Volkswagen Parts: Getting the Real Deal

by: Matthew C. Keegan

The growth of the counterfeits parts industry is causing problems for motorists, suppliers, manufacturers, and governments from around the world. Just how bad is the problem? For starters, the manufacturing and distribution of counterfeit car parts is a multi billion dollar per year business. Car owners from the Kia to the Camaro and from the Geo to the Golf, and every make and model in between are all susceptible to getting hooked with fake parts. This doesn?t have to happen and I am going to share with you how you can avoid being deceived by purveyors of bogus car parts.

Read the labels. Fake parts purveyors are getting very crafty in copying logos and other important information off of product boxes. Check for typographical errors or odd sounding language on the boxes. Most counterfeiters are smart when it comes to crime, but pretty dumb when it comes to understanding the proper use of English terms, grammar, and spelling. For example, brand names spelled wrong such as Monrow for Monroe. One more point: packaging may be ?correct? but sized wrong; be suspicious of any part sold to you in a package that isn?t sized according to the product it holds.

Check the part. If the texture of a part seems odd, it could be a fake. For example, that Hella headlight may not be what it appears to be especially if the element inside looks cheap or broken, or if too much plastic was used in the development of the casing.

Know your supplier. Purchasing your parts from a reliable supplier isn?t a 100% guarantee that the parts received are genuine. Still, if they back up what they sell with a guarantee you won?t get stuck should a counterfeit part get passed through them to and on to you.

Buy OEM or better. Only purchase parts that meet or exceed stringent original manufacturer requirements. Prices 70, 80, or 90% lower than retail rates should raise a warning flag. Stick with the name brands; there is a reason why products from Bosch, Covercraft, Denso, Flowmaster, Injen, K&N, and others sell so well: they are trusted names associated with well known brands. Avoid generic or no name brands.

If you think that you have been sold bogus parts, inform the local police as well as the parts supplier of the problem. If you buy from an overseas company, the chances of you receiving a refund from them are slim. When purchasing online only purchase through those retailers who have an established track record and are reachable through a toll free number. You may save money in the short run with bogus parts, but you will lose in the long run with Volkswagen or other parts that are defective or even dangerous.

About The Author

Matthew C. Keegan

Copyright 2005 -- Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for Auto Parts Canada: [http://www.autopartsonlinecanada.com], a wholesaler of fine Volkswagen parts and Volkswagen accessories: [http://www.autopartsonlinecanada.com/make/volkswagen.html] for your truck, van, SUV, or passenger car.

Saab Cars: Born From Jets

Saab Cars: Born From Jets

by: Matthew C. Keegan

The latest marketing campaign from Saab cars traces the automaker?s origins back to the days to when the company was formed from a Swedish aircraft maker. One ad mentions that 16 aircraft engineers designed the first cars, which were based heavily on aerodynamic aircraft design. Apparently, the ?born from jets? slogan is meant to convey to the public that the same quality that goes into building jets goes into building their cars. What isn?t mentioned is that the company that built its first automobiles in 1949 is now part of General Motors, the largest automaker in the world. The Saab jet division is separate, still owned by the Swedes. Are the ads misleading? Perhaps, or maybe Saab is attempting to distance itself from General Motors and to stand on its own four wheels. Let?s take a look at Saab then and at Saab now.

After observing several ads about Saab, I decided to conduct a little research...

Saab Cars: Born From Jets

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2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca: Ugly or Not?

by: Matthew C. Keegan

Okay, Subaru fans?listen up! Do you think that the all new B9 Tribeca is a beautiful vehicle or is it an ugly duckling? As for me, I have mixed feelings. This particular SUV certainly doesn?t look like any other Subaru, nor does it easily get confused with any other SUV on the market. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; let?s take a look at what sets the B9 Tribeca apart from the pack.

The first time I saw Subaru?s new entry up close I first thought it was Porsche?s Cayenne. No, the vehicles don?t look alike, but the B9 Tribeca evoked a similar response for me: like the Cayenne, it represents a major departure from all other models. For example, the B9 Tribeca offers the following:

5 or 7 passenger seating. This is the first Subaru built that will seat more than five adults.

Big prices: The B9?s base price starts at about $32K.

Side curtain airbags for front seating...

2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca: Ugly or Not?

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