What is an Aftermarket Part?

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Parts

Any part made by the carmaker is considered OEM, or original equipment manufacturer. Back in the 1960s and 70s, carmakers engineered and manufactured their parts in-house. However, with increased globalization and cost cutting measures many carmakers now rely on independent 3rd party companies to manufacture their parts.

The carmakers place the parts in their own boxes with their own logos and as a result, the end user still believes the part was manufactured by them as opposed to an independent 3rd party company. These parts are still categorized and distributed as OEM parts.

Aftermarket Parts

Aftermarket simply means that the part was made by a company other than the original carmaker. The part does not get distributed in a carmaker box and the part does not contain the carmaker logo.

Aftermarket parts are generally produced with the same type of machinery and materials as OEM to fit and perform as well as the original, but because they are an independent company - their product is categorized as aftermarket.

To produce an aftermarket part, the independent company obtains multiple OEM product samples, technical drawings and material specifications in order to produce an aftermarket version of the original part. With the use of advanced technology, the quality and consistency of aftermarket parts is extremely high.

Not all Parts are Created Equal

The quality of a product relies upon the manufacturer. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers adopt new technologies and invest in their manufacturing facilities.

Many aftermarket products produced by Tier 1 manufacturers can be high-quality products with little or no difference from the OEM. Unfortunately, there are other companies at the lower end of the spectrum who produce a lower quality product and consequently, tarnish the reputation of the entire aftermarket industry.

At Pro Body Parts - we believe it's not about providing perceived value, but offering real value. As a result, Pro Body Parts undergoes tremendous efforts to seek out Tier 1 manufacturers. We have developed an in-house quality program to ensure the companies we partner with are companies that manufacture a consistently high quality part and have internal quality control procedures in place which help them substantiate claims of fit, form and function.