Key Stats
- Founded: February 1998 in Chicago, Illinois
- 2024 Revenue: $14.36 billion (3.53% year-over-year growth)
- 2024 Employees: Approximately 47,000 globally
- Market Cap: Approximately $8 billion (January 2026)
- Stock Exchange: NASDAQ (ticker: LKQ)
LKQ Corporation distributes alternative and specialty parts for vehicle repair and accessories across North America, Europe, and Taiwan. The company name comes from auto industry terminology meaning “like, kind, and quality,” a standard designation for used parts considered equivalent to new ones.
LKQ operates through four business segments: Wholesale-North America, Europe, Specialty, and Self Service. The company supplies collision and mechanical repair shops, new and used car dealerships, and retail customers with recycled OEM parts, aftermarket components, and remanufactured engines and transmissions.
LKQ Corporation History
LKQ Corporation Founder
LKQ Corporation Revenue
LKQ Corporation generated $14.36 billion in revenue during 2024, representing 3.53% growth from the previous year. The company has expanded from approximately $7 billion in annual revenue in 2015 to over $14 billion today.
Revenue growth has been driven primarily by strategic acquisitions in North America and Europe, along with organic expansion of the aftermarket parts distribution network.
LKQ Corporation Acquisitions
LKQ has completed more than 200 acquisitions since its founding. The company’s growth strategy has consistently relied on purchasing regional auto recyclers, aftermarket distributors, and specialty parts companies to expand geographic coverage and product offerings.
The first acquisition came in July 1998 with Triplett Automotive Recycling of Akron, Ohio, followed quickly by Damron Auto Parts and Star Auto Parts. These three purchases formed the foundation of the company.
In 2007, LKQ entered the aftermarket collision parts business through the acquisition of Keystone Automotive Industries. This deal added new product lines beyond recycled OEM parts and expanded the customer base to include body shops needing aftermarket components.
The 2009 purchase of GreenLeaf Auto Recyclers from Ford Motor Company added 17 salvage operations and removed the company’s largest domestic competitor from the market. This transaction remains one of the largest in LKQ history.
European expansion began in 2011 with Euro Car Parts in the United Kingdom. The 2013 acquisition of Sator Beheer brought operations in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Northern France. Rhiag-Inter Auto Parts in 2016 added distribution across Italy and Central Eastern Europe.
The 2018 Stahlgruber acquisition strengthened the German market position with wholesale distribution operations across several European countries. This was followed by the 2023 purchase of Uni-Select Inc. to expand Canadian distribution. Similar growth patterns can be observed in how Genuine Parts Company has expanded its NAPA Auto Parts network through strategic acquisitions.
LKQ Corporation Market Cap
LKQ Corporation has a market capitalization of approximately $8 billion as of January 2026. The company trades on the NASDAQ exchange under the ticker symbol LKQ and was added to the S&P 500 Index in 2016.
Market value has fluctuated based on acquisition activity, industry conditions, and overall economic factors affecting the automotive aftermarket sector.
LKQ Corporation Competitors
LKQ competes in the automotive aftermarket parts distribution industry against both wholesale distributors and retail auto parts chains. The company’s main competitors include Genuine Parts Company (NAPA), AutoZone, O’Reilly Automotive, and Advance Auto Parts.
While LKQ focuses primarily on wholesale distribution to professional repair shops, competitors like AutoZone and O’Reilly serve both professional installers and do-it-yourself retail customers.
| Company | Headquarters | Primary Business |
|---|---|---|
| Genuine Parts Company (NAPA) | Atlanta, Georgia | Wholesale and retail auto parts distribution |
| AutoZone | Memphis, Tennessee | Retail auto parts and accessories |
| O’Reilly Automotive | Springfield, Missouri | Retail and wholesale auto parts |
| Advance Auto Parts | Raleigh, North Carolina | Retail auto parts and accessories |
| Worldpac | Newark, California | Wholesale OE and aftermarket parts |
| Parts Authority | New Hyde Park, New York | Wholesale aftermarket distribution |
| RockAuto | Madison, Wisconsin | Online auto parts retailer |
| Pep Boys | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Retail parts and auto service |
| CarParts.com | Torrance, California | E-commerce auto parts |
| ACDelco | Detroit, Michigan | OEM and aftermarket parts manufacturing |
FAQs
What does LKQ stand for?
LKQ stands for “like, kind, and quality,” an auto industry term for used parts considered equivalent to new OEM components.
When was LKQ Corporation founded?
LKQ Corporation was founded in February 1998 by Donald Flynn in Chicago, Illinois, with the purchase of Triplett Auto Recyclers.
Where is LKQ Corporation headquartered?
LKQ Corporation is headquartered in Antioch, Tennessee. The company moved from Chicago to the Nashville suburb in 2017.
How many employees does LKQ have?
LKQ employs approximately 47,000 people globally, with about 19,000 in North America, 26,000 in Europe, and 2,000 in Asia.
Is LKQ a Fortune 500 company?
Yes. LKQ has appeared on the Fortune 500 list, ranking as high as number 300 in December 2018.
