Model Selector: connect spare parts to make, year, and model
The Model Selector helps customers find parts that fit a specific make, year, and model. The feature requires Abicart Pro, activation, and a supported theme. You build a model tree, connect the products to the correct models, and then choose where the Model Selector should be displayed. The customer gets results based on your connections, not an automatically calculated compatibility.
Availability and prerequisites
The Model Selector is also called Parts Finder or Model Selector. It is available for Abicart Pro and needs to be activated by customer service along with the correct filter support. Support is available in several theme families, including Fabrikk, Bountiful, Trailblazer, Emporium, Hajde, Brew, Azalea, and Nordic. Field names and placement may differ between theme versions. Therefore, check your active version with support before changing themes or rebuilding your product range.
The Model Selector uses product groups to filter for compatible parts. It does not create product variants, new item numbers, or knowledge about which vehicles a spare part fits. You are responsible for ensuring the product connections are correct. For common categories, see product groups.
1. Create the model tree
- Go to Assortment (Catalogue) > Product groups and create a main group, for example Model Selector. The name may be included in the store's URL.
- Create three sublevels in the same order throughout the tree. In the example below, make, year, and model are used.
- Go to Assortment (Catalogue) > Products and connect each product to the correct model groups. This can be done manually or through product import.
Example of a consistent model tree:
- Model Selector
- Make A
- 2025
- Model X
- Model Y
- 2026
- Model X
- 2025
- Make B
- 2025
- Model Z
- 2026
- Model Z
- 2025
- Make A
A spare part that fits both Make A / 2025 / Model X and Make A / 2026 / Model X is placed in both of these model groups. You do not need to create two copies of the product. Do not use the same group level for make in one branch and model in another; otherwise, the selection fields will correspond to different things.
2. Connect the tree to the theme
- Open Appearance > Themes > Edit for the theme you want to configure.
- Open the Model Selector settings. For placement in the header, they are located under Header. Activate Model Selector where it is supported.
- Select the model tree's main group in Product category. Global Product category is a separate, optional selection for products that should be displayed for all models. Only add products that truly fit all models here; do not use this field for the model tree's main group.
- Enter the display texts for the levels at First Product Category, Second Product Category and Third Product Category, for example Make, Year, and Model. The levels are retrieved from the tree's order, not from three independent group sources.
- Choose where the component should appear and enter the display texts using the settings table in this section. Save.
- For display on product group pages: open Product group page in the theme editor and select the Model Selector's main product group in the relevant settings. Save and check the result in the store.
| Setting | What it controls |
|---|---|
| Global Product category | Separate, optional group for universal products to be displayed for all models. Do not select the model tree's main group here. |
| Product Category and the First/Second/Third level selections | Product category specifies the model tree's main group. First/Second/Third specify the levels' display texts. Follow your active component's fields and do not confuse them with the display location. |
| Model Selector is Visible for the following product groups | Which product group pages should display the component. This is not the same as which products are included in its data source. |
| Heading / title for the model selector | Text that helps the customer understand what to choose. |
| Title of the List | Heading for saved selections, for example My models. |
| Modal default message / Model Default Message if Nothing Has Been Selected Yet | Text displayed when no model has been added or selected. |
| Icon | Custom icon for the Model Selector. If you do not select an icon, the theme's default icon is used, for example, a motorcycle. |
3. Check that the customer gets the correct result
- Open the store and select a complete combination that should yield a result, for example Make A → 2025 → Model X.
- Check that the correct spare parts and any subcategories/filters are displayed. A product should not be shown as compatible just because it is in a regular product category.
- Select another model that the product does not fit. Check that the product is then not shown as a result.
- Save a model selection, leave the page, and return in the same browser. Also, check that it is possible to change or remove the selection.
Model selections are saved locally in the browser. They do not automatically transfer to another device or browser. Private mode, cleared website data, or limited storage can affect saved selections. Therefore, do not assume that the list will remain forever or can contain an unlimited number of models.
Troubleshoot the Model Selector
| Symptom | Check |
|---|---|
| The setting is missing | Check for Pro, activation, product group filters, the correct theme and version. Ask support to confirm compatibility; a missing field does not mean the product range must be rebuilt. |
| No or incorrect spare parts are displayed | Check the model tree's main group in Product category, the order of the levels, and the product's membership in the selected model group. Also, check that Global Product category only contains universal products. Try both a known matching and a known non-matching example. |
| The selector appears on the wrong pages | Check visibility groups and placement separately from the model tree and the selection of universal products. |
| A group is not found in the setting | Check the correct main group and the full group path. Contact support if the correct group is still missing from the list before creating a duplicate. |
| Saved models are missing | Check if the same browser and device are being used and if website data has been cleared. Saved model selections are not account-synced between devices. |
When contacting support: specify the store, theme/version, main group, a complete model combination, and a product that should or should not be displayed. Describe both your selection and the result.
If you use a group for universal products, they should be displayed for both models. Also, check the product's own information about which models it fits.
Quick start
- Ask support to confirm that the Model Selector and product group filters are activated and supported in your theme version.
- Create a consistent tree: main group → make → year → model. Place each spare part in the model groups where it fits.
- Select the model tree's main group in Product category and name the three levels. Only use Global Product category for products that fit all models.
- Test a known match and a known exception: a product that only fits model B should not be displayed for model A. Also, check universal products, display location, and saved model selections.
Subscription and access
The Model Selector requires Abicart Pro, activation, and a compatible active theme and component version. Confirm compatibility before changing themes or rebuilding your product range. Product connections determine the results the customer gets; they are not an automatic check of physical compatibility.