Just had reason to buy some "genuine" rover parts, which were not available from the aftermarket !
I am sure you realise Rover does not exist any more; but the parts are still avaiilable (as genuine mg rover parts) from a network of specialist dealers etc !
Surely that proves (to those that believe that "genuine" parts are better) that genuine parts are not actually genuine; just made for and supplied to the vehicle assembler in their own packaging.
I have picked on Rover; but it happens to all makes !
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Something like 97% of Rover parts are available (at least for the Rover 75 anyway), which is above the industry standard for even newer cars I am lead to believe. Don't forget also that some Rover parts are actually BMW, so this helps.
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My point is that they are still being made (Production date on 1 item was shown as a recent week this year). So a rover part has nothing to do with rover !
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Most car parts are made outside the factory, they are car assembly plants, not manufacturing plants.
I would imagine the specs of the items may differ somewhat depending on if it has a badge on it or is just pattern part, pattern parts may well be out of spec.
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Its a "genuine" rover set of parts.
All proudly declaring "MG Rover"
All parts not available anywhere other than the "genuine" Rover parts dealers network !
Identical even down to stamped in number on plastic mounting !
Edited by yorkiebar on 22/07/2008 at 13:26
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I don't care who actually makes the parts.
What I do care about is knowing that the parts I buy were built to the OEM drawings and specifications, using the contractually agreed materials and processes, subjected to the contractually agreed testing; packed, stored, and delivered in accordance with the specification. The only way to get that is via buying the original parts from a dealer.
Yes, the same people in the same factory might be making similar parts which might fulfil basic fit and function, but do not fully comply with thr OEM specifications.
As wisely mentioned by 659 in another thread, it is the development work in deriving these specifications that is part of what we are paying for.
Exactly who makes them, and where is of no concern - the control excercised during the making of the parts is the vital thing. The time and effort I've wasted on spurious parts has taught me that they usually aren't worth the hassle.
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I am sure you realise Rover does not exist any more;
I did not realise that, because I am sure they do exist.
but the parts are still available (as genuine mg rover parts) from a network of specialist dealers etc !
AFAIK, under an EU directive, Rover MG have the rights to their parts designs for, I think, 10 years [from the either the start or end of production] of a particular design.
Below is an oldish article on the subject.www.ficpi.org/library/montecarlo99/spareparts.html
" SPARE PARTS and their PROTECTION From a EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE "
It may since have been superseded by further legislation.
www.lawdit.co.uk/reading_room/room/view_article.as...G Rover.htm
"Intellectual Property Causing Problems for Rovers New Owners 27 July 2005"
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Production resumes at Longbridge
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7536527....m
Full-scale car production has restarted at the former MG Rover plant in Longbridge, Birmingham.
Shanghai Automotive (SAIC) said it had sold 70% of the orders for its new model, the MG TF LE500.
The company has 55 dealers across the UK and believes the first cars will be with customers by next month.
etc.
..... ......
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Before Rover went bust they sold off their "spare parts business" to a Caterpillar subsidiary (IIRC)
They can obviously order parts from suppliers and put the MG/Rover stamp on the boxes as they bought the right to sell MG Rover spare parts -
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