NOS parts

[Larry S.]

What is the rhyme and reason for the quantity of replacement parts produced by a car manufacturer? I understand that now manufacturers are required by law or regulation to provide relacements parts for ten years for any particular car; I don't think that was the case 40 years ago (I have a '67).

Is it just supply and demand? I once heard that Ford would keep making a part available so long as it sold 100 of that part a year. It seems that at any given time you can find a NOS automatic shifter console plate on e-Bay, which is always Saddle Tan because that's the only color this replacement part came in, according to the seller.

There's also always NOS PCV valves, front and rear taillight housings, speedometers, tachometers, temp gauges, oil gauges, ammeter gauges, fuel gauges, and emergency brake handles (for a '67 anyway), and emblems available. This seems to me to be a tremendous number of parts produced, particularly for 'cosmetic' items, for a very low production figure automobile, that is now 41+ years old.

Since the 'bottom line' is always King, how does the car company justify making so many parts? I'm not complaining, just don't understand.

[Joe L.]

Re: NOS parts

What is the rhyme and reason for the quantity of replacement parts produced by a car manufacturer? I understand that now manufacturers are required by law or regulation to provide relacements parts for ten years for any particular car; I don't think that was the case 40 years ago (I have a '67).

Is it just supply and demand? I once heard that Ford would keep making a part available so long as it sold 100 of that part a year. It seems that at any given time you can find a NOS automatic shifter console plate on e-Bay, which is always Saddle Tan because that's the only color this replacement part came in, according to the seller.

There's also always NOS PCV valves, front and rear taillight housings, speedometers, tachometers, temp gauges, oil gauges, ammeter gauges, fuel gauges, and emergency brake handles (for a '67 anyway), and emblems available. This seems to me to be a tremendous number of parts produced, particularly for 'cosmetic' items, for a very low production figure automobile, that is now 41+ years old.

Since the 'bottom line' is always King, how does the car company justify making so many parts? I'm not complaining, just don't understand.

Larry-----


As far as the law is concerned, automakers are required to have CERTAIN parts available for, I believe 7 years. Whatever the actual period, be it 7 years, 10 years, or some other number, it dos not apply to ALL parts on the car. It applies just to parts which, basically, are required to keep the car running. Trim and interior parts, among many others, are NOT included.

As far as how long a manufacturer keeps parts avilable, there is no hard-and-fast rule. In some cases, particularly for interior trim pieces, there may be only 1 production run which ends at or near the time the part is no longer used in PRODUCTION. Whatever SERVICE pieces from this run are ordered into GMSPO inventory are IT---when they're gone, they're gone.

With other pieces, there are lots of reasons that a part might last a long time and reasons why it might last a short time. If it's used for a lot of applications, it may last a long time in SERVICE. If it's used for a small number of applications, it's life may be short after it goes out of PRODUCTION use.

Very often, parts are manufactured on a continuous basis long after they go out of PRODUCTION use, even if sales volumes are low. It mostly depends upon the serviceability of the tooling and the agreement of the manufacturer to keep making it at a price GMSPO considers acceptable. If tooling wears out after the part is no longer used in PRODUCTION, that's usually the end of the part unless it's a REALLY hot selling item. In the latter case, GM may decide to repair or refurbish the tooling.

[John D.]

Re: NOS parts

larry,Joe,
Supply and demand is definitely the key going forward with GM part availability. Most dealers are now on an inventory managememt system from GM known as "RIM". The dealer agrees to stock the parts the system determines they need based on sales history etc. The system automatically orders parts when the count in the parts dept goes below the set number. GM agrees to take back and credit the dealer for any parts that do not sell after a set time period. Each month the dealer gets a list of parts to either send back to the warehouse or scrap in place for full credit. I'm not sure how GM restoration parts fit in with the system though.

[Chuck S.]

Re: NOS parts

...I'm not sure how GM restoration parts fit in with the system though.

I would be very surprised to learn there is ANY connection between GMSPO system and GM Restoration Parts...with the possible exception of any restoration parts available through GM dealers. Even in that case, GM dealers may be supplied with some kind of separate catalog(s), and have to order directly from the manufacturer.

I doubt the "relationship" to manufacturers and resellers of GM Restoration Parts goes any deeper than the legal and accounts receivable departments, but that's just a hunch. Any dealer parts guys here?

[Jean C.]

Re: NOS parts

I was surprised that when the over-the-door sliding seat belt mechanisim in my Mother-in-Laws late model T-bird packed it in, a Ford dealer parts dept. was not able to supply the parts necessary for the repair. At the time I though that mandated safety items such as seat belts and associated parts would be a required stock item. Not so. I don't recall how old the car was but it was an early '90's model and the parts were not available in '00.

[Mike M.]

Re: NOS parts

Larry,
the 10 year rule is not new, it dates back at least to the Model A days.
That is when the term "NOS" began.
NOS was the acronym for "New ORIGINAL Stock".
The manufacturers simply extended original production of those parts to anticipate a 10 year supply.
The term has been so mis-used to now include absolutely anything that looks new, comes in a Manufaturers box, has a label, a part number or appears on the internet.
By the time the C-2's came along (perhaps earlier), many of the parts were never production continuation pieces, but, were modified service parts to accomodate multiple applications as Joe and the guys have alluded to many times.
H.a.N.D.