ACES & PIES 101: Standardizing Automotive Aftermarket Data for Success

If you're running an eCommerce business in the automotive aftermarket industry, you already know that managing massive volumes of product and fitment data can be a major challenge. And with every inaccurate or inconsistent product listing comes the risk of customer dissatisfaction, returns, and lost revenue.

What are ACES & PIES?

ACES (Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard) and PIES (Product Information Exchange Standard) were developed by the Auto Care Association to eliminate confusion and streamline how product and vehicle data is communicated. Think of them as the Rosetta Stone of the automotive aftermarket, a common language for manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and platforms to ensure the right part reaches the right customer, every time.

What are ACES and PIES? ACES focuses on what part fits what vehicle (vehicle fitment data); PIES focuses on what the part is and how it's described (product data). 

  • Examples of ACES (vehicle fitment data): Year, make, model, drivetrain, etc.
  • Examples of PIES (product data): Dimensions, weight, UPCs, warranties, marketing descriptions, etc.

Together, they make it easier for every player in the supply chain to speak the same data-driven language.

What Problem Do They Solve?

Before ACES and PIES, descriptions were inconsistent and siloed. A Chevrolet might be listed as a "Chevy," and “Rear-wheel drive” could show up as “RWD,” “rear drive,” or any other variant depending on the seller. This made it nearly impossible to guarantee accurate compatibility and efficient supply chain communication.

By introducing structured, coded formats:

  • Retailers and marketplaces display accurate info.
  • Customers find the right parts faster.
  • Returns and complaints go down.
  • Marketing and inventory teams save time.

ACES: Fitment Accuracy That Fuels Trust

ACES files ensure a specific part is compatible with a specific vehicle. It utilizes standardized attributes like engine type, bed length, and drivetrain with coded values to keep files lightweight and processable across systems. 

This standard uses XML files populated by:

  • The Vehicle Configuration Database (VCdb)—vehicle details dating back to the 1890s.
  • The Parts Configuration Database (PCdb)—metadata about the parts themselves.

Bonus: Although the coding system requires some translation (flattening for Excel or other tools), the result is a precise match between parts and vehicles, which is essential for customer confidence and operational accuracy.

PIES: Product Data That Drives Sales

While ACES handles fitment, PIES provides everything else: specs, weights, country of origin, marketing copy, images, prices, and even warranty information.

PIES ensures that product listings are:

  • Complete
  • Up to date
  • Compliant with regulations
  • Optimized for marketplaces like Amazon or eBay

With over 20,000 product types and 25 categories, PIES turns your product catalog into a selling machine.

What's the Difference Between ACES and PIES?

Aspect

ACES

PIES

Purpose

Vehicle fitment

Product attributes

Focus

What part fits which vehicle

What the part is, how it’s described

Format

XML with vehicle database codes

XML with product info

Updated by

Auto Care Association (monthly)

Auto Care Association (monthly)

Example Info

Year, Make, Model, Engine, Drivetrain

Price, Brand, Dimensions, Warranty, UPC

Both are crucial, and they work best together—ACES brings the accuracy, PIES brings the detail.

Why Do ACES and PIES Matter to Your Business?

If you're in the automotive aftermarket, adopting ACES and PIES is no longer optional, it’s strategic.

Here’s why:

  • Fewer returns: Accurate fitment reduces the “Oops, wrong part” orders.
  • Better SEO & conversion: Complete, clean data performs better on search engines and increases customer trust.
  • Operational efficiency: Teams spend less time emailing suppliers and more time selling.
  • Competitive advantage: Not everyone has adopted these standards, which gives you a head start.

Tips for Success With ACES and PIES:

  • Stay current: ACES and PIES are updated monthly. Use the latest versions to avoid outdated listings.
  • Use automation: Integrate with PIM systems that support ACES/PIES for seamless uploads.
  • Flatten files for usability: Not everyone speaks XML. Use tools to convert files for easier team access.
  • Audit your data: Regularly check for completeness and compliance.

Final Thoughts

The aftermarket auto industry isn’t slowing down, but the businesses who win will be the ones that organize, standardize, and scale.

ACES and PIES are more than technical standards, they’re tools for growing your business, improving customer satisfaction, and staying competitive in a market that expects precision at every turn.