Posted on 03/03/2008 8:47:13 AM PST by BGHater
With automakers patenting more parts to enhance dealers' service and repair revenues, the knockoff business is taking a big hit.
The patenting of more run-of-the-mill auto part designs is roiling small body shops, many of which make their living by fixing cars with knockoffs of original equipment parts such as grilles, hoods, lights, mirrors, side panels and fenders. Such pieces are anywhere from 10% to 50% cheaper than the real McCoys, but increasingly, the law forbids their use.
Automakers have long sought patents on certain extra-stylish ornamentation to prevent other automakers from cribbing the design for their vehicles.
But the trickle of patent applications has become a torrent in recent years as automakers seek to boost their bottom lines by patenting more parts, thus bolstering their auto repair and parts replacement businesses. Ford, for example, has patented seven parts on its popular F-150 pickup truck, including lighted mirrors and the front grille. Honda has been the most aggressive, receiving about 110 design patents last year, followed by 75 for Ford and 60 for Toyota.
As the restrictions on replacement parts grow, it's a good bet that automakers will increase their share of the $16-billion parts replacement business in the U.S. Large independent repair shops that contract with car dealers or automakers and can get volume discounts on patented parts will also benefit.
However, small shops -- and consumers -- increasingly will get squeezed. Small collision repair businesses will have no choice but to pay full cost for the parts and pass along those higher prices to their customers. People paying for their own repairs out of pocket will feel the pain first.
Parts makers can't sidestep the patent protections, either, by making a hood or door panel that looks similar to the original. "The dilemma is that most states' laws dictate that repair shops use parts that look exactly the same as the original and be of the same quality and fit," says Eileen Sottile, executive director of the Quality Parts Coalition, a trade group.
Over time, the design patent avalanche is sure to dent business for small shops. Moreover, as overall repair costs rise, insurers will tag more banged-up vehicles as total losses, reducing repair work. Insurance companies also will increase auto insurance premiums to cover their added costs.
Look for the auto parts industry to step up a push to persuade Congress to pass a law letting independent parts manufacturers sell replacement parts to repair shops. Automakers would retain the right to sue competitors that copy a part design for their vehicles. The prospects for such legislation would increase with Democrats strengthening their hold on the House and the Senate, as we expect.
Every company is looking for any thing or way to nickle and dime us to death.
More and more, when you go to the Autozone, etc, “That’s a Dealer” part.” comes up. The days of old shade tree mechanics are nearly all gone...........
I have a 93' Dodge Dynasty LE that came with all whistles & bells.
That was the last "big Americana car".
Then the Germans took over & said "'Vat's a matter vit you, you can't be making good cars that last forever!"
I'll keep it forever just to be an example, besides it's big, it's comfy, and cheap to operate.
One more tool to keep the Chinese out of the business...
Oh you can still do it. It may take a few extra hours to get that darn black shroud over the hood off, though!
Turboencabulator prices are through the roof.
This will hit the consumer on insurance rates also because repair costs for them will be higher.
Locking up patents encourages planned obsolescence. Eventually it will be cheaper to buy a new car then fix it. Parts patents should open up after say 10 years without option for renewal. Heck even 20 years might be okay, I’ve got a 1984 Honda Accord that still shows no signs of stopping.
BUMP!
As I read this I keep thinking of Microsoft selling anti-virus programs.
I had a front headlightlens replaced with a knock off.
It fogs up and the focus is screwed up but I saved $40.oo!
The problem seems to be that some parts are dubious in the nature of the patent. It is like patenting the antena of a car and then when accidented the state law requires the IDENTICAL antena.
I can understand their frustration as chinese companies ignore patents and make black market identical parts.
I see a new market for “grey cars” that are using identical fitting parts are are not for that original car.
No kidding, try and obtain some GM error code definitions without going to a dealer, no deal.
it might just force more open customizing.
who made the law that precluded a customized grille on the front?
Insurance companies have been pushing for knockoff repair parts for years.
Um, no, the DieNasty wasn’t a “big” car. It was a frigging K-car variant!!!!!
No, the last big American car was the Caprice/Roadmaster/Fleetwood twins that GM killed off in the 90s, followed by the Ford Crown Vic/Grand Marquis/Town Car which is still with us.
Fortunately, before the Germans took over, Chrysler made the LH cars which were far better than the DieNasty - which can be proven through observation. Few DieNastys are driven on public roads, while there are still millions of Concordes and Intrepids running around.
This also could make junkyards more profitable.
I bought a small, handheld code reader from Sears that works on OBDII equipped cars from all mfrs. The codes are given on a software CD that comes with it. It allows you to clear the codes and the re-set the “Service Engine Soon” light, too. Even if you don’t have the device, Autozone will read (FREE!) the codes for you from their store owned device and give you a printout of what they mean......
ONE MUST SACRIFICE A SMALL FURRY ANIMAL BEFORE REMOVING THE SHROUD!.................
The cheap plastic rolling egg cartons that pass as cars these days are totaled if you back into the garage at one mile per hour anyway.
Crapaloy (Tungsten Cowhide) ain’t cheap.
Some codes...GM has a proprietary list they won’t share. I don’t remember which one stung me recently, but my regular mechanic had to take my Trailblazer to the dealer to obtain the definition. It is only going to get worse.
Neither is prefabulated amulite.
Their are certain websites that have the codes of all the manufacturers............
http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/chevrolet/index.php
On the plus side, no more idiot insurance companies using Chinese knockoff parts to repair your car and “forgetting” to tell you about it until something fails/goes wrong.
That's the other half of corpo~nazi formula....
Btw~ A Dynasty fully equipped is big & nice.
Also 15 years, 233,000 miles still the same alternater, waterpump, etc., etc., nice, very nice.
Sounds like poor installation more than a part problem.
Your DieNasty fits in the trunk of my Jag. It’s not big!
What year is your Trailblazer?
Fortunately, both the Indians and the Taiwanese make much better replacement/upgrade lights. Here's some samples of their work as installed on my cars:
87 Jaguar XJ6 Vanden Plas/TWR replica
90 Nissan Pathfinder (beater)
Somewhat subtle, but the clear-lensed (as opposed to fluted or patterned) headlights make a huge difference in light output. And they're properly sealed.
I thought he was talking about the lens specifically. I may have missed whether this was one of the integrated designs.
So when I say what I say I'm including that as a major factor.
On the other hand, since I’m in the middle of rebuilding/upgrading my 66 Impala, here are a few part costs:
Alternator/generator (GM knockoff) 39 bux
Starter (GM knockoff, 350 small block) 55 bux
A bit of a side benny is you can actually get yur hands in there to work on it...
Comes at a price. Whatever it costs when you get 13-15 mpg.
While you’re at it, don’t reuse the old GM-style starters, get a modern gear reduction unit. Your battery and engine will thank you.
In addition, if you fit the Impala with a TH700R4, your acceleration will benefit AND you’ll get up to 40% better fuel economy.
Those trannies got a bad rep because they got used in the Blazer and burned out alot.
The engine in the Blazer is way, way too small, so the tran does alot of shifting - UNLESS (and I learned this the hard way) you have the throttle cable set right.
(needs to be set so the tran won’t shift up unless the engine r’s are higher)
Actually, the post-87 (88-up) trans are all fixed and have an excellent rep now. You can get them built stronger than a 400, if you so desire.
I’m putting one in the Jag this year.
My Blazer’s an 84. Used to be a daily driver, but now I just keep it runnable and tuned if it snows, or I need to pull some fool out of a ditch, or need to haul lumber or something. Handy little truck, them Blazers!
Yeah, the 82-87 700R4 was pretty much a disaster. The 88-up ones are great, though!
I got 250,000 miles out of a Borg-Warner Model 66 transmission that was supposed to only last about 100,000. I’m pretty sure I know how to take care of cars.
Certainly better than someone who calls a DieNasty a “big” car. [laughter]
2006
Speakin’ of changin’ fluids, your mom still says I’m better.
Great! I haven’t seen the old hag since 1994, and nor do I ever want to again. You’re welcome to the psychotic episodes, the schitzophrenic behavior, and the moaning about how her life sucks.
Tell me, is she even trying to take her meds any more?
Now I just need someone to tell me how to fix the hot start problem on the old chevies.
Starter is too close to the headers, gets hot, doesn’t like to start after the engines warmed up good.
Dropped the starter out over the weekend and built a heat shield (DUAL LAYER! When yur good, yur good!) out of sheet metal aluminum, and reinstalled it.
It’s better, but still not super dependable.
What is it with mothers anyway, yikes, much more fun with old cars.
The little gear reduction starters plus a heatshield should solve the problem. The Japanese put the GRS right next to glowing hot turbos and they don’t have a hot start problem.
A GRS helped solve reluctant starts on my Jag’s big six as well.
This is really a great and amazing machine!
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