ACES and PIES 2025–2026 Guide: Everything Automotive Suppliers Need to Know
- Alexis Fortune
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Introduction
There’s a simple truth in catalog management that every supplier should remember:
That simple phrase captures the importance of accurate automotive catalog data. This ACES and PIES guide shows why these standards are essential for automotive suppliers preparing for 2025 and 2026.
At the center of that accuracy are ACES (Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard) and PIES (Product Information Exchange Standard). Together, they are the backbone of how manufacturers, distributors, and retailers manage and share catalog data across the industry, under the stewardship of the Auto Care Association.
In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about ACES and PIES in 2025 and what is changing as we move into 2026. From the fundamentals of the standards to implementation strategies and upcoming trends, this article will help you reduce catalog errors, speed up launches, and prepare for the future.
What Are ACES and PIES?
Before we dive into strategies and best practices, this ACES and PIES guide covers the basics of each standard and why they matter for automotive suppliers.
ACES (Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard): Defines fitment data—the information that tells you which parts fit which vehicles.
Think of it as the “where it goes” side of the catalog.
PIES (Product Information Exchange Standard): Defines product data—attributes, dimensions, pricing, images, weights, and logistics.
This is the “what it is” side of the catalog.
Here is a simple side by side comparison:
Standard | Focus | Examples of Data |
 | Fitment and application data | Vehicle make, model, year, engine, position, qualifiers |
 | Product and attribute data | Part type, brand, weight, dimensions, images, price |
Together, ACES and PIES create a complete picture: what the part is, and what it fits.
Why ACES and PIES Matter in 2025
The stakes for catalog accuracy have never been higher. As this ACES and PIES 2025–2026 guide explains, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers all depend on these standards for success.
For Manufacturers: New product launches depend on getting data right. If your latest brake rotor or battery is not in the catalog correctly, it does not exist for the buyer.
For Distributors and Wholesalers: Speed and accuracy are everything. The faster data gets into the system, the faster it is available for sales. Errors can cascade across hundreds of SKUs.
For Retailers and Resellers: Accurate data reduces returns, keeps customers happy, and builds trust. A single bad listing can erode confidence across your brand.
Bottom line: Poor catalog data costs money. ACES and PIES standards are the proven way to reduce those costs while unlocking growth opportunities.
The Supporting Databases Behind ACES and PIES
While ACES and PIES define the structure, they rely on four supporting databases maintained by the Auto Care Association. These four databases are the backbone of every ACES and PIES implementation guide, helping suppliers standardize and structure their catalog data.
VCdb (Vehicle Configuration Database)
Defines the universe of vehicles. It includes make, model, year, engine, and configuration.
Example: “2019 Ford F 150 3.5L V6 Turbo.”
PCdb (Parts Configuration Database)
Standardizes part types and terminology so everyone speaks the same language.
Example: “Disc Brake Rotor” vs “Rotor.”
Qdb (Qualifier Database)
Captures important notes that affect fitment.
Example: “With 300mm rotor” or “With tow package.”
PAdb (Product Attribute Database)
Houses product specific attributes like dimensions, voltage, terminal layout, weight, etc.
Example: Battery CCA rating or air filter dimensions.
Common Challenges With ACES and PIES
Even though the standards are widely adopted, suppliers still face hurdles. The most common include:
Inconsistent updates: Some suppliers update quarterly instead of monthly, leaving big coverage gaps.
Catalog gaps: Inventory exists but is not cataloged, so sales teams do not even know to sell it.
Inaccurate product attributes: Missing weights, dimensions, or logistics data can slow down distribution.
Manual processes: Excel spreadsheets introduce human error and inefficiency.
Competitive blind spots: Without visibility into what others are cataloging, it is hard to benchmark performance.
Each of these challenges costs time, money, and market share.
How to Implement ACES and PIES Successfully
A solid implementation plan makes the difference between frustration and success. This section of our ACES and PIES guide gives suppliers a clear roadmap:
Clean your master data
Eliminate duplicates, standardize formats, and align internal part numbers with industry terminology.
Map to industry databases
Connect your catalog to VCdb, PCdb, Qdb, and PAdb IDs to ensure consistency across the market.
Automate updates
Manual updates are too slow. Automating ACES and PIES exports reduces errors and ensures timely delivery.
Validate against Vehicles in Operation (VIO)
Do not just load coverage—compare it against VIO data to confirm market demand.
Track changes over time
Monitor gains and losses in coverage so you can see the impact of your catalog work.
➡️ This is where tools like DataPoint Clarity Analytics and Curator add value by automating checks, identifying catalog gaps, and aligning supplier data with ACES and PIES standards.
Trends Shaping 2025 and 2026
Looking ahead, several major shifts are shaping catalog strategy:
1. Faster, More Connected Updates
If suppliers are still updating data quarterly, they are already behind. On average, they are losing about 0.5 percent in vehicle coverage every month they do not submit updated data aligned with the latest ACA databases. The shift toward monthly updates and API based data sharing is no longer optional. By 2026, this level of responsiveness will be the baseline expectation for manufacturers and distributors.
2. EV and Advanced Systems Coverage
With the growth of EVs, ADAS, and advanced electronics, the complexity of cataloging in some segments is rising. Accurate qualifiers and attributes will be essential to avoid costly catalog errors and ensure proper coverage in emerging technologies.
3. Competitive Benchmarking Becomes Standard
In 2025, competitive benchmarking is an advantage. By 2026, it will be a necessity as more suppliers adopt analytics platforms to monitor catalog gaps and market coverage.
Upcoming Release: ACES 5.0 and PIES 8.0 Industry Review
In April 2025, the Auto Care Association announced that ACES 5.0 and PIES 8.0, along with updated schemas for VCdb 2.0, Qdb 2.0, PCdb 2.0, PAdb 5.0, and Brand Table 2.0, are now open for a one year industry review. The official release is scheduled for March 26, 2026.
Key Enhancements Coming in This Release:
Renamed and removed XML elements for improved schema clarity and consistency.
Improved support for digital assets, enabling richer media handling such as images and PDFs.
Expanded multilingual qualifier capabilities for better handling of regional language differences.
Structural enhancements like file hashing to validate data integrity.
Support for multi package handling, making it easier to manage bundled kits or split package configurations.
These updates reflect a significant leap in technical functionality, aimed at future proofing catalog data infrastructure and improving downstream usability.
How Clarity Analytics Helps With the Transition
The move to ACES 5.0 is more than a simple file format update. The new standard restructures how application data is defined and linked to ACA reference databases, which can significantly impact catalog coverage. While Curator ensures ACES and PIES files validate correctly, Clarity Analytics gives suppliers the insight they need to adapt strategically:
Coverage & Gap Analysis
As ACA databases (VCdb, PCdb, Qdb, PAdb) evolve alongside ACES 5.0, parts may suddenly gain or lose coverage. Clarity pinpoints exactly where those gaps appear, quantifies the VIO at risk, and surfaces new opportunities you can act on quickly.
Prioritized Transition Guidance
Rather than reworking thousands of SKUs blindly, Clarity highlights the most important coverage updates, shows where to focus first, and tracks progress so both catalog managers and leadership have clear visibility.
Strategic Visibility
Clarity turns a technical transition into a business advantage by providing leadership with measurable insights into coverage, growth opportunities, and areas of risk throughout the ACES 5.0 shift.
In short: Clarity Analytics helps your catalog adapt to ACES 5.0 without losing critical coverage, prioritizes updates where they matter most, and gives leadership a clear view of progress and market opportunity.
FAQ: ACES and PIES Explained
Q: What is the difference between ACES and PIES?
A: ACES defines vehicle fitment data, which vehicles a part fits. PIES defines product information such as attributes, weights, dimensions, pricing, and images.
Q: Who maintains ACES and PIES?
A: Both standards are maintained by the Auto Care Association, along with their supporting databases: VCdb (Vehicle Configuration), PCdb (Parts Classification), Qdb (Qualifiers), and PAdb (Product Attributes). The ACA also manages the Brand Table, ensuring consistency across suppliers.
Q: How often should suppliers update their ACES and PIES data?
A: At minimum, suppliers should update monthly. Relying on quarterly updates risks losing about 0.5% of catalog coverage every month. That translates into lost visibility and sales opportunities.
Q: Can ACES and PIES be automated?
A: Not completely, but different tools can automate key parts of the process. Curator validates ACES and PIES files against ACA standards to reduce manual cleanup and ensure compliance. Clarity Analytics then works on the ACES side, analyzing catalog coverage, highlighting gaps, and overlaying VIO data to help suppliers prioritize updates. Together, they cut down on rejected files and make the ACES 5.0 transition more efficient.
Q: What happens if my catalog isn’t compliant with ACES and PIES?
A: Non-compliance can lead to file rejections from trading partners, lost catalog visibility, higher return rates, and lost sales. Distributors and retailers increasingly require suppliers to maintain ACA-compliant files as a condition for listing products.
Q: When will ACES 5.0 and PIES 8.0 be released?
A: Industry review began in April 2025, with the official release scheduled for March 2026. These updates will bring schema refinements, expanded multilingual support, digital asset handling improvements, and tighter compliance requirements.
Q: How do ACES and PIES benefit automotive suppliers?
A: Standardized ACES and PIES files ensure that suppliers’ products are accurately represented in every distributor and retailer system. This improves coverage, reduces returns, accelerates time-to-market for new parts, and ultimately increases sales.
Q: Do ACES and PIES apply to EVs and new technologies?
A: Yes. The latest versions include expanded coverage for electric vehicles (EVs), ADAS systems, and advanced electronics. Accurate qualifiers and attributes are especially important in these segments to avoid costly catalog errors.
Q: Where can I learn more about ACES and PIES?
A: The Auto Care Association publishes official documentation and reference databases. You can also explore Clarity Analytics to see how analytics can simplify adoption and help prepare for ACES 5.0 and PIES 8.0.
Conclusion
ACES and PIES may sound technical, but their business impact is simple: correct data sells parts, incorrect data costs sales.
By understanding how these standards work, using the supporting databases effectively, and adopting automation and analytics, you can reduce catalog errors, speed up product launches, and stay ahead of competitors.
And as 2026 approaches, the message is clear: suppliers who invest in catalog accuracy and automation now will be the ones leading the aftermarket tomorrow.
If you are ready to improve your catalog management and uncover growth opportunities, explore how DataPoint Clarity Analytics can help your team.