Motorcar Parts of America: Navigating Tariff Challenges Amidst Contradictory Margin Insights in Q1 2026

Tariff impact and market share, tariff impact on gross margin, tariff impact and strategic manufacturing, gross margin expansion and strategic manufacturing, and tariff impact are the key contradictions discussed in Motorcar Parts of America, Inc.'s latest 2026Q1 earnings call.



Revenue and Gross Profit Growth:
- Motorcar Parts of America, Inc. reported net sales of $188.4 million for Q1 2026, up 10.9% from the prior year, and gross profit of $33.9 million, a 16.3% increase year-over-year.
- The growth was driven by record sales and gross profits, supported by favorable industry tailwinds, increased replacement opportunities, and market share gains, particularly in brake offerings.

Operating Income Improvement:
- The company's operating income rose to $20.1 million from an operating loss of $6.5 million in the prior year.
- This was attributed to higher sales volume, a noncash mark-to-market foreign exchange gain of $8.3 million, and operational efficiencies.

Debt Reduction and Share Repurchase:
- Net bank debt decreased by $7 million to $74.4 million and the company repurchased 197,796 shares for $2 million during Q1 2026.
- The reduction in net debt and share repurchase were supported by positive cash flow from operating activities and ongoing focus on neutrality, working capital.

Tariff Impact and Mitigation:
- The net impact of tariffs on the company's Q1 results was $1.4 million, down from $4.6 million in the previous quarter.
- The reduction in tariff impact was due to customer price increases and strategic supply chain sourcing changes aimed at mitigating tariffs.

Diagnostic Business and Mexico Expansion:
- The company's diagnostic business, led by the JBT-1 Bench Top tester, continues to grow, with increased demand in Mexico and potential opportunities outside North America.
- Growth in this segment is driven by the expanding installed base and strategic focus on leveraging the Mexican market to support the growth of U.S.-based retailers and warehouse distributors.