AUTO-EQUIP

What AUTO-EQUIP does

AUTO-EQUIP (legal entity: AUTO EQUIP IDEAL CONCEPT SAS) is a France-based independent B2B distributor of automotive parts and equipment founded in 2010 by Michel Paulhiac and currently led by PDG Christophe Paulhiac. The company sells exclusively to verified automotive professionals—body shops (carrossiers), garages, and distributors—through a multi-channel model comprising its own e-commerce platform (autoequip.fr / autoequip.shop), 5 third-party marketplaces, a dedicated sales representative, phone, and email. Pricing is professional-only, gated behind account creation, with volume-based discounts tied to order frequency and parts category; no public rates are disclosed.

The platform offers a catalog of over 20 million part references drawn from 200+ manufacturers and 50+ vehicle brands, organized into four quality tiers (ORIGINE/OEM, ÉQUIPEMENTIER/OE, ÉQUIVALENT/Certified Equivalent, and RÉEMPLOI/Reuse from End-of-Life Vehicle centers) and three product categories (body parts, glazing at ~50,000 references, and mechanical parts), plus tools and equipment. The catalog is powered by TecDoc's licensed technical database, which provides vehicle-to-part correspondences, technical references, and illustrations, and supports VIN/immatriculation lookup for part compatibility. The company is headquartered in Orly Aéroport (Val-de-Marne) near Paris, employs approximately 19-30 people, and ships to 20+ countries including DOM-TOM territories through an intra-group logistics partnership with sister company Midexpress.

The business is a transactional, one-time-purchase distribution model with no subscription, no SaaS layer, and no disclosed external funding. The firm operates as a private SAS with €300,000 share capital, is founder/family-controlled, and has expanded chiefly through organic channel build-out—most notably entering DOM-TOM markets in 2011 and launching its first marketplace partnership in 2023. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; the company serves over 1,000 professional clients and competes on catalog breadth, multichannel reach, and integrated logistics capability rather than proprietary technology or AI.

Name

AUTO-EQUIP

Legal name

AUTO EQUIP IDEAL CONCEPT

Website

https://autoequip.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AUTO-EQUIP is a France-based independent B2B distributor selling automotive parts and equipment exclusively to verified professional buyers (body shops, garages, and distributors) across 20+ countries, offering 20+ million catalog references backed by TecDoc data and integrated logistics via sister company Midexpress.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Parts Distribution

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers (42312), Automotive Parts and Accessories Retailers (44133)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013), Wholesale-Motor Vehicles & Motor Vehicle Parts & Supplies (5010)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive Parts, Tires & Workshop Supplies Marketplaces (CRAFAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Automotive Parts & Accessories Online Retailers (CRAFADAK), Automotive Parts, Tools & Accessories Marketplaces (CRAFABAJ)

Keywords

• Automotive parts distribution
• Vehicle collision parts
• Professional auto parts
• OEM aftermarket parts
• Body shop supplies

Headquarters

HQ city

Orly

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Parts and Equipment Sales: AUTO-EQUIP operates as an independent distributor of automotive parts and equipment, selling directly to professional buyers (body shops, garages, distributors) via transactional orders. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales at professional pricing. Volume-based discounts are applied based on order frequency and parts category. Products are sourced from over 200 manufacturers and sold across multiple product lines: OEM Origin, OE Equipmentier, Certified Equivalent, and Reuse/Reconditioned parts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

AUTO-EQUIP is an independent B2B distributor selling more than 20 million automotive part references to professional buyers (body shops, garages, parts distributors) across France, the DOM-TOM, and 20+ international markets. The catalog spans body parts, glazing, mechanical parts, and tools/equipment sourced from 200+ manufacturers and 50+ vehicle brands, with four quality grades (OEM, OE, Certified Equivalent, Reused) and part identification by VIN, registration plate, or OEM reference. Orders are placed via the company's own e-commerce platform, five marketplaces, or direct sales staff.

Product overview

AUTO-EQUIP operates as a B2B automotive parts distribution platform offering a comprehensive catalog of over 20 million references across four quality tiers (ORIGINE/OEM, ÉQUIPEMENTIER/OE, ÉQUIVALENT/Certified Equivalent, and RÉEMPLOI/Reused). The platform is organized around three main product categories: body parts (Pièces de carrosserie), glass/v glazing (Vitrage with ~50,000 references), and mechanical parts (Pièces mécaniques), complemented by tools and equipment. The product portfolio is designed to cover 100% of collision repair needs, serving professional customers including body shops (carrossiers), garages, and distributors through both the e-commerce platform and sales representatives. The four quality tiers allow customers to choose based on quality requirements and budget constraints, while the platform enables part identification via registration number, VIN, or manufacturer reference.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20 million part offers available across the catalog
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• MidexpresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMidexpress is a transport and transit company belonging to the same corporate group as AUTO-EQUIP. This intra-group partnership gives AUTO-EQUIP a strategic logistics advantage, enabling fast, reliable delivery worldwide including to DOM-TOM and 20+ countries. The integrated logistics model reduces delivery times and improves supply chain reliability.
• TecDoccoreTechnology or IntegrationTecDoc provides the technical catalog database used by AUTO-EQUIP on its platform, including vehicle-to-part correspondences, technical references, and product illustrations. This third-party database is referenced in footer legal notices and CGU as the source of technical data. The data is licensed for display only; unauthorized extraction or reuse is strictly prohibited.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Broad incumbents

• Autodistribution: France's largest independent automotive parts distributor network serving independent repairers and body shops with multi-brand parts and own-label ranges. Directly comparable business model serving the same professional body shop and garage customer segments in France.
• Alliance Automotive Group: Major European distributor of aftermarket automotive parts serving professional repairers across multiple European countries. Operates the GroupAuto, Precisium, and API networks in France with comparable B2B distribution model.
• Valeo Service: Aftermarket division of major automotive supplier, distributing original-quality parts (OE Equipmentier tier) to professional repairers across Europe. Comparable in serving professional body shops and garages with OE-equivalent product lines.
• LKQ Corporation: Global leader in aftermarket and recycled automotive parts distribution with significant European operations. Comparable in terms of breadth of catalog, multi-tier quality offerings (including reuse), and B2B distribution to professional repairers.

Emerging players

• ID Rechange: French-based digital platform focused on connecting body shops and distributors for parts procurement. Comparable in serving the French carrossier and distributor segments with digital/marketplace-style ordering.

Direct peers

• Mister Auto: French online automotive parts retailer with a broad catalog covering multiple vehicle brands and quality tiers. Comparable offering to AUTO-EQUIP's catalog breadth and professional pricing model, with overlapping geographic reach.
• Oscaro: Leading French online retailer of automotive parts with a large catalog, VIN-based fitment, and home/work delivery. Direct competitor in the French automotive parts e-commerce space, though historically more B2C/DIY oriented.
• PiecesAuto.com: French online automotive parts retailer with multi-brand catalog and VIN-based part lookup. Comparable mid-market online parts retailer competing for similar professional and DIY customers in France.

Regional players

• Bosal: European manufacturer and distributor of exhaust systems, towing, and body parts with multi-country distribution. Comparable as a body parts and collision repair supplier in the European aftermarket, though primarily a manufacturer rather than multi-brand distributor.

Others

• Feu Vert: French multi-brand automotive service and parts retailer with centers across France. Comparable as a French automotive parts and service operator, though more B2C oriented; adjacent rather than direct competition for professional buyers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/auto-equip-ideal-concept

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 AUTO-EQUIP