Used Auto Parts

Used auto parts not only include car parts but also trucks and other vehicles. There are many websites that sell and buy used auto parts. These business firms salvage what they can from junkyards and improve on the quality of that part before selling it. If a person is interested in selling used auto parts then it is advisable to start the business on-line so that the seed money required for the business is less compared to any business that is initiated in the normal market.

The United States of America produces so many cars in a year that it is difficult to recycle every part that is produced and the junkyards have started to pile up. The used car parts market is very big in the US and is cluttered with useless parts that people try to sell. Recognizing and differentiating between useful parts and the useless ones is a skill that is required in this business.

Numerous salvage yards buy used automotive parts and usually purchase the sheet metal of the body and late model trucks or cars with usable parts. This means that almost all salvage yards owners are interested in buying automotive parts that are in working condition.

Used auto parts come in many varieties and the quality of a used auto part can be judged according to its age, the make, whether it was still in use, and according to the wear and tear that it has withstood. Many gas stations sell used auto parts but the quality of these parts may not be very good. If a person is interested in buying and selling used auto parts then a salvage yard can provide the seller or the buyer with myriad choices.

There are retail outlets, online stores, mechanics and salvage yard owners who readily agree to buy or sell used automotive parts to anyone who is interested. A simple garage sale can also be a solution for selling or buying used auto parts.

Tough and Durable Replacement Land Rover Parts: Defying Severe Off-Road Conditions

Land Rover is an unbeatable name in the all-terrain utility vehicle market. This marque sports not only the toughest performance auto parts from Land Rover electrical parts to Land Rover fuel injection parts, Land Rover transmission parts, Land Rover suspension and Land Rover accessories; but rugged looks and excellent luxury features as well, being a part of the Premier Automotive Group of Ford.

Several Land Rover vehicles have made it to the top of the auto market through the years; the most popular is the Land Rover Discovery. This luxury SUV successfully vies in the auto industry's luxury off-road vehicle segment. Powered by a 4.0 L V8, and equipped with heavy duty Land Rover mechanical engine parts, and highly efficient Land Rover fuel system parts, there's no doubt this vehicle is ready to take you anywhere you desire.

Although less popular the than the Discovery, Land Rover's top model, the Range Rover still heads the Land Rover line of SUVs. It comes with a permanent 4WD and disc brakes all around. Land Rover Range Rover auto parts are made with the highest standards in order to meet the meticulous demands of the luxury market. Since this vehicle was launched in 1970, no other sport utility vehicle has equaled or surpassed the Range Rover in terms of luxurious features. With its technologically advanced interior Land Rover Parts, excellent safety features and impressive line of performance auto parts, it is by far the Best Luxury SUV in the market.

Best as it may seem to be, Land Rover SUVs are still subject to common car problems and its tried and tested Land Rover Parts, subject to wear and tear. Hence, proper and frequent maintenance is needed to keep its driving potentials intact. If some of your Rover Range Rover parts have been damaged, perhaps due to a collision, make sure to replace them with equally dependable Land Rover Parts and Range Rover Parts. Replacing your stock auto parts with high quality, tough and reliable replacement performance parts, aftermarket parts and auto accessories is the best way to ensure your safety and driving satisfaction.

Among the thousands of auto parts store online that offer OEM-quality parts, only one store affords the most comprehensive and the most dependable line of Land Rover Parts and Land Rover Body Parts, Land Rover Parts for Discovery and other Land Rover vehicles, Land Rover Parts and Car Parts. All parts offered in this store are guaranteed tough and durable and are designed to defy severe off-road driving conditions.

Knowing that only the most reliable auto parts can give you ultimate driving satisfaction, Land Rover Parts and Car Parts delivers only the finest Land Rover Parts and Rover Parts, Land Rover Parts for Discovery, Land Rover Range Rover Parts and Land Rover Defender Parts that meet your vehicle's specifications. The best way to prove these replacement parts' toughness and dependability is to take your SUV off-road. This Land Rover Parts and Rover Parts store is ready to take the challenge.

The Differences Between OE OEM and OES Parts

OE: Original Equipment:  This part is either made by the car manufacture or is made by an automotive part supplier and is branded with the car manufactures logo and/or in the car manufactures box.  

OEM Original Equipment Manufacture

OES Original Equipment Supplier

Car manufacturers do not make all their parts that they put on their vehicles during assembly or repair, they contract out to auto part manufactures to make parts for them. For the most part the car manufacturer makes the body, frame and major engine components the rest they 'farm out' to OEM/OES manufacturers. The car manufacturer provides the specifications to the OEM/OES manufactures for the parts they need. The OEM/OES manufactures the part to these specs, adds a logo and ships it to the car manufacture.

Bosch, Bilstien, Boge, Beru, Mann, ATE, to name a few, are all OEM or OES suppliers to the car manufacturers. They make parts from spark plugs to exhaust parts. The difference between OE and OEM/OES is mainly the OEM/OES usually don't have the car manufactures logo, but they are the same exact part. Sometimes the logo is ground off the part by the OEM/OES company so as not to affect there contract with the car manufacture. Same part coming off the same assembly line as the OE part does.

The OEM/OES parts are less expensive because they do not go through the car manufactures part system. Every time an OE part goes through a depot, warehouse, dealer, there is a little more money added to the cost of the part. This is the major reason that OE parts cost more. OEM/OES do not go through this procedure, our buyers get them directly from the manufactures, keeping the prices down.  

Aftermarket: aftermarket parts are just that, aftermarket. They are not made by the car manufacturers. They can be made by one of the original equipment manufacturer companies or by a completely different manufacturer. The main difference is they are not made completely to the car manufacture specifications. This is not always bad. One example is Bilstien. They are an OEM/OES supplier, but they offer aftermarket parts also. There HD struts/shocks are original equipment, but their Sport struts/shocks and suspension kits are not made to OE specifications, better but not OE, so it's now an aftermarket part. Another example is the Stewart EMP BMW water pumps. Stewart EMP is NOT an OEM/OES manufacturer but the pump they make is better and stronger than OE. It is an aftermarket part but a better part altogether.  

But still another example of an aftermarket BAD part is a counterfeit part. Counterfeit part manufacturers use backward engineering to get the specifications of the part without paying the car manufacturer. And almost all the time these parts are made with very low quality components. Sometimes these parts are very hard to identify because a lot of emphasis is put on the look and feel of the part and not what it is made from. One way to identify an counterfeit part is its unbelievable low price, the old adage you get what you pay for fits here. The best way to avoid these cheap low quality parts is to purchase your parts from a reliable source, one that offers a warranty and return policy.

Almost all Performance parts are aftermarket parts, again be careful with these parts also. Buy from a reputable supplier or/or manufacturer.  

Replacement Auto Parts Where to Find Them

When needing a replacement part for you car, where do you shop? Like many motorists you may head down to the big box retailer for all of your needs. A good choice both for value and for selection. Still, mostly any retailer is limited as to what they can stock. This especially holds true if you drive a rare or uncommon vehicle. Try finding a window regulator for your '69 Torino at the parts store; they'll get it for you but it will have to be back ordered. So, where should you shop? That's up to you, but let's goes over the options that you have.

The Salvage Yard. Let's admit it: there isn't anything wrong with going to the junkyard to find the part you need. My '78 VW Rabbit's window handle broke and I snagged one off of a junker for just a few bucks. Still, if you are looking for a radiator, engine, exhaust stuff, or anything else that actually runs, you risk that the part will fail soon after you place it in your car. Naturally, the price you pay through the junkyard should be the lowest price going.

Your Dealer. On the other side of the spectrum is your car dealer. If they don't have it in stock, they can get if for you. Service with a smile and a price that will make you frown! Yes, you will pay dearly for some parts, as middleman mark ups kick in.

Your Retail Store. Retail auto supply chains typically have the broadest selection and the lowest prices of any of the brick and mortar retailers. Your best option for a good buy is when something is on sale; stock items will cost you the prevailing retail rate, but that is the price you pay for convenience. Overhead [buildings, labor] is high even with most national retailers.

Shop Online. Wholesale providers of automobile replacement parts and accessories are springing up all over the internet. Some stores are good, some are not. What to look for: available customer service agents; a toll free number where you can call someone to talk with directly; a store that never closes and has a secured payment site; and clearly understood shipment, payment, and return policies. Generally, an online retailer should be a great option as low overhead and purchasing directly from the manufacturer is what sets these wholesalers apart from the rest. Still, do your homework and make sure that the site is what it says it is.

One special warning: the growth of the counterfeit parts industry is causing fits for retailers and consumers. If you suspect that you have purchased a bogus part, return it to the retailer for a full return. One more good reason to learn what a company's return policy is before you do business with them.

In all, shopping for parts is easier today, thanks to the internet. From the ease of your computer you can compare prices, service, shipping options, warranties, and more. The consumer is the winner and retailers are keeping prices low in order to bring in additional business.

How to Become an Auto Service Writer or Auto Parts Specialist

Imagine being able to enter into a great job in as little as 18 weeks of training? Does this sound too good to be true? Think again. You can actually find a program from auto training schools that can get you into the workforce this quickly. This course of study is the Advanced Automotive Service Advisor Program.

Reputable auto training schools that offer this program will usually work in collaboration with industry partnerships to provide students with training in the computer systems used in the automotive industry.

There are two extremely challenging positions that can be achieved through this kind of training--- that of a Professional Service Writer or that of a Parts Specialist.

WHY CHOOSE A CAREER IN THE AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR?

A graduate from an auto training school will have the door open to an immense amount of opportunities available in the automotive industry. There are many people who are actually unaware of the career positions available in service writing or as a parts specialist. Did you know that the Canadian Automotive Industry will for a fact be looking for 92, 159 new employees by 2014. By the way, 94% will be full time based on current employment trends, all this according to the 2009 Labour Market Update.

WHAT DOES SERVICE WRITER TRAINING ENTAIL?

A student will spend approximately 50% of their training time in auto training schools learning the essentials of the current industry software applications. These will include:

• Dealership systems used for service and parts pricing, parts inventory cataloguing, service writing and customer management
• Automotive business management systems (ABMS)
• Learning industry standard estimating tools for parts and labour
• Learning how to search in electronic parts catalogues that let you locate parts around the world

WHAT DOES TRAINING FOR A PARTS SPECIALIST ENTAIL?

A parts specialist can work in both the retail automotive stores as well as in wholesale parts suppliers. In addition, there are also parts specialists in many industries including recreational and transportation.

The training for a parts specialist from auto training schools will include learning the following:

• How to take, place and follow up on orders
• Handle warranty issues, returns and labour claims
• Complete call reports, time sheets and expense reports
• Prepare and update sales contracts

Both a service writer and a parts specialist are jobs that will continue to grow in demand as the automotive industry continues to grow stronger each day. With so many new cars on the road each day, how can one go wrong to enrol in an auto training schools program? It can certainly add up to an amazing employment future!

How Could You Save Money Using Used Auto Parts?

Are you running your own car? If it is yes, then obviously you have to do regular maintenance of your car that requires you purchasing several parts at a regular interval. During this time, you should consider purchasing used auto parts rather than new auto parts that may cut a huge from your annual maintenance cost.

There are some advantages of replacing damaged auto parts of your car with used parts. Among various benefits, cost saving gets the top priority. If you want to purchase new parts, you may have to pay double than the used parts. This is the main reason why auto owners want to purchase old parts. Sometimes, it may save half of the price of new parts.

However, if you have any plan to replace your old car within one or two years, then it would be better for you to invest less on it. In such cases, you should give priority to purchasing a used one. But, you have to remember that you can't replace all damaged parts with used parts. There are some obstructions replacing parts like spark-plug and ECU sensors. You have to think about parts, which are durable and won't bother at all using for long time like engine head, cylinder, piston, and crankshaft and so on.

In some cases, new parts can rarely be managed from the manufacturer and even too much costly. You can easily find a good replacement of new parts from your nearby junkyards. Some automotive parts remain in good condition even though the car is damaged. If you can manage your required parts from the junkyard, then it would save a huge from your budget.

Some junkyards also sell used auto parts online leaving an option to you to find your required one easily from home. You can easily take that option to manage a good used one for the maintenance of your car. If you spend a little bit time online, you may find some junkyards selling auto parts at a very low cost.

You may also find some auto part stores selling used parts that have been machined or re-manufactured. Actually, they do machining of parts like damaged shaft and damaged gear teeth, and offer to customers at a very low cost. Though, these are technically used parts, but have got a new look and structure after machining. You can also think about such parts to cut your vehicle maintenance cost.

Steel Tariffs Are Needed to be Lowered from Auto Parts Industry

Some of the automotive suppliers from U.S. have demanded for exclusions from the high tariffs which were mostly agreed by the Bush administration and almost all companies filed range from Tier 1 producers to the small Tier 3 Producers.

Motor& Equipment Manufacturers Association (also named MEMA), taking into account the possibilities of serious job losses has required for an expand of existent guidelines of the second stage of exclusions and 'to consider the critical factors of price and supply steel as part of its decisions''s.

Despite the fact that MEMA is prone to support an existent of domestic steel industry, its tariffs had a strong negative effect on the automotive suppliers, according to Chris Bates the president of MEMA. This supply constraints and the increases in price which are generally a result of the high steel tariffs are now obliging large Tier 1 Automotive suppliers to start creating or buying components that they have previously created and purchased from foreign sources.

According to what MEMA claims, a tendency of responding to the increase of steel tariffs is to reduce the production and to start thinking about the movement of some manufacturing facilities permanently abroad. MEMA also claim that the shift of movement facilities and jobs to other countries where prices remain the same is growing fast.

The industry of auto parts suppliers haven't benefited from the first round of the process of exclusion, taken care of by the Department of Commerce and the U.S. trade Representatives's office.Taking into account the fact that the U.S. manufacturers of automotive parts and components reach a price of 95 percent of the steel from U.S.A they have not felt relief from the existed guidelines of the administration's exclusion process.

The process has described mainly speciality forms of steel from abroad which could not been created or bought from the U.S. market. The U.S. steel producers have reached exclusion in the first tour for importing slabs and flat-rolled steel products at low prices, while steel costumers have gained minimal relief. Moreover, competitors from abroad have gained a more powerful control over the U.S. market by buying steel at normal prices and by exporting finished or partially finished products at lower tariffs.

MEMA claims is heavily concerned by the fact that high steel prices will threaten the viability of a powerful American manufacturing center' without a secure supply of raw materials and a steady cost structure, U.S. auto parts and components manufacturers will not be able to secure future business and to ensure their competitive stance in the global automotive industry', MEMA claimed.

MEMA will continue as strong supporter of the House Resolution, introduced by representative Joe Knollenberg on Oct. 9. The legislation which happens to be bipartisan has gained support in the 107th Congress and it has been introduced again in the

House in 3003. This Resolution of Knollenberg's asks the president to ask that the International Trade Comission should reconsider the effect of the tariffs on steel consumption industries in U.S.

The present analysis must be included in the ITC's midterm review of the administrations's steel program, which should be released by September 2003, said MEMA.

10 Automotive Careers

The Canadian automotive industry is experiencing a shortage of qualified workers. If you love cars and are interested in automotive careers, here are ten auto careers to consider.

1. Quality Control Inspector

In an automotive parts assembly plant, the quality control inspector examines products for defects or blemishes before sending them out to market.

2. New Car Sales Representative

Auto sales training at an auto sales college can help you break into a career as a car salesperson. Top performers can earn as much as $100,000 a year. A certificate from an auto sales college teaches prospective salespeople about the intricacies of today's market, which has undergone a lot of changes in recent years.

3. Collision Estimator

After a car accident, collision estimators are responsible for assessing the level of damage. They prepare reports for:

• repair shops
• car rental companies
• insurance companies

These reports can include:

• repair times
• paint times

Like many auto careers, collision estimating involves the use of specialized industry software, and, therefore, requires some computer skills.

4. Auto Body Technician

Auto careers include auto body specialists who:

• apply anti-rust treatments to cars
• apply undercoats
• match colours
• mix and apply paints

This is one of the automotive careers that calls for:

• attention to detail
• creativity (matching colours, designing and carrying out custom paint jobs).

5. Parts Specialist

This is one of the automotive careers that requires both technical knowledge and customer service skills. Parts specialists help individuals or professionals find the replacement parts they need.

6. CAD Operator

CAD stands for computer-aided design. CAD operators use computer tools to design automobiles and other vehicles.

7. Heavy Duty Equipment Service Technician

There are a range of automotive careers for mechanics. Heavy duty mechanics work in such industries as:

• mining
• forestry
• landscaping

They inspect, diagnose and repair such vehicles as:

• bulldozers
• graders
• loaders
• tractors
• forklifts
• buses
• trucks
• drills

8. Trailer Mechanic

Another one of the possible auto careers for mechanics is trailer mechanic. This kind of mechanic repairs, maintains, rebuilds and overhauls commercial trailers.

Trailer mechanics must understand:

• proper lifting procedures
• preventative maintenance
• brakes
• basic hydraulics
• electrical theory

9. Workshop Foreman

Auto careers also include management positions, such as overseeing the functions in a body shop:

• oversee repairs
• assign work
• oversee productivity
• ensure quality

10. Auto Assembly

Auto assembly encompasses a range of auto careers and includes such tasks as:

• welding
• rust-proofing
• painting

This list is just the beginning. According to the Globe and Mail newspaper, there are 75 cars on the road in Canada for every 100 people aged 16 or over. The high number of cars in this country translates into a high number of automotive careers.

Much-Awaited Nissan And Ford Pairing

It has been suggested by some of the analysts in the automotive industry that Nissan should pair up with Ford. Others are saying that Nissan might be barking at the wrong tree with General Motors. This is in connection with the ongoing Detroit excitement created by Kirk Kirkorian, Carlos Ghosn, and Rick Wagoner.

One of the automobile news authorities published, "As bloated and monolithic as GM may seem on the surface, its fundamental health and R&D resources seem to be on track to recovery with a potentially full-blown product renaissance in the next few years. Ford, on the other hand, seems to be barely hanging on by a thread. The Dearborn boys may be in much greater need of a partner than the General. So naturally, automotive analysts are all abuzz about this possible pairing. Nissan of late has dramatically streamlined its supplier relationships and production flexibility, two things that could greatly benefit Ford. They've also noted, erroneously or not, that Nissan and Ford have much less product overlap than GM and Nissan."

According to many analysts the possible pairing of Nissan and Ford has no precedent. Nonetheless, said pairing is encouraged to boost the potentials of each automaker. Nissan's early ventures include Mercury Villager and the pioneer of Nissan Quest. It incorporates auto parts Nissan which are results of extensive studies and ventures.

What makes the proposal different from that of previous proposals made by Nissan is that it may include a more extensive coupling than a single joint-venture on one vehicle. It is blatant that Ford, though has entertained many changes, is still strictly family-controlled. This is one unique factor of Ford compared to other American automakers and global manufacturers. Moreover, with Ford's structure the query whether Nissan's would-be proposal will be accepted by the Ford family is still hot. Another situation that needs to be taken into account by the two automakers if ever the pairing will prosper is the voting rights. Will Ford assent to equal voting rights - said query will be further addressed when the pairing comes into existence.

Buying Aftermarket Auto Parts Online

In last couple of years the popularity of aftermarket auto parts has grown at phenomenal rate. Basically considered as an alternate automotive parts which are not made by auto manufacturers these aftermarket auto equipments compete with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. They are usually purchased and added to the car or truck only at the dealership or after the car or truck left the dealership. In terms of design and function, aftermarket auto parts are very similar to the stock automotive parts and primarily used to substitute a spoiled original auto part. 

These days many auto owners or users are preferring aftermarket products because they are comparatively less expensive than OEM replacements. Though at times some aftermarket auto parts do not meet the high standards of original equipments, but it is also wrong to state that aftermarket products are usually second-rate in terms of style. Aftermarket auto parts are one of the few great ways to customize the appearance and feel of any car or truck. Depending on how much you want to do and your budget, you can even improve the performance of your vehicle with aftermarket automotive parts. 

There are numerous sources of aftermarket auto parts. Nevertheless, online stores are new upcoming platforms that are gaining consumers' attention and getting a good response worldwide. Today there are numerous companies that are even playing the role of wholesale distributors or resellers of a wide range of aftermarket auto equipments.

There was a time when shopping for aftermarket auto equipments was considered to be quite challenging task. It was very tiring, as one has to make rounds and move from stores to different shops just to look for the best car and truck parts along with the most competitive prices. But, in recent times with the emergence of online stores things have changed dramatically. 

Buying aftermarket auto parts online can offer you some of best benefits, such as-

1 - You Get Factual Information About Supplier- Reliable suppliers are not those who talk impressively. The background of the sellers and the experience they have are few important concerns that you generally face while purchasing any product. Now in case of aftermarket auto parts there are several online buying platforms that are equipped with systems to allow you make informed assessment regarding the qualifications and experience of the online vendor. With online stores you have options to surf through like customer testimonials, feedback or some kind of a certification program that can help you get the right info about online supplier.

2 - You Have Numerous Options- At an online aftermarket auto parts store there are different suppliers who offer diverse automobile accessories. As a result, automotive parts for vehicles of almost every brand, model and make is made available for you online and this in turn increase the probability of finding right part an as per your requirement or specification.

3 - You Have 24 X 7 Hours Access- The best part of buying auto parts through online process is that you don't exactly require to figure out the working hours of online store or wait till they open. It doesn't matter whichever part of the world you are, all you require is just an online connection and just place right order.  

Apart from all this, purchasing aftermarket car / truck parts online also help you greatly in accessing free information and advice. They at times provide news and updates regarding upgrades in automotive parts and accessories. As there is no need for a middleman, these online stores also offer great discounts.

Providing best deals at best price, along with so many benefits the practice of buying aftermarket car or truck parts from an online auto part dealer is definitely far better than having to go to the junk or surplus shops. The bottom-line is that the boom and easily accessibility of online stores has made aftermarket auto parts companies very successful and it is going to stay in business for a long time. 

Automotive Painting and Body Technician Courses

Automotive Painting and Body Technician courses provide students with hands-on-training and experience for work as an Auto Body Technician and Automotive Refinishing Prep Technician, two fields that are in constant demand. Automotive Painting and Body Technician courses focus on developing the skills required to ensure successful entry into an automotive painting and bodywork profession.

The automotive Industry remains one of the most important in North America, despite the restructuring that has captured so much attention. There continues to be mass competition, significant advances in technology, including many "green initiatives", and ongoing demand to repair and service the some 500 million cars that are already on the road.

Automotive Painting and Body Technician courses will often cover the following topics:

• Introduction to the Automotive Industry and shop safety
• Automotive detailing
• Automotive refinishing prep tools and shop procedures
• Materials
• Surface preparation
• Small dent repair
• Priming
• Plastic parts refinishing
• Masking procedures
• Introduction to refinishing procedures
• Tools and equipment
• Welding technology
• Sheet metal repair
• Vehicle construction technology
• Plastic repair technology

The pay structure for a Refinishing Prep and Auto Body Technician leaves plenty of room for earning growth. On average, Collision Repair Technicians make between $40,000 and $56,000 per year. Pursuing a career in auto body repair painting means you can pursue entry-level positions with a long list of potential employers, including:

• New car dealers
• Retail collision repair facilities
• Custom specialty shops
• Heavy duty truck repair facilities
• Becoming an entrepreneur and owning your own body shop

Positions for graduates of auto body repair painting courses include:

• Automotive Detailer
• Apprentice Refinishing Prep Technician
• Apprentice Motor Vehicle Body Repairer
• Automotive Metal Fabricator/Welder
• Plastic Repair Technician
• Dent Doctor
• Aftermarket Installer
• Automotive Refinishing Technician
• Automotive Painter
• And More

Typical duties for Refinishing Prep or Auto Body Repair Technicians include:

• Remove wax, grease and dust from the vehicle
• Remove rough spots on vehicle panels and sand surfaces by hand or with air sanders
• Minor damage repairs
• Restoration of anti-corrosion treatments and substrate preparation
• Undercoat product mixing and application ensuring chemical compatibility, adhesion and durability
• Application of anti-corrosion compounds
• Prep vehicle for paint; masking and priming
• Apply primer to repair areas
• Paint parts inners
• Sand the vehicle several times during the painting process
• Possible collision or restorative work, or they may design and create custom paint jobs
• Set the booth to dry the paint
• Remove masking papers and touch up paintwork
• Remove parts, damaged fenders, doors, panels, and grills
• Repair structure of vehicles
• Remove dents, buckles, and other defects
• Repair and replace doors, front-end body, and underbody components
• And more

Volkswagen Passat with Nokia Blue Tooth Technology: VW Aftermarket and Replacement Parts

Volkswagen is the first automaker to offer its customers a factory-fitted automotive communication solution that supports the Bluetooth SIM Access Profile. The handset integration product provides compatibility with a wide range of mobile phones from various manufacturers. A mobile phone holder is also offered as an option for users who wish to charge their phone in the car.

The Nokia Car Phone with Bluetooth Technology for the VW Passat is set for launch in Europe and Asia in 2nd quarter 2005."For the first time, an automaker is offering a communication solution using the Bluetooth SIM Access Profile that is factory-fitted in the vehicle. This represents an important engineering achievement: we have taken a further step toward universality and factory-installed, integrated communication solutions. The user can now take advantage of wide-ranging compatibility with a large number of mobile phones without having to rely on aftermarket solutions", says Marcus Stahl, General Manager Nokia Automotive.

The Nokia Car Phone with Bluetooth Technology can access the SIM card of the compatible mobile phone and log onto the GSM network. As soon as the user gets out of the car or presses a certain button on his mobile phone, the receiving mode is deactivated and the mobile phone automatically logs back onto the mobile network.

The VW Passat's Nokia Blue Tooth includes key functions such as radio mute and downloading of phonebook entries from compatible mobile phones via Bluetooth wireless technology, as well as additional basic functions such as voice dial, taking and ending calls, and redial.

As Volkswagen keeps producing cars with cutting edge technology, Partstrain maintains its lead on product excellence by its continuous supply of top grade Volkswagen Aftermarket and Replacement parts.

Partstrain offers top of the line Volkswagen Parts. The customer has a choice from a vast array of Performance Parts, Replacement Parts, Aftermarket Parts and accessories. It offers new and used Volkswagen auto body and engine parts, headlights, transmission parts, taillights, radiators, wheels, rims, and more.

You can shop securely for your Volkswagen parts with Parts Train's online store at http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByVehicle/VOLKSWAGEN. The Volkswagen OEM parts you need are in stock and ready to be shipped.

Getting What You Need With a Used Auto Parts Search

Finding auto parts for a new car is easy. You just go to the dealer and get what you need. Same is true with a used car that is not too used yet. But where you do find parts for an older car? One way is to look online with a used auto parts search.

There are many outsourcing sites online that are search engines to find just about any part you need. No more going to the junkyard to find that old part that you need to keep your cars running. You just need to visit your computer and find a site and find the part.

Looking online is easy. The sites are vast that will have many parts that you need. Your most difficult task will be finding the sight that will become your favorite. Bookmark a few that are appealing to you after visiting them so you know where to find them again.

It is suggested that you do some research before you have an emergency if you will be looking for parts. Research some sites and find a few that are appealing. Then try looking for sample parts that you might need in the near future or pretend to need them and see if you can find them. This will give you an idea of what you can find on the site.

The sites will also give you and idea of what the part will cost. Having several sites available to you it is easy to compare prices and what they offer. You will most likely find a site that has the pricing preferred for your budget and can fit your needs. You may also find sites that are offering the parts for the model you need. They have a large database with all the necessary items for the rebuild part or to keep the motor running.

The more you search and discover the parts you need the more you will discover what your favorite sites are. If you are a person who restores cars these types of online search engines can be invaluable. They can be your best friend when you are looking for that hard to find item. Manufacturers stop making parts after a certain amount of time. But the cars that are no longer in service due to an accident or ages have been sold to others for parts. You are also recycling and saving the landfills from cars that are no longer in service.

It is also a find for the other end. The companies that have the parts have much more of an opportunity to sell what they have through an online source as opposed to people coming to their market. This opens up a whole new customer base for them. So both parties benefit from an online search engine.

Check them out yourself and see what you think. You may love to scavenge around a junkyard but consider this alternative. Find the part you need fast with an used auto parts search online today as see what you can find.

Finding the Best Tire Changer Parts and Auto Equipment Repair Providers

If you are involved in the automotive repair industry, finding items such as tire changer parts, exhaust system parts, and items for other automotive lifts and equipment is extremely important. You, your employees, and your customers are depending on those items. Time, quality, expertise, and customer service should all come into play when selecting a dealer.

Lead Time For Exhaust System Parts And Other Items

For companies in the repair industry, lost time can cost you immediate profits, current clients, and even future leads, potentially costing you millions of dollars. When you order tire changer parts or any other product, you need the item as soon as possible. Look for a provider that has a fast turnaround time and one that can get your purchase to you as quickly as possible. Choosing a supplier that has more than one warehouse can help since the items have less distance to travel.

Experience In Tire Changer Parts And Other Equipment

Choosing a knowledgeable company to purchase from is also important. You need the right pieces, the first time, and they need to be good quality. Otherwise, you will find yourself having to return and reorder the same things, consistently eating up a large portion of your time. A supplier with knowledgeable staff will be able to talk with you to help you find exactly the pieces you need to get that equipment operational and making you money.

The Ability To Supply Items For Various Machines

Getting tire changer parts, exhaust system parts, and pieces for other equipment from one supplier can be highly beneficial to a business. You build a relationship with the supplier that can improve the quality of your supply chain. It also eases the pressure repairs have on your business because you can order everything you need at once and save cash as you become a valued customer. Suppliers with large product lines can give you the added cost savings that comes with it. Because they have more of an item inventory than others, they can sell them at a lower cost to you.

Finding pieces for old and discontinued equipment as well as the newest styles on the market can be difficult. Either the manufacturer no longer supports a particular model, or there isn't enough of them out there to make finding these items easy. By selecting a dealer who has comprehensive line, or ability to have the pieces made, will save you a lot of headaches.

Quality Customer Service

If you do happen to have a problem with an item you purchased or need help finding a specific piece, the provider needs to have superior customer service. If you have to wait two or three days for an answer to your question, that is already two to three days of lost time for you. The professionals you deal with should be patient and able to understand what your needs or concerns are. They also need to have a fast response time when it comes to communication.

The selection of a dealer who handles tire changer parts, exhaust system parts, and other equipment repair items doesn't sound important at first, but you will certainly notice the difference when you need them. Find one with these traits and you can minimize the impact breakdowns have on your business and save yourself a substantial amount of profit.

Findings on the Development of China's Auto Parts Industry

Held by a famous and professional e-commerce platform called Gasgoo, the activity about "the top 100 of the most competitive automotive part suppliers in 2010" conducted a comprehensive analysis on competition situation of China's auto parts industry. This activity was designed to reveal market development and changes in China's auto parts industry, and explore some suppliers who have long-term competitiveness in this relatively complex market.

The most important feature of this activity was that there was an extensive involvement of auto parts buyers. There was a total of more than 3,000 Chinese and foreign hosts as well as purchasing and technical experts involved in the selection. And more than three hundred procurement and technology executives became judges in the final phase. After a detailed investigation, the organizers summarized five major findings on the development of this industry.

Firstly, when compared to the vehicle, the technical level of China's auto parts is more close to the international advanced level. To some extent, it is due to the efforts and contributions made by the multinational auto parts companies in China. And compared with multinational automobile companies, they invest more in the research and development. They set up more than 100 technical centers, established specialized R & D teams, trained technical personnel, and developed the new technology according to the needs of automobile enterprises.

Secondly, in the latest five years, the overall development of China's domestic companies is faster than that of multinational enterprises in China. And those domestic auto parts companies have greater opportunities for development in the next five years. This situation is mainly resulted from the following three reasons. One is that the rapid development of China's local brands of vehicles plays a considerably leading role in the parts and components enterprises in China. The second is that the global sourcing in the international market has greatly improved the development of China's local parts enterprises in the first two years. The third one is that the international automobile companies start the localization development, and the purchasing system requires more efforts on the development of the local parts enterprises.

Thirdly, in next five years, this field will gradually accelerates the pace of integration. And enhancing the competitiveness is the crucial element for the survival and development of the component companies.

Fourthly, the Chinese government makes the greatest effort to promote the new energy vehicles at a worldwide level, in particular the development of electric vehicles. This measure will bring a lot of development opportunities to the automotive electrical and electronic parts industries.

Fifthly, a large number of traditional Chinese auto parts enterprises need to re-evoke the entrepreneurs' spirit.

The New Norm in Distribution For Auto Parts and Accessories in Ecommerce

The New Norm in Distribution

If you are in the Automotive Aftermarket, you know how the economy has affected the Industry. On a smaller scale trickling down, the way we are and will continue to be affected will be in product availability or lead times. More and more extended delivery dates and availability issues are affecting our bottom line. To help in reducing the reaction phase of this ongoing scenario, putting things in proper perspective will help us to move forward and ease the surrounding tension of our customers.

It is up to the retail end to maintain a level of customer confidence as all levels redeem their stance or adjust to new ways of doing business.

Many Manufacturers are dealing with an influx of materials from their suppliers or "Just-in-Time" scheduling with limited manpower, leaving them vulnerable to shortages, running with skeleton crews just trying to get the job done. This scenario also applies to the WD's that have to make do with much less, compiled with errors that come from spreading in-house functions too thin with un-trained personnel. A more recent trend on Importation limits is appearing as imports increase to meet the demand.

It is "chaotic" to say the least. Most Manufacturers have resigned to this and offer no excuses; they just do what they do best. Most W.D.'s are scrambling to keep their businesses going amidst the shortages and 1/3 (or less) of their required workforce. They see both sides and are stuck in the middle.

How this could affect your business:

To protect yourselves and your businesses, I would recommend increasing the time allowed for deliveries on each Brand you carry and make the customer aware or note it in your terms. Being aware of the problems that could be affecting you is half the battle. Remember that the Rep.'s you deal with may not have the time to return phone calls or respond immediately to emails or RFQ's, they may not dot the I's and cross the T's, just do it for them, protect yourself by protecting them and things will work out.

It will help to have an alternate plan in place and keep up with who stocks what, or replacement brands defined if needed. Most of the popular brands can be found at stocking warehouses, but they are also trimming down, so never assume. Even if an item is in stock, many are so short handed it may take a few days just to get it out.

Where do we go from here:

The worst is definitely not over, I have seen this before and it will take time to get better, it is usually the bottom rung on the ladder that finds relief last, but it also starts there by making adjustments to ease the blow and maintain customer confidence.

This article was initially written to a group of automotive niche site owners, but thought it may be useful to other Industries dealing with the effects of the economy.

Rust is Both an Automotive and Safety Danger to Your Vehicle

Rust is both a cosmetic and safety danger to your car. Your car can become structurally damaged and dangerous to drive if rust damages important structural and safety components of your car body. Dangerous fumes may seep into the passenger compartments of your car - not good for the health of yourself and your family. Once started rush can flourish and grow becoming very difficult and downright both prohibitive, time consuming and expensive to fix or repair. Your vehicle can and will become unsightly, be greatly reduced in value and difficult to seller trade in for a new vehicle.

What can be done to prevent rust from developing and growing on your car's metal body? First and foremost it comes down to routine and regular car and maintenance of your vehicle's exterior body and paint surface. Have your car washed and dried on a very regular and routine basis. Professional car washes with thorough cleaning of dust and debris in the undercarriage and under the fender areas are well worth the cost and efforts. Dust and debris in crevices, that well not being visible, is a major harbored or moisture can leads to the initiation and growth of rust on car metal bodies. If these hidden areas are clean and dry - there is no retained moisture to metal to start this rust process.

Once started the majority of the damage by rust is under the surface. What you see in rust damage appearing on say a fender is only the tip of the iceberg so to speak. Regular and routine washing and thorough drying of your car is the best effort you can do to prevent rust.

Next see if your car can not be garaged and kept out of the elements and rain. If possible purchase a car cover to keep moisture away from your car metal body - even if garaged. This way further rust causing moisture can be kept away from your car's metal body. A car cover may be of expense but it will be a lot less expensive than a new paint job and as well the cost of rust metal removal and replacement in a competent auto body repair shop.

Of course pay attention to any nicks or surface chips to your car's metal body.

It seems that certain areas are more prone than others. Pay particular attention to the areas around the doors. Do your best not to chip paint with your keys in the areas around the key locks on the drivers as well as passenger and rear doors. Next ensure that any drain holes in the drivers, passengers and rear doors - in the case of crossover and sport utility hatch back models are open m not covered and clear. Ditto this for the trunk area and its key lock. Next pay particular attention to the front areas of your vehicle. The front areas - grill etc are most prone to damaging stone chips from stones and gravel thrown that are thrown from other cars and trucks. Try staying an additional area back from vehicles when driving especially at highway and turnpike speeds.

It cannot be overstated that if you do spot the start of rust take care to have this dealt with professionally as soon as possible. While what you see of rust , is only the surface component and is only a small portion of the damage , nipped in the bud rust damage can be repaired much more simply, easier and less expensively than if left to grow, expand and fester.

In the end it's your vehicle to maintain. Prevention and care of rust on your vehicle is not only a matter of physical appearance but also of safety as well as retention of the value and reliability of your automotive vehicle product.

2,800 Jobs To Be Slashed As Auto Parts Maker Close Factories

The auto industry has witnessed the problems faced by the U.S.' Big Three and how such a situation has forced these companies to slash down jobs. The Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and the Chrysler Group have been implementing restructuring plans in a bid to upset the loss they have incurred the past couple of years or so. These companies' restructuring plans includes workforce reduction and the closing down of assembly plants as well as reducing working hours on some facilities. This occurrence has been a big blow to the state of Michigan where the three biggest American car manufacturers reside. More recently, a new blow to the state comes when auto parts maker ArvinMeritor Inc. announced that they have incurred substantial losses in the past fiscal year and therefore will be closing down 13 plants which will result to cutting down 2,800 jobs.

The company reported that the 13 plants that they are forced to shut down are located in North America and Europe. In Europe, the company will be closing down four plants while the remaining nine facilities that will be closed are located in North America. The company reported that this restructuring plan in the face of financial difficulties will be using up an estimated $325 million. So far, ArvinMeritor has only named one plant that it will close down in the near future. The company based in Troy, Michigan announced that their assembly plant located in Frankfurt, Germany will be closed down. Currently, the company has about 27,500 employees working on their more than 110 production facilities all over the world.

While the company will be cutting down jobs, they have also announced that they will be creating jobs on what the company calls "low-cost sites". This is done to reduce the money that the company will have to shell out for the wages of their employees. The auto parts manufacturer announced that they will be creating approximately 800 jobs in Mexico and in some countries in Eastern Europe. This strategy is being used by companies to take advantage of the growing globalization. With countries offering incentives and lower wages, companies are exploiting this situation to help them get back on their feet financially. The announcement came after the company announced that they have lost $94 million for the second quarter of the fiscal year. The said figure is a far cry from the $45 million profit that the company has gained for the same period last year.

Aside from closing down plants and workforce reduction, the company also announced that they will be freezing the company's pension plan for U.S. employees. The said measure will be effective by January 1st next year. The said step is expected to affect at approximately 3,800 American employees. Employees who expect to get additional benefits until June 30, 2011 will be affected adversely by the said step taken by the company. While the company will be freezing pension plans, they will increase their contributions to the savings plan of their workers. This step is a necessary one to appease workers who depends on the pension plans that the company will soon be putting on hold indefinitely.

With the auto industry facing a change in trend, it is expected that it will affect not only car companies but also other companies involved in the production of automotive components such as brake parts which can be found at Active Brakes Direct. With ArvinMeritor closing down plants and freezing pension plans for American workers, it would be a big blow to the American auto industry. But with a competent restructuring plan, the company is expected to get back to profitability as Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler are expected to do.

Discount Aftermarket Auto Parts Online - The Better Option

In many cases, people who are quite used to buying items and products from commercial complexes, traditional stores, and dealers strictly operating from brick-and-mortar shops will undoubtedly continue to buy from these establishments virtually all the time. They have gotten used to it, regardless of the circumstances of actually buying and getting the item or product itself. Since it is what they have gotten used to, most, if not all, inconveniences that arise in the process of buying from these stores do tend to get overlooked, since this is the only place where they can buy their needed items and parts. Had these people actually looked into and given some thought into buying auto parts online, then maybe their entire perspective on the matter would change overnight.

There are definite and concrete reasons why purchasing auto parts online is better than going all the way to the local car auto part dealer, and then discovering you went all the way for nothing, mainly because they had already run out of stocks of the auto part you needed. Here are just a few of those reasons:

Convenience of the internet - The internet is that it lets you purchase virtually anything, clothes, jewelry, food, basic supplies, even discount aftermarket auto parts online. Buying from an online auto part dealer is definitely far better than having to go to the junk shop or surplus shop and searching for the needed parts yourself. What could be better than actually being able to buy without having to leave the comfort of your home?

Get the most in the way of options - Buying auto parts online offers the buyer an unlimited number of options of online shops to buy the parts from. This eliminates the issue of distance. These online auto part distributors and dealers can readily be found in the directories available online, just use the keyword: auto parts online when doing your search.

Eliminate those pesky sales people - Persistent and nagging sales people are among the worst to be found in brick-and-mortar stores, trying to push their products right into your face just so you would buy from them just to get them to stop pestering you. Not being in the store means not being bugged by these people, which is a far better scenario offered by buying auto parts online.

Best deals and best prices - Online shops will also throw in several bonuses to whatever purchase you may be making from them, since this gives them an edge over the competition. Since the only thing that spreads faster than gossip are the testimonies of satisfied customers of good repute, potential buyers are sure to find numerous recommendations and positive reviews of the auto parts online stores everywhere, although it all boils down to whatever online dealer appears to be the most trustworthy of the lot.

The Challenges of Becoming a Do-It-Yourself Fixer - Replace Your Own Auto Parts

Our civilized societies are so completely dependent upon our automobiles. Whether you are driving a car, a truck, or a van, you really cannot afford to have a non-functioning vehicle. There is nothing worse than having your brakes go out or if you get a flat tire. But there is not much that you can do except to bite the bullet and get it fixed. This means you go to the auto parts store or to the mechanic.

Let's face it, when you need work done on your car or truck, it is never cheap. These high costs mostly go into the labor, since not everyone knows how to turn a wrench. Perhaps with a few instructions and the right auto parts, you too can save a little money by working on your own vehicle.

The thought of 'wrenching' on your own vehicle can be terrifying for those who have no prior experience or training of the delicateness of an automobile. However, this should not scare you off because these days there are a plethora of informational resources available to assist you in this type of endeavor.

No matter what type of vehicle that you personally own, there are instructive manuals available to assist even the most inexperienced mechanic in working on your own car. These impressively detailed guides were put together by professional mechanics that have completely dismantled the vehicle in question, and put back every single part. They basically document this process and provide you with a step-by-step instructional process to repeat what they were able to accomplish.

There is also a wealth of information about auto parts on the internet. You can find chat rooms that have trained mechanics and may give you some advice on whatever you are doing. You can also do cost comparisons to find and even order the cheapest parts online.

By taking advantage of these options you can tackle jobs that are easy or difficult. Perhaps you just want to learn about simple tasks like the changing of belts, oil, filters, spark plugs, or the battery. They can also assist you in more difficult procedures like changing the brake pads, starter, or the fuel filter. You should also learn a little bit about how much money you should expect to pay for a good and reliable part.

With the assistance that you can glean from these manuals and other online resources, you can become efficient in changing automotive parts all on your own. However you should always seek the help of a professional for complicated issues or things that you are not comfortable with.

How To Save Big Money On Repairs And Auto Parts

We all know it is cheaper to fix things yourself. It is the same with a car or truck. The biggest expense with any repair is not the parts, but the labor. It is not uncommon for repair and service shops to be charging $60 to $70 per hour of labor. And they round to the next half hour or hour for any repair. Just go to any new car dealer and ask to have your windshield wiper blades replaced. They will charge you 10 times the price of replacements at your local auto parts store. So anything you can do yourself to save will be a big help. The purpose of this article is to show you some things you can do on your own and how to get the lowest prices on parts so you can save big and put your money towards something better than fattening your local auto dealers pockets.

First off is routine maintenance. Routine maintenance consists of items like oil changes, tire rotations, and similar. Oil changes are a must at every 4000 to 5000 miles for most every car. Do not go by what your dealer says. They want to rev up your maintenance plan and have you doing more than is required. Instead, use your owners manual. If your car didn't come with one, than buy one off of Ebay. The owners manual will give you exact recommendations for every service and when and what should be done. For oil changes use Walmart. They charge around $15 for a oil and filter change and will lube your chassis at the same time. They will also check your tires and change your air filter if you desire or need it. They have the best service for the lowest price and at $15 its better to have them do it than do it yourself. Expect to pay twice this at a new car dealer.

It is also a good idea to check your tire pressure at every gas fill up. A tire pressure gauge can be purchased at Walmart or any auto parts store for a few dollars. Proper tire pressure will prolong the usefulness of your tires and help ensure better fuel economy. To most people a under inflated tire is pretty obvious, but a over inflated tire can be just as dangerous as it can lead to blowouts and loss of traction especially in wet conditions (hydroplaning). Also, check your tires for nails, punctures, slashes, anything that could be wrong with it. If you need new tires, be sure to shop around and avoid the new car dealer as they will have a huge markup on them. For instance, 1 ZR Goodyear tire for a 2002 Ford Mustang GT was $289. The same ZR tire with a different make (Kumho) was $100 installed and balanced (the $289 at the dealer did not include installation or balancing. Shop around and look at discount stores. Also look at Costco, Sams club and BJ's for tires. If you have an older car and don't care about matching the exact style you can always go to your local junk yard and buy an entire set for dirt cheap. You would be amavzed at what you might find there. A friend of mine picked up 4 tires for a 1999 corvette for $150 and the tires only had maybe 10,000 miles on them if that.

Lights and lighting on your car are an item that is routinely overlooked. If your lights are dim you could have a battery charge, alternator or dim, cloudy lenses. These are all easy to fix. A battery should be checked for its ability to hold charge at least once a year (more in extremely cold climates). An alternator can be replaced very easily, or if you don't feel comfortable a local mechanic can do it. Do not do this at a new car dealer as they will charge at least 300% more. A good tip is to go and buy the part at your local auto parts store and then inquire with the counter clerk as to a mechanic that they recommend to install it. You will save a lot and it will be professionally done. They will probably even come to your house to do it. As to your headlights, turn on your lights. If they are dim, is it the bulb or cloudy lenses? If it is the bulb, the cheapest replacements can be found at Walmart or on Ebay. It is recommended you go with brighter Xeon bulbs as they are only a few dollars more and increase brightness and night visibility by over 20 percent. If it is cloudy headlights there is a new headlight repair and restoration kit that will restore the lenses to new. This will save you big over replacement as the average plastic automotive lens costs $250 to replace.

Checking your fluid levels routinely is a good idea. A lot of cars now will do this for you and will even alert you to when it is time to perform a certain service. It takes 2 minutes to unscrew the oil cap and pull out the dipstick. On older cars you should also look under the cap. Is the oil really dirty, sludge like, or have white in it? These all indicate something needs to be done. The first two mean it is in dire need of an oil change. The latter with the whiteness or light chocolate look means you have a blown head gasket and coolant is leaking into the engine. That is really bad and requires major repairs and can be the result of running a car too hot. Fill all fluids to the fuel full line or indicator. By routinely checking your cars fluid levels you will be ahead of the game and keep your car running better and for much longer.

Another great idea to keep service costs to a minimum and save you big at the same time is to buy 1 to 3 year old used cars with around 30,000 miles on them. Then drive them until you get 100,000 miles on it and replace it. Most major repairs rarely occur before 100,000 miles with proper routine maintenance. Use and follow your owners manual. It was written by the ultimate expert, the people who built, designed and tested your car.