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What is the name of the law that requires car manufacturers ...

Sent to Car Experts June 28 10:25 AM

What is the name of the law that requires car manufacturers to continue making parts for a specific model/year car? I am looking for the name of the law and the length of time it requires.

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on June 28 2006 at 10:30 AM

 

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $9
Answer
June 28 10:42 AM (16 minutes and 56 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

Hello!

I have heard people ask this question before; there is no such law. Manufacturers are free to discontinue parts for their vehicles at any time they choose; there is no minimum time legislated by law for them to produce replacement parts.

Most manufacturers DO continue to manufacture replacement parts for years after a vehicle has been introduced though; as it is in their best interests to do so. Keeping customers happy and not gaining a reputation for producing unrepairable products is good advertising and encourages repeat business. They are under no legal requirement to do so though; that is a myth.

I hope this answers your question; if so, please click my accept button! Thanks!



Edited by Steve7654 on June 28 2006 at 10:43 AM
Steve7654 -- Auto Service Technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1739 Car Accepts
27 yrs ASE L1 Master Technician, Service manager
Reply
June 28 10:47 AM (4 minutes and 59 seconds later)
         
Reply to Steve7654's Post: Do you know how long Mercedes keeps making a part for a specific car? Do they have an internal rule of thumb?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
June 28 10:54 AM (7 minutes and 5 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

There really does not seem to be any specific rule that manufacturers follow; it seems to vary greatly according to how much demand there is for a particular component. The manufacturers make good profits from selling replacement parts; as long as tehy sell enough of a particular component to justify manufacturing and warehousing it, it will likely still be available.

Even after a part has been discontinued, there are usually a lot of that particular part number in the warehousing and dealer inventory system that are available for purchase.

I've never had much of a problem purchasing anything I needed for a Mercedes from the dealer even for 10 year old models. Most vehicles are designed for a 7 to 10 year life expectancy; anything older than that is where you usually start to run into parts availability issues (on any make of vehicle).

Steve7654 -- Auto Service Technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1739 Car Accepts
27 yrs ASE L1 Master Technician, Service manager
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