Discover The Truth About OEM Auto Parts
February 4th, 2010 |
Not all auto parts are created equal. You might say, “Well, any part I buy should fit in my car just the same as another, right?” That may not always be the case. Here are some things you may need to know before deciding to buy parts from an aftermarket manufacturer or an OEM.
An OEM, or original equipment manufacturer, is a company that produces auto parts to the exact specifications of the carmaker—they are parts you would find at the dealer. Most automobile companies don’t actually produce the parts that make their vehicles run; the manufacturing of these parts is often outsourced to other companies, even though the auto company’s name may be on the box.
From there, the parts manufacturers are able to sell these parts to other wholesale distributors, who then put their own name on the box. Even though it is the same part produced in the same factory, the price of the secondary wholesaler’s part may be up to 70% cheaper than the exact same part with the auto company’s name on it. A little confusing, huh?
So why is it important to ensure that the replacement parts are OEM and not just any aftermarket product? Because OEM parts are manufactured to your automobile’s exact specifications. A non-OEM part is more than likely designed for a more universal application—it’s not fabricated to fit your car specifically, but fabricated to fit as many cars as possible. If you buy a non-OEM part, you may be purchasing an inferior part, and it may require modification when installed.
If you plan to install and OEM part yourself, read about it as much as possible in your car’s owner manual before installing. This may provide you with some useful information.
