---
title: "ACES & PIES Fitment Data Standards Explained (And Why Your Automotive Portal Needs Them)"
url: https://www.uncap.com/post/aces-pies-fitment-data-standards
author: "Denis Dyli"
published: 2026-06-30
updated: 2026-07-16
summary: "ACES and PIES are the two data standards the automotive aftermarket uses to describe parts. ACES defines fitment, meaning the vehicle configurations a part fits, using the Vehicle Configuration Database and qualifier data. PIES defines the product itself: pricing, dimensions, descriptions, and images. This article explains how each standard works, why wrong-fit returns trace back to missing qualifier data, and what it takes to run accurate Year-Make-Model search on a Shopify parts store."
---

# ACES & PIES Fitment Data Standards Explained (And Why Your Automotive Portal Needs Them)

> ACES and PIES are the two data standards the automotive aftermarket uses to describe parts. ACES defines fitment, meaning the vehicle configurations a part fits, using the Vehicle Configuration Database and qualifier data. PIES defines the product itself: pricing, dimensions, descriptions, and images. This article explains how each standard works, why wrong-fit returns trace back to missing qualifier data, and what it takes to run accurate Year-Make-Model search on a Shopify parts store.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I need both ACES and PIES data, or just one?

You need both. ACES tells a buyer or a search engine what a part fits, while PIES tells them what the part actually is, including price, dimensions, and description. A catalog with only ACES data has accurate fitment but incomplete listings. A catalog with only PIES data has full product details but no way to confirm a part works with a specific vehicle.

### How often does ACES and PIES data change?

ACES and PIES data changes on a regular cycle set by the Auto Care Association, and vehicle configuration data updates at least once a year as new trims, engines, and submodels reach the market. A fitment feed that isn't refreshed at least annually drifts out of sync with current vehicles fast, especially for late-model trucks and SUVs with frequent mid-cycle changes.

### Can Shopify handle ACES and PIES data without custom development?

Not on its own. Shopify doesn't natively parse ACES or PIES files or generate a Year-Make-Model selector out of the box. Getting from a raw data feed to a working fitment search means mapping that data into your catalog and building the selector and search logic on top of it. That's exactly what a dedicated fitment app is built to do.