We at Linn Auto Parts Unlimited Inc. have been working in the auto parts business for over 50 years, so it’s safe to say we know a thing or two about the industry. When searching for auto parts, some terms you’ll encounter over and over again are foreign and domestic. But what do these terms mean, and is one kind better than the other? In this article, we’ll do our best to answers these questions. We will focus on domestic auto parts and tell you some key things you’ll need to know about them.
What are domestic auto parts?
In the past, the term “domestic car” described a car built in the United States, by an American manufacturer such as Ford. (Obviously, people in other countries would call U.S. cars foreign and their cars domestic.) Today, however, things aren’t quite that simple, as even U.S.-based manufacturers frequently outsource some of their production to other places, and foreign car companies like Honda have manufacturing plants here in the States.
Many auto parts suppliers still use the term “domestic auto parts” to refer to parts designed for U.S.-manufactured car brands, but as we just explained, this distinction is becoming less useful.
What are the benefits of using domestic auto parts?
One of the main advantages of using domestic auto parts is that they’re easier to find—in other words, if your car breaks down, you’ll be able to get back on the road sooner. Using domestic parts is also a way to support the U.S. economy, and U.S.-made cars tend to be larger and stronger than foreign ones, which can help protect you on the road.