A new auto-parts importer can easily collect thousands of product references and still not know what to buy first. A good starting catalog is not the largest one. It is the smallest group of products supported by evidence from the target market.
Begin with vehicle population
List the brands, models, chassis codes and approximate ages that are common in your area. Registration data, used-car listings, workshop records and parts retailers can all provide clues.
Ask workshops about repair frequency
Mechanics see failures before purchasing reports do. Ask which parts they replace repeatedly, which OE numbers are difficult to find and which products generate complaints.
Separate demand from curiosity
A rare luxury model may attract attention but sell slowly. Prioritize references that combine a reasonable vehicle population with regular replacement demand.
Group compatible products
Build sets around a model or suspension system: control arms, links, bushings and ball joints. This helps customers buy more complete repairs and simplifies marketing.
Review price and freight impact
Large, heavy products may have good unit margins but high transport costs. Estimate landed cost, not only factory price. Smaller parts can sometimes deliver better turnover per cubic meter.
Start with trial quantities
Buy enough to test the market without locking too much cash into slow stock. Track inquiries, sales speed, returns and workshop feedback. Reorder the proven references and remove weak performers.
Maintain clean product data
Record product name, OE numbers, model, year, position, supplier code, cost, packaging and image in one structured file. Clean data makes website search, quotation and future reordering much easier.
A disciplined first list of 50–150 verified SKUs can be more valuable than a catalog of 5,000 uncertain products. Expand from real sales and customer requests.