics and Warehouse: Logistics network, infrastructure and warehousing capability including Ford, GM, DCX certified facility in Michigan

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

APA is a B2B automotive services firm that helps Chinese auto parts suppliers enter the global (especially US) market through four service pillars: Global Business Growth (manufacturing representation and partner development), Supply Chain (on-site monitoring and improvement), Training and Learning (AIAG-authorized quality training), and Global Logistics and Warehouse (Ford/GM/DCX certified warehousing with 30 years of freight forwarding). It also operates a Manufacturing Excellence division providing design engineering and production support across Body Exterior, Interior, Electronics, Chassis, and Powertrain components, anchored by the Automotive Innovation Center (AIC) platform in Michigan.

Product overview

Auto Parts Alliance is a B2B automotive supplier development and services company operating across the US and China. The company offers four main service pillars: Global Business Growth, Supply Chain, Training and Learning, and Global Logistics and Warehouse. The Manufacturing Excellence division covers five product categories: Body Exterior, Interior, Electronics, Chassis, and Powertrain. The Automotive Innovation Center (AIC), launched in November 2015 in Michigan, provides Global Growth Services, Product Design Engineering, Supply Chain Service, Business Support Solution, and Technology Services to assist suppliers entering global auto markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Global Business Growth B2B service offering that develops business partners, provides manufacturing representation, and identifies new suppliers for domestic consumption or export — specifically built to help Chinese auto companies enter global markets.
• Supply Chain Services B2B service providing supply chain transparency through on-site monitoring, development, control, and improvement at supplier facilities, primarily supporting OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers managing sub-tier suppliers in China.
• Training and Learning B2B training services covering Quality, Lean and Special Processes (Heat Treatment, Plating, Casting, APQP/PPAP, FMEA, SPC, MSA, CQI-20, CQI-18, TS 16949), including AIAG-authorized CQI-19 (Sub-tier Supplier Management) training — APA is the only AIAG-authorized CQI-19 training provider in China.
• Global Logistics and Warehouse B2B logistics and warehousing services with a Ford/GM/DCX certified warehouse facility in Michigan covering over 400,000 square feet, supported by 30 years of freight forwarding experience and 400+ China-region plus 200+ US staff.
• Automotive Innovation Center (AIC) Platform launched in Michigan that delivers Global Growth Services, Product Design Engineering, Supply Chain Service, Business Support Solution, and Technology Services to Chinese companies entering the US auto market, hosted at the Southfield, MI AIC office.
• Manufacturing Excellence APA division providing design engineering and manufacturing support across Body Exterior, Interior, Electronics, Chassis, and Powertrain automotive components, with quality control and engineering excellence baked through the production process.
• Body Exterior Component Engineering and Manufacturing Manufacturing Excellence category covering auto exterior components — front bumper, body structure, rear bumper — using world-class materials, processes, and finishes.
• Interior Component Engineering and Manufacturing Manufacturing Excellence category covering automotive seat fabrics (cloth and leather), carpeting, and dashboard components, incorporating material science technologies for entry-level and top-end vehicles.
• Electronics Component Engineering and Manufacturing Manufacturing Excellence category covering automotive electronics for engine controlling, transmission and chassis controlling, active safety, driver assistance, and infotainment systems, integrating ICT supplier work.
• Chassis Component Engineering and Manufacturing Manufacturing Excellence category covering chassis design and engineering, supported by laboratory evaluation and analysis to ensure automotive handling and safety reliability.
• Powertrain Component Engineering and Manufacturing Manufacturing Excellence category covering powertrain manufacturing with complex design and mechanical operations, requiring strict quality control on parts shape and manufacturing tolerances.

Quantifiable outcome

• Audit services for 6 leading auto suppliers in Guangzhou authorized by Guangzhou Provincial Government and Ford NA
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ArkmidcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2017APA hosted Arkmid 'Drive the Future' America Business delegation on EV focus, visiting companies in Michigan and California
• Myers EVminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2017Myers EV CEO Mr. Myers presented to the delegation at AIC office during Arkmid EV focus visit
• ArkmidcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2016APA hosted Arkmid North America Business Exploring Group for visits in Metro Detroit Area, including B2B conference in Novi, MI
• NanFang BearingminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2016Vice General Manager and Sales Director of NanFang Bearing visited AIC office for business visiting
• TEEMA (Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufactures' Association)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2016Consultant of TEEMA from Taiwan visited AIC office for business visiting
• Guangzhou Provincial GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2015APA was authorized by the Guangzhou Provincial Government to provide audit services for leading auto suppliers in Guangzhou, alongside Ford NA
• Ford North AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2015APA was authorized by Ford NA to provide audit services for suppliers, working with Guangzhou Provincial Government
• AIAG (Automotive Industry Action Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPA is the only AIAG authorized CQI-19 (Sub-tier Supplier Management) training provider in China, offering exclusive training programs for sub-tier supplier management

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CEVA Logistics: Global 3PL with a dedicated automotive vertical offering freight forwarding, warehousing, and finished vehicle logistics. Directly comparable to APA's Global Logistics and Warehouse service pillar serving US-China auto parts flows.
• Penske Logistics: US-headquartered 3PL with deep automotive OEM relationships (including GM and major Tier 1s) and dedicated automotive supply chain capabilities. Directly comparable on automotive warehousing and parts logistics.
• Ryder System: US-based supply chain, fleet, and dedicated transportation solutions provider with strong automotive vertical. Comparable to APA on automotive warehousing and inbound parts logistics for North American OEMs.

Broad incumbents

• AlixPartners: Global consulting firm with a large automotive and industrial practice that includes supplier development, supply chain transformation, and operational improvement. Comparable on the supplier development and quality improvement service line APA offers.
• Expeditors International: Global freight forwarder with significant trans-Pacific auto and industrial parts volume between China and the US. Comparable to APA on the freight forwarding / cross-border auto parts logistics component.
• DHL Supply Chain: Global logistics leader with automotive sector specialization and significant presence in both US and China. Comparable on cross-border auto parts logistics; broader portfolio dwarfs APA's narrow focus.
• Kuehne+Nagel: One of the world's largest freight forwarders with a substantial automotive & industrial solutions practice. Comparable to APA on cross-border logistics, but operates at vastly larger scale across all industries.
• Roland Berger: European-origin strategy consultancy with strong automotive sector coverage including supplier strategy, OEM transformation, and emerging-market entry advisory. Comparable to APA's Global Business Growth pillar but at a strategic consulting level.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/auto-parts-alliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Auto Parts Alliance