Advance Auto Parts launches e-commerce site

Minneapolis Advance Auto Parts has launched its own e-commerce site, allowing the company to sell parts online for the first time in about eight months.

AdvanceAutoParts.com now allows customers to purchase more than 100,000 parts and accessories. It offers free shipping on purchases of $75 or more, as well as free in-store pickup.

Advance Auto previously operated a site called PartsAmerica.com in partnership with Phoenix-based CSK Auto, the parent company of rival Checker Auto Parts.

Advance Auto and CSK dissolved PartsAmerica.com during first quarter 2009, after CSK was acquired by Springfield, Mo.-based O’Reilly Automotive, which operates O’Reilly Auto Parts stores.

Since then, customers have not been able to buy parts on Advance Auto’s Web site. The company only operated an online merchandise look-up feature.