Who Makes LKQ Auto Parts?

LKQ Corporation does not manufacture auto parts. It is a publicly traded company that distributes recycled, aftermarket and refurbished parts, and it is owned by its shareholders through stock traded on the Nasdaq exchange under the ticker LKQ.

Founded in 1998, LKQ grew from a small recycled parts distributor into one of the largest alternative vehicle parts companies in the world.

The company is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, and operates across North America, Europe and Taiwan following more than 200 acquisitions since its founding.

Knowing who stands behind LKQ helps repair shops and car owners understand the difference between LKQ parts and parts sold directly by vehicle manufacturers.

This guide covers LKQ ownership, history, product range, manufacturing sources and how the company compares to OEM and other aftermarket suppliers.

So lets get started.

Who Owns LKQ Corporation

LKQ Corporation is a publicly traded company, meaning it is owned by its shareholders rather than a single parent company or private individual.

Shares trade on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol LKQ, and the company is a component of the S&P 600 index, according to the LKQ Corporation entry on Wikipedia.

LKQ was founded in February 1998 by Donald F Flynn along with a group of investors who saw an opportunity in the fragmented recycled auto parts market.

Justin Jude took over as chief executive officer in June 2024, leading the company through its current phase of global operations.

What Kind Of Parts Does LKQ Sell

LKQ specializes in what the industry calls alternative parts, a category that includes recycled OEM parts, aftermarket parts and refurbished components like remanufactured engines and transmissions.

Recycled parts come from vehicles that insurance companies have declared a total loss, while aftermarket parts are newly manufactured by third party factories to fit specific vehicle models.

LKQ also sells specialty parts and accessories for trucks, vans and recreational vehicles through several of its subsidiary brands.

This wide product mix lets LKQ serve everyone from budget focused do it yourself customers to large collision repair chains needing consistent parts supply.

Where Do LKQ Parts Come From

Recycled parts sold by LKQ come from its own network of salvage and dismantling facilities across North America, where usable components are removed from total loss vehicles.

Aftermarket parts in LKQ’s catalog are manufactured by contracted factories, many based in Taiwan and other established aftermarket parts producing regions, similar to sourcing used by our Where Are SKP Auto Parts Made guide.

In Europe, LKQ operates through major acquisitions like Euro Car Parts, Stahlgruber and Rhiag, which distribute both recycled and aftermarket parts across the continent.

This mix of self supplied recycled parts and outsourced aftermarket manufacturing is central to how LKQ keeps such broad inventory across so many vehicle makes.

LKQ Corporation Growth Through Acquisitions

LKQ has completed more than 200 acquisitions since it was founded, a strategy that turned it from a regional recycler into a global parts distribution company.

Major purchases include Keystone Automotive Industries in 2007, Euro Car Parts in the United Kingdom, and Rhiag Group in continental Europe.

This acquisition heavy strategy let LKQ enter new markets quickly rather than building distribution networks from scratch in each country.

The company reported revenue of roughly 13.9 billion dollars in 2023, reflecting the scale this decades long acquisition strategy has built.

Is LKQ Really Good or Worth It

LKQ’s recycled and aftermarket parts typically cost significantly less than new OEM parts, which is the main reason insurance companies and repair shops rely on the company so heavily.

Quality can vary depending on the specific part and condition grading, since recycled parts come from used vehicles rather than a factory production line.

Professional collision and mechanical shops generally view LKQ as a reliable high volume supplier, particularly for older vehicles where OEM parts are expensive or discontinued.

Car owners who want a guaranteed factory match may still prefer OEM parts for certain repairs, but for cost conscious repairs LKQ remains one of the most widely used sources in the industry.

LKQ Compared to OEM and Other Aftermarket Suppliers

Unlike OEM parts sold through dealerships, LKQ’s recycled and aftermarket parts are not backed by the original vehicle manufacturer, though many carry their own limited warranties.

Compared to smaller regional recyclers, LKQ’s scale gives it deeper inventory and a national logistics network that can locate and ship parts faster in most cases.

LKQ also differs from pure aftermarket brands covered in our Who Makes TRQ Auto Parts guide by offering recycled OEM parts alongside newly manufactured aftermarket components.

This combination of recycled, aftermarket and refurbished parts under one company is a major part of LKQ’s competitive position in the industry.

LKQ Self Service and Full Service Yards Explained

LKQ operates two main retail formats in North America, full service stores where staff pull the part for the customer, and self service or pick and pull yards where customers remove parts themselves at a lower price.

Self service yards typically charge less because customers do the labor of removing the part, while full service locations charge more but save the customer time and tools.

Both formats draw inventory from LKQ’s network of salvage vehicles, meaning stock varies by location and changes as vehicles are processed through each yard.

Shoppers can often check part availability online before visiting a specific LKQ location, reducing wasted trips for parts that are out of stock.

LKQ Corporate Headquarters and Global Footprint

LKQ moved its corporate headquarters to Nashville, Tennessee, consolidating leadership functions as the company grew into a global operation.

Beyond North America, LKQ runs major operations across the United Kingdom and continental Europe through brands like Euro Car Parts, Stahlgruber and Rhiag, along with operations in Taiwan.

Investors can review LKQ’s official financial reports, leadership team and press releases through the company’s investor relations site at lkqcorp.com.

Current stock performance and trading details for the company are publicly available through financial data providers such as the Nasdaq listing page for LKQ.

LKQ and the Insurance Industry

Auto insurers frequently specify LKQ recycled or aftermarket parts on collision repair estimates because they typically cost less than new OEM replacement parts.

This relationship between insurers and alternative parts suppliers like LKQ helps keep repair costs and, by extension, insurance premiums lower for policyholders.

Some vehicle owners request OEM parts instead of LKQ alternatives during repairs, which is usually allowed but may come with an added out of pocket cost depending on the policy.

This dynamic between cost and part origin is one of the most common points of negotiation between car owners, insurers and repair shops during a collision claim.

LKQ Warranty and Customer Support

LKQ backs many of its parts with limited warranties, though exact terms vary by part category and whether the item is recycled, aftermarket or refurbished.

Customers can find warranty details, part search tools and company information through LKQ’s official investor and corporate pages.

Because LKQ operates largely through its network of self service and full service locations along with online ordering, support channels vary depending on how a part was purchased.

Repair shops working with LKQ directly typically have dedicated account support, while individual consumers usually interact through LKQ branded retail locations or its online catalog.

Frequently Asked Questions About LKQ Auto Parts

Who Makes LKQ Auto Parts

LKQ Corporation does not manufacture parts itself. It is a publicly traded distributor of recycled, aftermarket and refurbished vehicle parts, listed on Nasdaq under the ticker LKQ.

Who Founded LKQ Corporation

LKQ was founded in February 1998 by Donald F Flynn and a group of investors focused on the recycled auto parts market.

Where Are LKQ Parts Made

Recycled LKQ parts come from its own salvage facilities, while aftermarket parts in its catalog are manufactured by contracted factories, many located in Taiwan and other major parts producing regions.

Is LKQ A Good Auto Parts Company

Yes, LKQ is widely considered a reliable large scale supplier of cost effective recycled and aftermarket parts, especially valued by collision shops and insurance backed repairs.