With colder weather settling in, new research points to steady demand for traditional 12-volt car batteries. Dealers know well it’s a core aftermarket product that remains a fixture in winter maintenance, according to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants.
DAC surveyed more than 4,500 Canadian vehicle owners as part of its annual Light Vehicle Study, tracking maintenance habits, brand choices and buying patterns across the aftermarket. The findings show that more than one in four Canadians bought a replacement battery each year, with a near-even split between “do-it-yourself” buyers at 40.9 per cent and “do-it-for-me” customers at 59.1 per cent.
Among DIY buyers, Canadian Tire dominated with a 46.2 per cent share in 2024. Costco trailed at 15.9 per cent, while auto parts retailers collectively held 13.2 per cent. On the DIFM side, independent repair shops were the top destination at 23.5 per cent, narrowly ahead of Canadian Tire at 22.6 per cent. And new-vehicle dealers accounted for 14.5 per cent of installations.
“While BEV batteries have been getting all the attention in recent years it is traditional car batteries that are a staple of the vehicle maintenance business,” said Andrew King, Managing Partner at DAC, in a statement. “The battery replacement market in Canada accounted for more than $1.02 billion of aftermarket sales in 2024, and is one of the few automotive product areas where the DIY presence remains significant.”
For dealers, the results underline an aftermarket category that continues to generate strong volume, even as attention shifts toward electrification. The data also highlight differences in where Canadians turn for service, with independent shops and Canadian Tire maintaining a strong hold on installation work while big-box retailers lead among DIY buyers.
