| If you go back 20 or 30 years ago you find that | | | | part than the newest Ford, then suddenly more |
| the world of selling car parts was fairly simple. | | | | parts needed to be made. More manufacturers |
| Everyone was using the same technology and, in | | | | started creating what they called dealer only parts |
| many cases, they were also using the same | | | | which means that you could not run down to |
| parts. | | | | your local auto part store and get that new car |
| Of course each manufacturer had their own | | | | part. |
| engineering methods that created the differences | | | | You had to go to the nearest dealer and pay a |
| in the cars but in many cases you could become | | | | lot more for the new car part than you would if it |
| very confused by all of the different car models | | | | was available as a generic. Now the new car part |
| that looked exactly alike. It was no coincidence | | | | market is a money making machine for |
| that some models resembled others as they | | | | manufacturers and the consumer winds up paying |
| were all using the same basic technology. | | | | more in the end. |
| As automobile technology advanced | | | | |
| manufacturers soon started to create models | | | | Anything for the Almighty Dollar |
| that did not resemble one another. The influence | | | | In the old days it was easy to get a new car |
| of the foreign auto makers caused American auto | | | | part. It was uncommon for a part to be only |
| makers to become more creative to have their | | | | available through the dealer as most vehicles used |
| models stand out. As models became more | | | | standard and common parts. But as the |
| identifiable they also required a lot more parts. | | | | manufacturers started to really customize their |
| Suddenly the new car part no longer fit four or | | | | new models they also came out with a plan to |
| five different models. There still is the occasional | | | | make more money on the new car parts people |
| new car part that is somewhat universal but | | | | would need. |
| most manufacturers decided that the new car | | | | Now more parts are dealer only and even parts |
| part for their models was going to be unique to | | | | you can buy in a auto part store can be very |
| their models. Not only did this help with creating | | | | specific to the model of your vehicle. It is all just |
| separate identities, it also helped with the bottom | | | | another way to make sure that you are paying |
| line. | | | | as much as possible to keep your vehicle on the |
| If the newest Chevy required a different new car | | | | road. |