ACES and PIES: The Automotive Data Standards Explained
ACES and PIES are the backbone of accurate, modern automotive product catalogs. These two data standards created by the Auto Care Association define how manufacturers, distributors, and retailers communicate vehicle fitment and product information.
This page is your comprehensive reference for understanding how ACES and PIES work, why they matter, and how DataPoint helps companies manage them efficiently.
What Are ACES and PIES?
In the automotive aftermarket, data accuracy determines sales accuracy. ACES and PIES are the industry’s standardized languages for communicating product fitment and information:
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ACES (Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard) handles vehicle-to-part mapping, ensuring that every part in your catalog correctly aligns with the vehicles it fits.
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PIES (Product Information Exchange Standard) manages product-specific details — attributes, pricing, packaging, and digital assets that enrich your listings.
Together, these standards ensure catalogs remain consistent, interoperable, and up-to-date across suppliers, warehouses, distributors, retailers, and digital storefronts.
What Is ACES?
ACES (Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard) defines how vehicle application data is structured and shared across the supply chain. It standardizes:
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BaseVehicleID — the unique vehicle identifier tied to VCdb
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VCdb & Qdb — databases that define makes, models, years, engines, and qualifiers
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XML schema — a consistent structure to exchange application data
ACES ensures everyone speaks the same “fitment language.” When your data aligns with ACES, you eliminate mismatches, avoid costly returns, and make your catalog universally compatible.
What Is PIES?
While ACES defines what a part fits, PIES describes the part itself.
PIES (Product Information Exchange Standard) structures product-level data so it can be distributed, enriched, and maintained consistently across channels. It covers:
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Product attributes (material, size, performance specs)
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Pricing and packaging data
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Digital assets (images, videos, PDFs)
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Regulatory and compliance info
PIES is essential for content-rich eCommerce listings, accurate data syndication, and compliance with distributor requirements.
ACES vs PIES:
What’s the Difference?
Although they work together, ACES and PIES solve different problems. Understanding this difference is critical. ACES makes sure the part fits. PIES makes sure it sells.
Feature
ACES
PIES
Purpose
Vehicle-to-part mapping
Product content & assets
Format
Managed by
Used for
Example
XML (ACES 5.0)
Auto Care
Association
XML (PIES 8.0)
Auto Care
Association
Fitment accuracy
This part fits a 2019 Silverado 1500 5.3L
Product enrichment
This part is aluminum and includes images & specs
Implementing ACES and PIES in Your Catalog
Managing ACES and PIES effectively requires more than just exporting XML files. It involves:
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Importing data from manufacturers and standards bodies
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Validating the data structure against schemas
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Aligning ACES and PIES to ensure no coverage or attribute gaps exist
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Distributing updates reliably to partners and marketplaces
Many companies struggle with:
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Out-of-sync ACES & PIES files
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Manual updates that introduce errors
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Missed schema updates causing validation failures
This is where DataPoint’s PIM platform makes the difference.
Our system handles schema validation, synchronization, and distribution this ensures your ACES and PIES data is accurate, current, and standardized.
ACES and PIES Schema Updates
The introduction of ACES 5.0 and PIES 8.0 brought major improvements to structure, validation, and data enrichment.
Highlights include:
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Enhanced XML schema structures
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Expanded VCdb support for new vehicle types
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Additional digital asset handling in PIES
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Improved positional data accuracy
For a full breakdown, read our in-depth post:
🔗 ACES 5.0 & PIES 8.0: What’s New and How to Prepare →
Common Implementation Challenges
(and How DataPoint Solves Them)
Implementing ACES and PIES correctly can be challenging:
❌ Inconsistent XML formatting leads to validation errors
❌ Delayed schema adoption results in data mismatches
❌ Coverage gaps cause catalog inaccuracies
❌ Manual updates slow down time-to-market
DataPoint solves this through automation and expertise:
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Automated validation against the latest schemas
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Centralized data management using ACES & PIES together
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Intelligent gap analysis to ensure coverage alignment
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Scalable tools that grow with your catalog
Frequently Asked Questions
ACES & PIES Standards
Q: What is the ACES format?
A: ACES (Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard) is an XML-based data standard developed by the Auto Care Association. It ensures consistent, accurate communication of vehicle-to-part fitment data across the automotive aftermarket.
Q: What’s the difference between ACES and PIES?
A: ACES handles vehicle fitment, mapping parts to specific vehicles. PIES manages product information, including attributes, pricing, and digital assets. Together, they provide the full picture of what fits and what it is.
Q: How often are ACES and PIES updated?
A: ACES and PIES schema updates are typically released annually by the Auto Care Association, with additional VCdb, Qdb, and PCdb updates throughout the year. Staying current is crucial for validation and compliance.
Q: Do I need both ACES and PIES to build a catalog?
A: Yes. ACES ensures your fitment data is correct, while PIES enriches product listings with attributes and assets. Without both, catalogs often lack either fitment accuracy or content completeness.
Q: Who manages ACES and PIES standards?
A: The Auto Care Association manages ACES, PIES, and their supporting databases (VCdb, Qdb, PCdb). Suppliers and distributors use these standards to align their catalogs across the aftermarket.
Q: What happens if my ACES or PIES files don’t validate?
A: Invalid files can cause delays, errors, or rejections when sending data to distributors or resellers. It can also lead to incorrect fitment or missing product content on eCommerce sites.
Q: How long does it take to implement ACES and PIES?
A: It depends on catalog size, data quality, and internal resources. Small suppliers may complete implementation in weeks, while large brands may need months to fully align their catalogs.
DataPoint-Specific Questions
Q: How does DataPoint help companies manage ACES and PIES?
A: DataPoint provides a PIM system and catalog tools designed specifically for the automotive aftermarket. We automate XML validation, align ACES & PIES files, and distribute data to partners — reducing manual work and increasing accuracy.
Q: Can DataPoint validate our existing ACES and PIES files?
A: Yes. Our platform runs your files through up-to-date ACES and PIES schemas, identifies structural or data errors, and provides clear reports so your team can fix issues quickly.
Q: Does DataPoint support ongoing ACES and PIES updates?
A: Absolutely. We track Auto Care schema and database updates so your catalog stays current without manual intervention. Our tools handle updates to VCdb, Qdb, and PIES fields automatically.
Q: How is DataPoint different from a basic PIM system?
A: Most generic PIM systems aren’t built for automotive data standards. DataPoint’s platform is designed around ACES, PIES, VCdb, and fitment logic, making it uniquely suited for suppliers and manufacturers in the aftermarket.
Q: Can DataPoint help us transition from legacy spreadsheets to ACES and PIES?
A: Yes. Many of our clients start with Excel-based catalogs. We help you map, normalize, and convert that data into ACES and PIES formats while preserving accuracy and structure.
Q: Does DataPoint work with distributors and resellers?
A: Yes. We support data distribution workflows to ensure your validated ACES and PIES files are delivered in the formats your partners require — on schedule and without manual intervention.
Q: Can DataPoint handle multiple brands and product lines?
A: Yes. Our system is built for multi-brand, multi-line catalogs, allowing you to manage distinct ACES and PIES data sets under one roof while maintaining schema compliance across all of them.
Q: How fast can we get up and running with DataPoint?
A: Many suppliers are fully onboarded in a few weeks, depending on catalog complexity. We provide structured onboarding, data normalization, and schema validation to get your ACES and PIES program live quickly.
Q: Does DataPoint provide reporting or analytics on ACES and PIES data?
A: Yes. Through our Clarity Analytics, you can monitor coverage, identify gaps, track schema adoption, and measure catalog accuracy over time — giving you actionable insights to improve performance.
Q: What types of companies typically use DataPoint for ACES and PIES?
A: We work with manufacturers, private brands, and importers who need to modernize their catalogs, distribute accurate data, or gain deeper visibility into their coverage. Whether your catalog has 500 parts or 5,000,000+, we can scale with you.
Ready to Modernize Your Catalog?
Data standards shouldn’t slow you down it should power your growth.
With DataPoint’s tools, you can implement ACES and PIES faster, stay compliant, and improve catalog accuracy.