What LKQ PV Automotive does

LKQ PV Automotive GmbH, headquartered in Essen, Germany, is one of the leading automotive parts wholesalers in northern and western Germany. Founded in 1922 as a manufacturer's representative, the company distributes original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket spare parts, workshop equipment, and consumables (lubricants, chemicals, tire-service components) through a network of 62-65 sales branches serving independent automotive workshops, commercial fleet operators, and tire service providers. Its three operational pillars are Fahrzeugteile (vehicle parts), Werkstattausrüstung (workshop equipment), and Werkstattsysteme (workshop systems), the last of which encompasses branded networks such as AUTOFIT, AUTOPROFI, PV:PARTNER, Bosch Car Service, AUTOCREW, MEISTERHAFT, and AC AUTO CHECK.

The technology backbone is PV:KOMPASS 4.0, a proprietary B2B e-commerce and parts catalog platform with over 2 million curated vehicle-parts data records enabling vehicle-specific identification, cost estimation, and ordering via desktop and mobile apps. Logistics operations are anchored by automated facilities including a new ~20 million EUR AutoStore-based center in Bielefeld (opened August 2024, capacity 100,000+ SKUs) and the Sulzbach-Rosenberg distribution hub. Complementary services include the PV:MANAGER workshop management software, LKQ Academy training, and LKQ Remote chat-based diagnostic support.

The company operates a B2B wholesale go-to-market model: field sales representatives conduct ~2,000 customer visits daily, complemented by counter sales at branches and the self-serve PV:KOMPASS 4.0 portal. Pricing is quote-based and contractually negotiated; revenue derives primarily from transaction fees on parts and equipment, supplemented by recurring workshop-system subscriptions. PV Automotive became a wholly-owned subsidiary of STAHLGRUBER Holding GmbH on December 31, 2023, sitting within the LKQ DACH regional structure (~5,800 employees, 165-166 locations) and ultimately within LKQ Corporation (Nasdaq: LKQ) via LKQ Europe.

Name

LKQ PV Automotive

Legal name

PV Automotive GmbH

Website

https://pvautomotive.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

LKQ PV Automotive is a German automotive parts wholesaler and workshop systems provider, distributing OEM and aftermarket parts, workshop equipment, and consumables to independent workshops, fleet operators, and tire service providers through 62-65 branches and the PV:KOMPASS 4.0 digital platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Parts Wholesale Distribution

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers (423120)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

Maintenance, service & repair (MSR) parts distribution (filters, belts, hoses, wipers, fluids) (CRAOANAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tools, shop equipment & garage supplies distribution (diagnostic tools, lifts, compressors, PPE) (CRAOANAG), Tires, wheels & related supplies distribution (CRAOANAD)

Keywords

• Automotive parts wholesale
• Workshop equipment distribution
• Vehicle spare parts supply
• Commercial vehicle parts
• Workshop systems services

Headquarters

HQ city

Essen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Automotive Parts Wholesale: Core revenue stream from distribution of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and aftermarket alternatives for passenger cars (PKW), commercial vehicles (NFZ), trailers, and agricultural vehicles. Product categories include brake parts, chassis components, ignition parts, filters, starter batteries, accessories, lubricants, and chemicals. Offers both branded original parts and private label/second-brand alternatives.
2. Workshop Equipment Sales: Sale and distribution of workshop equipment including tools, diagnostic equipment, brake test stations, wheel alignment systems, air conditioning service equipment, battery service equipment, lifting technology, oil service systems, compressed air systems, and technical planning/construction services for workshop setup.
3. Workshop Systems and Services: Branded workshop system partnerships (AUTOFIT, AUTOPROFI, PV:PARTNER, Bosch Car Service, etc.) providing workshops with marketing support, operational tools, and network benefits. Includes LKQ Academy training services and PV:MANAGER workshop management software.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

LKQ PV Automotive is a B2B automotive parts wholesaler distributing OEM and aftermarket spare parts, wear parts, lubricants, chemicals, and accessories for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, trailers, and agricultural vehicles. It also sells workshop equipment (tools, diagnostic devices, lifting systems, brake test stands, climate service units) and operates branded workshop system partnerships (AUTOFIT, AUTOPROFI, PV:PARTNER, Bosch Car Service, AUTOCREW, MEISTERHAFT). Distribution is executed through a network of 62-65 sales branches across northern and western Germany, supported by the proprietary PV:KOMPASS 4.0 digital ordering platform and LKQ Remote diagnostic support services.

Product overview

LKQ PV Automotive operates as an automotive parts wholesaler and workshop services provider, offering a comprehensive portfolio organized into three main divisions: Fahrzeugteile (Vehicle Parts), Werkstattausrüstung (Workshop Equipment), and Werkstattsysteme (Workshop Systems). The vehicle parts division includes PKW Teile, NFZ Teile, tire service parts, trailer parts, gas station supplies, accessories, lubricants, and chemicals. The workshop equipment division covers tools, body work equipment, testing technology, battery service, lifting technology, oil service, compressed air, brake service, tire service equipment, axle measurement, climate service, technical service, and planning & construction. The workshop systems division encompasses branded concepts including AUTOFIT, AUTOPROFI, PV:PARTNER (workshop systems), supported by proprietary software platforms PV:KOMPASS 4.0 (digital customer portal for ordering) and PV:MANAGER (workshop management), plus branded partner networks such as BOSCH CAR SERVICE, AUTOCREW, MEISTERHAFT, AC AUTO CHECK, and ATE BREMSENCENTER. Additional services include LKQ Academy (training), LKQ Remote Support (remote diagnostics), and Repair Hotline.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PV:PARTNER: Workshop system offering flexibility with strong backing from PV, allowing independent operations while benefiting from partnership advantages.
• PV:KOMPASS 4.0
• PV:MANAGER
• PV LIVE

Products and services

• PKW Teile (Passenger Car Parts)
• NFZ Teile (Commercial Vehicle Parts)
• Reifenservice-Teile (Tire Service Parts)
• PKW-Anhängerteile (Car Trailer Parts)
• Zubehör (Accessories)
• Schmierstoffe (Lubricants)
• Chemie (Chemicals)
• Werkstattausrüstung (Workshop Equipment)
• PV:KOMPASS 4.0
• PV:MANAGER
• AUTOFIT Workshop System
• AUTOPROFI Workshop System
• PV:PARTNER Workshop System
• Bosch Car Service Workshop System
• AUTOCREW Workshop System
• MEISTERHAFT Workshop System
• AC AUTO CHECK Workshop System
• LKQ Academy Training
• LKQ Remote Support

Quantifiable outcome

• 185,000+ articles maintained in stock for rapid availability
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• ATR (Auto-Teile-Ring GmbH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPV Automotive is part of ATR International AG trading cooperation, which includes ATR Auto-Teile-Ring GmbH and ATR Service GmbH. The network allows leading wholesalers to bundle purchasing interests against industry suppliers for better conditions.
• GVA (Gesamtverband Autoteile-Handel e.V.)minorOthersIndustry association for automotive parts trade in Germany and Europe. GVA advocates for parts dealers in business and politics. 2,000 German retailers, 133 trading companies, and 121 automotive parts manufacturers are organized in GVA.
• PartslifeminorOthersEnvironmental management partner for automotive industry handling disposal, recycling, and fulfillment of legal obligations from the End-of-Life Vehicle Regulation and Circular Economy Act.
• myreforest GmbHminorOthersForest restoration company supporting LKQ DACH's tree-planting initiative in celebration of LKQ Corporation's 25th anniversary. Planted 800 trees total across German locations including 130 oaks and linden trees by apprentices.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Robert Bosch (Automotive Aftermarket): Bosch is both an automotive parts/equipment supplier and the operator of Bosch Car Service — one of PV Automotive's distributed workshop concepts. As an upstream supplier and workshop network competitor, it represents both a partner relationship and competitive overlap.
• ZF Aftermarket: Aftermarket division of ZF Group distributing OE-quality drivetrain, chassis, and transmission parts to workshops. Competes in the same independent workshop channel across Germany, though with a narrower SKU footprint than PV Automotive.
• Continental (Aftermarket / ContiTrade): Global automotive supplier with a sizable aftermarket division distributing parts, tires, and workshop services to independent workshops in Germany. Overlaps with PV Automotive in tire service parts (RDKS, mounting), brake components, and accessories, but as part of a much broader portfolio.
• HELLA (FORVIA) Aftermarket: Major German automotive lighting, electronics and parts supplier with a dedicated aftermarket distribution channel. Overlaps with PV Automotive in lighting, electrical, and diagnostic parts sold into independent workshops.

Emerging players

• autodoc: European online automotive parts marketplace serving both consumers and workshops, with strong German market share. Represents the B2C/B2B digital threat to traditional branch-based B2B parts distributors like PV Automotive, particularly in commoditized parts categories.

Regional players

• Vergölst: Continental-owned German retail and service network specializing in tires, wheels, and light automotive service. Overlaps with PV Automotive's tire service parts, RDKS devices, and NFZ/service workshop offering, but as a downstream retail/service channel rather than B2B wholesale.

Others

• Würth: Germany-headquartered global leader in automotive and industrial consumables/tools sales; competes directly with PV's Werkzeuge (tools) and consumables ranges into workshops and service providers, though Würth's portfolio extends well beyond automotive.

Direct peers

• ATR (Auto-Teile-Ring GmbH): Germany's leading independent automotive parts trading cooperation. PV Automotive is itself a member of ATR International AG; ATR bundles purchasing interests of multiple wholesalers and competes for the same independent workshop customer base across product ranges.
• STAHLGRUBER Holding GmbH: Sister company of LKQ PV Automotive within LKQ DACH; same B2B automotive parts and workshop equipment distribution model, but historically focused on southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Most directly comparable in business model, customer base (independent workshops), and product mix.
• WM SE (formerly Wessels+Müller): Major German automotive parts and workshop equipment distributor with a multi-region branch network. Competes head-to-head with PV Automotive for independent workshop customers, fleet operators, and tire service providers across Germany.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lkq-pv-automotive
• Xx.com/pvbewegt
• Facebookfacebook.com/pvbewegt

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 LKQ PV Automotive