# Advance Auto is taking over Pep Boys locations **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [September 15, 2022, 12:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/advance-auto-is-taking-over-pep-boys-locations/186373 "2022-09-15T12:08:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 12:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/advance-auto-is-taking-over-pep-boys-locations/186373/1 "2022-09-15T12:08:46Z")
A couple of months ago, I noticed a banner on a nearby Pep Boys store, stating _Advance Auto Coming Soon_. When I drove past yesterday, the building had both Advance and Pep Boys signs, which I thought was… curious. Based on this article relating to California, it appears that the retail portion of the stores will be branded as Advance Auto, and the “service” section will continue to be branded as Pep Boys. [https://www.vehicleservicepros.com/distribution/parts-distributor/industry-news/article/21216662/pep-boys-yields-to-advance-auto-parts-in-major-california-expansion](https://www.vehicleservicepros.com/distribution/parts-distributor/industry-news/article/21216662/pep-boys-yields-to-advance-auto-parts-in-major-california-expansion) ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 12:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/advance-auto-is-taking-over-pep-boys-locations/186373/2 "2022-09-15T12:19:39Z")
That article was from 2021. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 12:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/advance-auto-is-taking-over-pep-boys-locations/186373/3 "2022-09-15T12:28:03Z")
I have not seen that collaboration here in Florida. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 12:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/advance-auto-is-taking-over-pep-boys-locations/186373/4 "2022-09-15T12:28:08Z")
I guess that the changeover began in CA, as it only seems to have hit this area over the past few months. ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 12:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/advance-auto-is-taking-over-pep-boys-locations/186373/5 "2022-09-15T12:30:05Z")
Here also. However, the actual date on the article has me wondering… April first, 2021. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 12:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/advance-auto-is-taking-over-pep-boys-locations/186373/6 "2022-09-15T12:35:45Z")
Here is another article: [https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2022/06/22/advance-auto-parts-begins-taking-over-former-pep-b.html](https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2022/06/22/advance-auto-parts-begins-taking-over-former-pep-b.html) … and a blog: [https://www.retailwatchers.com/viewtopic.php?t=3173](https://www.retailwatchers.com/viewtopic.php?t=3173) ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 2:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/advance-auto-is-taking-over-pep-boys-locations/186373/7 "2022-09-15T14:56:26Z")
Makes sense. Carl Icahn, who has bet big on auto service with Aamco/Cottman and Pep Boys, has said he sees no future in retail auto parts since the increasing complexity of cars has foreclosed most of the DIY repair market. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 3:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/advance-auto-is-taking-over-pep-boys-locations/186373/8 "2022-09-15T15:05:42Z")
Confusing: looks like Bridgestone is buying the whole of Pep Boys to add to their chain: [Pep Boys (PBY) Sells to Bridgestone for $835 Million Under Activist Pressure From Mario Gabelli - TheStreet](https://www.thestreet.com/markets/mergers-and-acquisitions/pep-boys-sells-to-bridgestone-for-835-million-under-activist-pressure-from-mario-gabelli-13337925) This indicates the Advance change is CA, at least: [Pep Boys yields to Advance Auto Parts in major California expansion | Vehicle Service Pros](https://www.vehicleservicepros.com/distribution/parts-distributor/industry-news/article/21216662/pep-boys-yields-to-advance-auto-parts-in-major-california-expansion) ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 3:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/advance-auto-is-taking-over-pep-boys-locations/186373/9 "2022-09-15T15:21:54Z")
> [@texases](#): > > This indicates the Advance change is CA only: I’m not disputing that article, but I can tell you that it is definitely taking place in NJ, too. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 4:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/advance-auto-is-taking-over-pep-boys-locations/186373/10 "2022-09-15T16:32:55Z")
> [@VDCdriver](#): > > I’m not disputing that article, but I can tell you that it is definitely taking place in NJ, too. Yeah, confusing, I thought I’d find some article that has all the changes in it. Fixed my prior post. ---
**Author:** ![eddo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/eddo/32/2594_2.png) [@eddo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eddo)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 6:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/advance-auto-is-taking-over-pep-boys-locations/186373/11 "2022-09-15T18:33:01Z")
most all of the Pep Boys here in southern AZ have already switched to Advance Auto for the retail parts side. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 10:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/advance-auto-is-taking-over-pep-boys-locations/186373/12 "2022-09-15T22:24:29Z")
Pep Boys gone from the parts business, but still doing repairs, that transition is definitely in progress in my area. I bicycled to one of the PB stores to buy a car part recently, and discovered they weren’t open for business, but had boxes and boxes of parts, the workers were busy stocking the shelves. I asked the folks there what’s up? They told me the repair shop would continue as Pep Boys, but the parts business was going to re-open as Advanced Auto Parts. I didn’t ask them when, but it appeared to be very soon. I asked over at the repair shop if I could buy the part there, but they said they didn’t sell parts. So Bought the part I needed from an O’Reillys instead. Would have preferred to buy it from my local inde auto parts vendor, but it was too far and unsafe road for a bicycle trip. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 2:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/advance-auto-is-taking-over-pep-boys-locations/186373/13 "2022-09-16T14:10:42Z")
There’s this corner in Salem NH about 1/2 mile north of the MA border that has a Pep-Boys, Advanced Auto and a Auto Zone. I wonder what the merge would do there. Years ago when Mobil and Exxon merged I knew of a couple places that had two Mobil gas stations right next to each other. Before merge one was an Exxon. ---
**Author:** ![glasspilot](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/glasspilot/32/27886_2.png) [@glasspilot](https://community.cartalk.com/u/glasspilot)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 3:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/advance-auto-is-taking-over-pep-boys-locations/186373/14 "2022-09-16T15:00:35Z")
It’s interesting how companies come and go. I’m going to show my age: Anybody remember Western Auto? It was a huge car parts place, now completely gone. ---
**Author:** ![galant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@galant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galant)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 8:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/advance-auto-is-taking-over-pep-boys-locations/186373/15 "2022-09-16T20:42:48Z")
Saw one store here last night in downtown LA with Advanced as the part store and Pepboys as the repair shop. It was clear they had chopped the store inners to make this happen (poorly done!). ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 9:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/advance-auto-is-taking-over-pep-boys-locations/186373/16 "2022-09-16T21:46:54Z")
Western Auto was purchased by Advance Auto years ago, ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 10:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/advance-auto-is-taking-over-pep-boys-locations/186373/17 "2022-09-16T22:41:00Z")
> [@MikeInNH](#): > > MA border that has a Pep-Boys, Advanced Auto and a Auto Zone. I wonder what the merge would do there. Pequot lakes, speedway has taken over all the gas stations. There are 4 maybe within 2 miles and no other gas stations, goodbye Amoco and Shell! All are still open! It is odd the variations. 2 sell non oxygenated gas for boats etc. One has a seperate nozzle, the other 2 sell oxygenaated premium. Go figure! ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/7/f/7fa41e9f8c03337be872887f91ed069ff27d08b3.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2022, 10:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/advance-auto-is-taking-over-pep-boys-locations/186373/18 "2022-09-16T22:51:22Z")
When I first got started on diy’er auto repair late 70’s, I bought my parts from a nearby NAPA parts store, always thought they did a pretty good job; and NAPA branded parts were pretty good quality. And good customer service. One time they sold me the wrong u-joint trunnion for my truck, and later the store manager phoned me and apologized for my inconvenience. Nice touch, good way to do business. Not much experience w/NAPA here in San Jose though. ---
**Author:** ![glasspilot](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/glasspilot/32/27886_2.png) [@glasspilot](https://community.cartalk.com/u/glasspilot)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2022, 10:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/advance-auto-is-taking-over-pep-boys-locations/186373/19 "2022-09-17T10:56:34Z")
> [@Barkydog](#): > > 2 sell non oxygenated gas for boats etc. One has a seperate nozzle, the other 2 sell oxygenaated premium. Never heard the term “Oxygenated”. Is that another name for non-ethanol? ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2022, 1:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/advance-auto-is-taking-over-pep-boys-locations/186373/20 "2022-09-17T13:26:22Z")
> [@glasspilot](#): > > Never heard the term “Oxygenated”. Is that another name for non-ethanol? You can have non-ethanol gas but still be Oxygenated with MTBE. An oxygenate helps reduce fuel emissions. Ethanol and MTBE (real nasty stuff that almost never goes away) are the most used oxygenates used by the auto industry. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/advance-auto-is-taking-over-pep-boys-locations/186373.md?page=2)