So I'll chime in here becuase I too was tired of this discussion and decided to reach out to the Manufacturer directly. Here was my first email to them:
From: Mike B
To:
[email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2012 7:29 AM
Subject: OEM parts compared to Aftermarket parts
Hello,
I’m hoping that someone can assist me in a question regarding the manufacturing of your parts. I’m part of several online auto enthusiast websites pertaining to Toyota 4x4 Trucks and SUVs. On these sites there have been many debates that state OEM Toyota suspension and steering parts (particularly Upper/Lower ball joints and Tie Rod Ends) are far superior to any aftermarket brands. (Such as Moog, Altrom, and Napa Premium parts). Toyota enthusiasts are very loyal to OEM parts due to the durability and longevity of the Toyota brand.
The big debate that keeps coming up is that people state that the Sankei 555 parts that are purchased at aftermarket auto stores are in fact NOT the same quality as the Sankei 555 OEM parts that are sold at dealerships. Many arguments state that Sankei 555 sells many parts under various other names (Altrom, Ultra-8) only to find that when the part is opened there is a 555 stamped on the product but that this product is less superior compared to a part sold to a manufacturer or an aftermarket parts store.
I’m really hoping someone from your company can clear up this debate once and for all. Are the Sankei 555 parts sold at parts stores different in quality or materials than those sold as OEM dealership parts? Or are there different grades of product ranging from “economy to premium” and if there are can you please state the differences in each?
Thanks
-Mike B
I first received a response from the contact for North America saying he was traveling and would get back to me, a few months went buy and I forgot about it and then followed up to which they responded this:
From:
[email protected] [mailto:
[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2013 11:41 AM
To: Mike Benincasa
Subject: Re: OEM parts compared to Aftermarket parts
Dear Mr. Mike Benincasa,
I thought I sent you a message below.
Sorry that I did not reply you.
1. Sankei is not an OEM supplier but has been supplying our suspension and steering parts to North American Aftermarket through our customers for more than 45years.
2.Our products are designed and manufactured with our own engineering and technical standards, which are “equal” or “exceeding” to OEM quality. In fact, we have a high reputation as a qualityproduct manufacturer and supplier.
3. Sankei does not have different grades of product, though in these days, some American parts manufacturers and distributors have so called the “Premium” and the “Economy” which is lower grade of product coming from low cost countries. Our Sankei products are supplied for the aftermarket as the “Premium” through our customers.
Best regards,
Taro Yamazaki
So from the manufacturer:
1. Sankei 555 is NOT and OEM Part.
2. Sankei 555 does not have different grades but they are BOXED differently by resellers.
I reached back out again for some further questions just to clarify if they are all made in the same facility/country etc but have not yet heard back. I think I"m going to send him the link to this site and let them see what's being said and maybe they can answer directly.
layball:
