Whether you’re looking for more customers, applying for government contracts, or simply trying to understand where your shop is positioned in the economy, you’ll need to know your automotive naics code. This standardized way of categorizing businesses is essential for market research, economic analysis, and tracking industry trends over time. NAICS codes, or North American Industry Classification System codes, can be 2- to 6-digits long and are categorized into sectors and sub-industries in the same way that the country’s zip codes are.
The first two digits of a NAICS code represent the sector (e.g., manufacturing, retail, construction), while the following four digits narrow it down to the industry group and then to the individual business within the sector. This makes it easy for people to look up a specific business or industry, and the deeper you go into the classification system, the more granular the information becomes.
For example, NAICS code 811111 identifies establishments primarily engaged in providing a wide range of mechanical and electrical repair and maintenance services for automotive vehicles, including passenger cars, trucks, vans, and all trailers. These services might include body, paint, interior, and glass repair; engine repair; motor oil change and lubrication; and car washing. In some cases, these shops may also provide other services such as vehicle customization, a popular trend that allows customers to personalize their car’s appearance and performance beyond the manufacturer’s original specifications.
This NAICS industry is a part of the Wholesale Trade sector. IBISWorld’s comprehensive database of thousands of industries includes the NAICS 423110 – Automobile and Other Motor Vehicle Parts and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers sector.