MAMEWorld Forums - The Loony Bin - Re: Riddle me this, automotive dudes.

> One is made in USA and one is made in China?
>
> Rock Auto has these available...
>
> STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS Part # ALS1331 Left Front $34.79
> STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS Part # ALS1333 Right Front $35.79
>
> DORMAN Part # 970004 Front Right; 4WD $44.79
> DORMAN Part # 970003 Front Left; 4WD $44.79
>
> AIRTEX / WELLS Part # 5S4665 Front Right $53.79
> AIRTEX / WELLS Part # 5S4664 Front Left $39.89
>
> RAYBESTOS Part # ABS530581 Front; Right $84.79
> RAYBESTOS Part # ABS530606 Front; Left $84.79
>
> If you order from them, use the code 62923765228219 or 4BE6AFF51B0E (or just Google
> RockAuto coupon code) for 5% off. Make sure you look up the parts for yourself and
> don't rely on the numbers that I found!

In addition to Red's note about the sourcing of the part on the aftermarket (Red's point still being very much valid) this sort of price delta is really, really common to most manufacturers, and you'll see the same sort of thing even on original parts sourced from the dealership.

I suspect some of the price differential we see on stuff like this are due mainly to cumulative error in sourcing, warehousing and cataloging. As an example:

1) Auto Manufacturer X sets up the outsourcing for its new model, the 1997 Fugly MKII, and contracts ItalCo to provide the ABS sensors.
2) Manufacturer X catalogs all of the vehicle's spare parts, and sets the wholesale/list pricing for same. The ItalCo sensors for the Fugly MKII list at $38.95 each.
3) In 2003, ItalCo is absorbed during a merger/aquisition, and the board decides to close the old company down. Existing inventory is sold off to customers, including Manufacturer X. Manufacturer X receives 20,221 left-handed sensors, and 14,963 right-hand sensors.
4) In 2007, Manufacturer X runs out of stock on ItalCo right-handed sensors, and must contract a new production run using a new vendor. The new run is done in 2007 dollars, and there are fresh tooling costs as ItalCo's production tools were sold for scrap in '03. List price for the new right-hand sensors is $101.63.

This sort of thing is really common.