Chrysler to cut 13,000 jobs

[hemihead]

Yes the manufacturers did have ( and does) have alot of outside suppliers for parts.Gm and Ford own most of theirs while Chrysler has always bought most everything from someone else.Sometmes Chrysler engineered but made to their specs.Now, it is hard to believe that even the vaunted Jap companies build all their own parts. And I bet they are made in some 3rd world country also.I don't see any difference in quality between American and foreign cars.I think people are still thinking of 1979.

[89MOPAR]

 I realize Chrysler has a lot of stuff made for them through subcontractors and has for decades.

Let's put it this way, Parts I have bought from the big auto parts chains, and smaller locals, have a look + feel about them that tends to be cheaper, and I am sure that their failure rate,[ in my experience,] is much worse than parts I have bought at the dealer.

However there is no arguing the advantageous economics of adapting a part to many uses, or marketing the same part to different companies for re-sale.

  Either way , I'd rather keep the Dodge dealer in business than NAPA or Schucks / Kragen / O'Reilly / etc.  - even if it does cost more. I'll pay for "peace of mind"

[Troy]

You generally have to ask at the parts store for the higher quality parts. I wonder if there's a code to look for (like the Year One part numbers) which tells you if it's an OEM part? I know that certain items are probably only available from the dealer. If I have a choice of buying the exact same item (manufacturer, parts number, color, etc.) from two different places I'll buy from the cheaper place - unless there's a customer service issue to deal with. Some places have horrible customer service, poor response, or clueless employees so I avoid them even if they are cheaper (see my comments about frustration above).

hemihead - I wasn't trying to imply that only American car companies outsourced their parts. All manufacturers do but they also dictate the specifications. After all, the manufacturer of the car is the one who has to handle the warranty. What I was trying to get at is that the alternator in your Dodge is likely made at the same plant as the one in a Toyota. I have been reading up on transmissions lately and some of the Dodge trucks use a universal fit transmission bolt pattern because the transmissions are/were made by Aisin along side units for the Toyota Supra, Chevy Colorado, and Pontiac Solstice (and many other models). Yes, the quality of American cars has shown great improvement in recent years (as I stated earlier). I will stand behind that statement to anyone who says American cars are junk as well. I talk with all sorts of people - German car fans, Japanese car fans, American car fans and they all seem to have some misconceptions about things they are unfamiliar with. I like to do my own research before making a decision (assumption). I can't get through to any BMW owners - they a stubborn!

Ford has two transmission plants near where I live and I've toured both. I was actually surprised at some of what they make in house AND the quality control that is required. It makes me wonder how any after market company could compete.

Troy