We have OEM, Aftermarket.. then Tokunbo parts

Aftermarket

OEM

OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer is a term used when one company makes a part or subsystem that is used in another company's end product. OEM refers to the company that originally built a given product, which was then sold to other companies to re-brand and resell. Looking at the picture on the left, the spark plug is the Original part from Toyota Corps but looking closer, you will see that this part is manufactured by Denso for Toyota. In this case, Denso is actually the OEM and this part is made to a standard specification for Toyota. Then it is re-branded and resold by Toyota to its customers.

Aftermarkets on the other hand are replacement parts, accessories, and equipment for the care or enhancement of the original product, after its sale to the consumer. Now let's look again at the picture on the right. Its made by Denso still but this time open for sale to the all consumers. In the case of aftermarket parts, some of these part are made to the same standard as  the OEM parts, some have a lower standard, while others have been enhanced to perform better than the OEM parts based on problems encountered by the end users.

Tokunbo parts otherwise known as Second hand parts, are parts that have been removed from previously used cars, from accident cars, junk yards and so on. Some of these parts have been tested and proven to be functional  while other haven't. Why all ths fuss about parts? Unto our next post... See ya..