Do carmakers continue to make car parts after the car is redesigned?
#1
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Do carmakers continue to make car parts after the car is redesigned?
Ok...so here is my question. Long after the model has stopped production, does a carmaker continue to manufacture the parts for the car. logic would say no but why not under special order.....the parts must be made wouldn't they?
All the tooling is done. So why not make parts when special ordered....
Case in point. Lets take the 1st gen Toyota Tundra. There were over 700,000 vehicles built between 1999-2006...
Or even bigger...the F150...there are millions of each gen made...so why wouldn't you special order parts when needed.
Car part makers must keep the tooling....
What is more money losing...storing an endless number of parts or a parts maker building parts for special order with some downtime?
I ask this because I just ordered two parts for my Tundra. Both HVAC rotary *****...the truck has not been made since 2006 but the dealer took two days to get the parts.
All the tooling is done. So why not make parts when special ordered....
Case in point. Lets take the 1st gen Toyota Tundra. There were over 700,000 vehicles built between 1999-2006...
Or even bigger...the F150...there are millions of each gen made...so why wouldn't you special order parts when needed.
Car part makers must keep the tooling....
What is more money losing...storing an endless number of parts or a parts maker building parts for special order with some downtime?
I ask this because I just ordered two parts for my Tundra. Both HVAC rotary *****...the truck has not been made since 2006 but the dealer took two days to get the parts.
Last edited by pagemaster; 04-08-10 at 12:06 AM.
#3
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In short, no, manufacturers don't manufacture parts past a model run.
Now, the long story. Manufacturing a part and making it available are two different things. The manufacturer can use whatever method necessary to insure parts are available after the vehicle is no longer made. The most common methods are the use of third party vendors, such as, Denso, Yazaki, Koito, Iki, Panasonic, etc. Also, manufacturers will build "overstock" to comply with future demand. Many, many, fast moving parts like air filters, oil filters, brake pads, wiper blades, and so on, are sold by manufacturers for 20, 30, 40, even 50 years after a model is discontinued but these parts are *manufactured* by a third party for the manufacturer to be sold as OEM. Manufacturer specific parts like sheet metal, interior trim, carpet, door panels, etc. won't usually have a shelf life that long. When they're gone, they're gone. That's why it is sometimes difficult to find interior trim on a 20 year old car.
Also, I forgot to mention, this is based on my knowledge of Toyota/Lexus. I can only assume that other manufacturers operate similarly.
Now, the long story. Manufacturing a part and making it available are two different things. The manufacturer can use whatever method necessary to insure parts are available after the vehicle is no longer made. The most common methods are the use of third party vendors, such as, Denso, Yazaki, Koito, Iki, Panasonic, etc. Also, manufacturers will build "overstock" to comply with future demand. Many, many, fast moving parts like air filters, oil filters, brake pads, wiper blades, and so on, are sold by manufacturers for 20, 30, 40, even 50 years after a model is discontinued but these parts are *manufactured* by a third party for the manufacturer to be sold as OEM. Manufacturer specific parts like sheet metal, interior trim, carpet, door panels, etc. won't usually have a shelf life that long. When they're gone, they're gone. That's why it is sometimes difficult to find interior trim on a 20 year old car.
Also, I forgot to mention, this is based on my knowledge of Toyota/Lexus. I can only assume that other manufacturers operate similarly.
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When I visited the Mercedes museum I found out that MB still produces spare parts for their vehicles that were made in the 1950s. You can obtain these parts from their Classic Center in Stuttgart.
This allows collectors and fans of classic Mercedes' worldwide the chance to own a vintage Benz without having to worry about the lack of spares. As far as I know, Mercedes is the only company that does this.
This allows collectors and fans of classic Mercedes' worldwide the chance to own a vintage Benz without having to worry about the lack of spares. As far as I know, Mercedes is the only company that does this.
#5
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When I visited the Mercedes museum I found out that MB still produces spare parts for their vehicles that were made in the 1950s. You can obtain these parts from their Classic Center in Stuttgart.
This allows collectors and fans of classic Mercedes' worldwide the chance to own a vintage Benz without having to worry about the lack of spares. As far as I know, Mercedes is the only company that does this.
This allows collectors and fans of classic Mercedes' worldwide the chance to own a vintage Benz without having to worry about the lack of spares. As far as I know, Mercedes is the only company that does this.
#6
Lexus Fanatic
#7
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Ok...so here is my question. Long after the model has stopped production, does a carmaker continue to manufacture the parts for the car. logic would say no but why not under special order.....the parts must be made wouldn't they?
In addition to this, other factors come into play, such as the long Federal warranties required on some emission-control, air-bag, and hybrid-vehicle parts.....some of them stay in production longer thn other parts simply for legal purposes.
So, the short answer to your question is.....it depends on the vehicle, part type, and production circumstances.
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#8
When I visited the Mercedes museum I found out that MB still produces spare parts for their vehicles that were made in the 1950s. You can obtain these parts from their Classic Center in Stuttgart.
This allows collectors and fans of classic Mercedes' worldwide the chance to own a vintage Benz without having to worry about the lack of spares. As far as I know, Mercedes is the only company that does this.
This allows collectors and fans of classic Mercedes' worldwide the chance to own a vintage Benz without having to worry about the lack of spares. As far as I know, Mercedes is the only company that does this.
I was also reading somewhere that there were enough spare parts and bodyshells left over to build up to 500 new DeLoreans. Apparently a company in the US has got hold of them and can build you a whole new DeLorean. I think they are still working the kinks out of the flux capicitator though.