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February 2009 -- Parts Jargon - Addendum |
I thought it would be important for readers to know that the definitions given in the below article were, traditionally, very well defined. Maybe I was too vague in my writing, but, my point is, these definitions are no longer as well-defined as they used to be. In fact, the lines are so blurred, that the consumer likely has no idea what they are actually buying.
To illustrate, let me recount what a customer of mine experienced just last week. Shopping for a set of front turn signal lenses for his 911RS clone, he looked at the reproductions I had in stock, but really preferred original, genuine Bosch lenses. As you may know, these are no longer manufactured by Bosch, so they are difficult to find and command fairly high prices, typically in the range of $129-$160.00 each.
My customer passed on the reproductions and was committed to finding originals for his car. Yesterday he came in to show me a “genuine” front turn signal lens, which he had just purchased from a well-known mail order company. The box was plain brown, with a factory part number label on it…very official-looking. It also had the proper o.e.m. label on it, with the proper o.e.m. part number on it. Sounds pretty good, so far.
After paying $130.00 for it, what would you expect to be inside that box? Sure enough, he pulls out of the box a honest-to-god, real-deal, genuine REPRODUCTION turn signal lens.
We compared it to the repro lens we have on the shelf and they were virtually identical. No Bosch logo on the lens. The amber color was painted-on, not molded-in. Wow. This is very interesting.
So here is a major automobile manufacturer, who has been buying from a major original equipment manufacturer. The o.e.m. is no longer producing the item and is now sourcing from the same aftermarket reproduction guy.
One can understand why the manufacturers decided to go with the repro lens. Likely, the o.e.m. was faced with re-tooling costs vs. size of the market, 20 year-old car, etc. However, there’s a couple of problems with that: First of all, the consumer is paying for a Rolex, but is actually is getting the fake Rolex. Secondly, neither the consumer nor the parts retailer has a clue as to what’s inside the “genuine” box.
In conclusion, my point is that the term “genuine” is rapidly losing it’s meaning as we have traditionally known it. Just look at e-bay and count all the stuff being peddled as “genuine”, what a disappointment.
Make sure your parts retailer knows what they are selling. And…caveat emptor! |
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January 2009 -- Parts Jargon – What It All Means |
Since this is the first tech article to be featured on the new website, I thought it would be helpful if I discussed some of the jargon that is often used to describe the parts that we buy. This is a modified version of an article I wrote for the 912 Registry magazine in February 2003.
Before we begin, it is perhaps useful to give a brief overview of the global automotive parts playing field as we currently have it. There are two major players: the automobile manufacturers and the aftermarket. The manufacturers side is everything under the control of the auto makers and includes manufacturing, sales, service, replacement parts and accessories. The aftermarket includes independent service shops as well as the manufacturing and distribution of replacement parts and accessories outside the control of the automobile manufacturer. Traditionally, this relationship has been somewhat adversarial, with the object of the game for the manufacturers to keep as much of this service, parts and accessory business from reaching the aftermarket. Typically, they cover new cars or cars in the 3-5 year old range very well and the aftermarket gets whatever remains. If you look inside most independent service shops, you generally don’t see many late model cars. Conversely, 356, 912 and early 911 cars aren’t usually found at the dealer.
So, in order of quality (actual or only perceived), here is the common jargon used to classify auto parts: factory original or genuine; New Old Stock or N.O.S.; Original Equipment Manufacturer or O.E.M.; aftermarket; reproduction; remanufactured; rebuilt; and used.
Factory Original or Genuine is what is or was provided by the manufacturer and distributed through the dealer network, packaged with the manufacturer’s brand and i.d. number. Sometimes, as in the case of our vintage cars, the replacement part may no longer exist this way, except in the form of New Old Stock or N.O.S.
New Old Stock or N.O.S. may be lingering about in old dealerships, independent shops, enthusiast garages or on e-bay.
Generally speaking, these two categories represent the best, most accurate, in terms of authenticity and correct fitment and they are also the most expensive.
Original Equipment Manufacturer or O.E.M. describes a part made by a manufacturer sub-contracted by the auto maker to design and produce parts for them. An easy example would be Ate (Alfred Teves, GmbH), who manufactures brake hydraulic components. You can buy an Ate master cylinder through the auto dealer or through the aftermarket supply chain. In this case, the master cylinder is exactly the same, but in a blue Ate box instead of a grey box with the car maker’s logo and i.d. label. Generally, the price of an o.e.m. aftermarket part is a bit less expensive. Please note that the term genuine is more often used in place of o.e.m., probably because o.e.m. has filled in the top tier of perceived quality as true genuine has dried up.
Aftermarket is a term used to describe the supply chain outside of the auto dealer or an alternative parts manufacturer or both. Sometimes, a manufacturer, who was not an o.e.m. to the auto maker, may decide to produce a part. These parts are considered aftermarket in quality. They may have a different finish quality, but fit just like an original part. Sometimes they will be inferior in every way. Sometimes they will be indistinguishable from the o.e.m. part. Aftermarket parts are usually priced noticably less than the genuine or o.e.m. parts.
Sometimes, in the case of older cars, the o.e.m. no longer produces the part. If demand still exists, and if it is economically prudent to do so, a reproduction part can be made.
Reproduction parts are, to put it simply, copies of originals. Since it usually involves a manufacturer other than the original, they are aftermarket in origin and subject to the same quality variations, ie., from poor to excellent. The classic car market of ours is full of reproductions.
Remanufactured parts are an alternative to reproduction parts and are becoming more and more popular. In this case a part is restored to as-new condition, both mechanically and cosmetically. A good example of this is the Solex 40PII carburetor. It is now possible to repair and replace enough of the worn-out parts, hardware and surface plating to achieve a virtually new part in terms of performance, length of service and appearance.
Rebuilt parts are a cheaper version of remanufactured parts. A rebuilt part may contain new seals or gaskets within a clean, well-worn but within spec part. They usually lack the nice appearance of a remanufactured part, or the service life, but for a lot less money. A rebuilt part will usually get you down the road.
Used parts come last, but not necessarily least. They can be good or bad, cheap or insanely expensive, depending on supply and demand. For example, new engine cases for most of models we love are no longer available, so a good used one is the only alternative. Most of what you see on e-bay is the buying and selling of used or n.o.s. parts. Buyer beware when it comes to quality.
What does all this mean to the classic 356, 912 or 911 owner? Keep in mind that the object of your hobby is anywhere from twenty to fifty years old or more. They probably made more Ford Mustangs in 1966 than all the 356, 912 and 911 models to 1989 COMBINED!
Just accept the fact that that we are living in a parts world made up of this whole spectrum of parts types. The trend will be less available factory original/o.e.m. parts. Quality will come at a price and the old adage will hold true: you can’t get something for nothing. Trust that your parts supplier knows something about the product you are buying.
Oh, and don’t forget to have fun and enjoy your hobby!
William Pringle
President, Classic & Speed Parts, Inc. |
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