Is your demand planning ready?

As electric vehicles reshape the aftermarket, DMS shares how more intelligent forecasting can keep your business ahead of the curve.
“At DMS, we work closely with automotive aftermarket leaders across Australia, and we consistently see that demand planning is under more pressure than ever: more complex, dynamic, and essential to get it right,” DMS Business Development Manager, Alice Brimicombe, said.
“Electric vehicles now account for over 11 percent of new car sales in Australia, up from 9.65 percent in 2024, with the Electric Vehicle Council projecting this figure to reach as high as 19 percent by 2026. In March 2025 alone, EVs hit a record 14.25 percent monthly market share.
“That’s a significant shift in the types of vehicles currently on Australian roads – one that impacts what needs to be stocked, where, and when.
“Traditional parts like filters, spark plugs, and belts are slowly declining. In their place, we see rising demand for battery systems, sensors, and thermal management components.”
Alice says the parts profile and the planning systems behind it must also evolve.
“This is where the aftermarket differs from OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) environments,” Alice said.
“OEMs have confirmed production schedules and tightly controlled supply chains, while the aftermarket doesn’t.
“It operates in a dynamic environment with fragmented fleets, inconsistent demand signals, and increasing product diversity.”
What’s inside that EV growth is just as important as the growth itself.
“BYD now makes up nearly a third of electric vehicle sales in Australia. When you include Chinese-manufactured Teslas, they account for more than two-thirds of the EV market,” Alice said.
“These vehicles have different parts profiles, servicing needs, and sourcing challenges. Changes like these are already flowing directly into aftermarket demand.
“What’s the impact on filters, plugs, and belts? Obsolescence and wastage are difficult to manage in a market where demand is driven by regulation, tariffs, subsidies, and changing policies.
“Predicting declining demand, end-of-life, and all-time buy quantities are ongoing challenges for the aftermarket.
“At DMS, we help businesses tackle these challenges through smarter, predictive demand planning.
“Our approach uses advanced forecasting, data science, and segmentation to give planners better visibility and balance availability with capital efficiency.
“AI and machine learning aren’t hype; they’re practical tools that help planners respond faster, reduce stockouts, and minimise the risk of obsolete inventory. But technology alone doesn’t solve the problem.
“Real progress comes when better tools are embedded within smarter processes and when teams are equipped with the right support, training, and visibility to make confident, data-backed decisions.
“We believe demand planning is the engine room of aftermarket performance. It directly affects customer satisfaction, service levels, and bottom-line results.
“In an environment that’s changing as fast as ours, reactive planning won’t cut it anymore.
“Contact our team today at 0475 426 264 to learn how we can support your planning transformation or email info@demandmgmt.com.”

For more information, visit www.demandmgmt.com