Scion is a division of Toyota Motor Corporation. Intended solely for the North American market, Scion cars are models not previously sold in the U.S. The intended market is young and “hip.” The marketing hinges on Japanese youth culture, and is slanted toward exclusiveness and coolness by using so-called “viral” marketing techniques.

The cars, however, are just Toyotas. Toyota has invested a lot in tooling left-hand-drive versions of these cars. Intended to have a separate sales network, Scion is now an auxiliary brand at Toyota dealers. This is fortunate for Scion owners, because service is typical high-quality Toyota. Toyota dealers have mixed feelings. On the one hand, it brings in buyers who wouldn’t consider purchasing a Toyota. On the other hand, Toyota is popular with the American youth market and an additional line forces the dealers to pay for keeping more cars on their lot.

Scion models are simpler than the range of Toyota cars, and they are cheaper and easier to repair. To save on investment, Scion uses engines that are emissions-certified by Toyota. This means that parts and repairs are straightforward, and Toyota mechanics can do the work. Parts will mostly be bought at the dealer, because the cars haven’t been on sale long enough for the aftermarket or salvage industry to build up an inventory. Assuming that Scion survives the recession, parts supplies should increase with each passing year. Commonality of parts with Toyotas ensures that they will never be complete orphans.

Scions are offered with few options, so finding the correct part will not be a problem. Still, the VIN and under-hood engine code should accompany trips to the parts store or dealer. Being Toyota products, Scions should not be needing many repairs in the near future. The brand has only been sold in the U.S. since 2004, and only high-mileage cars will be needing more than routine service. It will be interesting to see how Scion’s foray into the world of unusual and entertaining cars turns out. It has certainly resulted in a more colorful stream of traffic on the streets.

Porsche is just another auto maker, or so some say. The truth is that Porsche uses processes and components that aren’t found on other cars. Even the Italian exotics lack the extreme precision found in Porsche’s products. This makes the parts issue a difficult one for mechanics and owners.

Mechanically, Porsche shares no parts or technology with any other maker. Parts can sometimes be swapped between different Porsche models, but not with other manufacturers. This has to do with the concept of excellence, a word frequently used with Porsche cars. The engineers at Porsche practice it religiously. They have designed and evolved the car and its philosophy for sixty years. The concept is simple: no part is included that doesn’t enhance the car’s performance. What owners call excellence is actually thoroughness, and closer to the practices of the aircraft industry than to the automotive world. This means there are no half-measures to be taken in the repair of these cars; dealer-sourced parts, or good used ones, are a must.

Porsche dealers are very good about carrying a complete supply of needed parts, and their network makes anything available within a day. These are complex cars, and have so much technology crammed under their sheet metal that a non-specialist mechanic is not going to be able to deal with it. An example is a good body shop that repaired a 911 rocker panel which had been squashed against a curb. They didn’t know that there is a large-diameter pipe behind the rocker panel that carries oil to the cooler, and it had been collapsed. A few miles down the road from the body shop the engine seized up, totally ruined because the owner had not taken it to a specialist.

So, when it comes to parts for a Porsche, the only source is Porsche or a reliable specialist salvage yard. The exception is high-performance parts, and we know that they are sold without warranty for a very good reason. Porsche ownership is not to be undertaken lightly or on the cheap, but it is hugely rewarding.

Plymouth was the bargain alternative to buying a Chrysler. Some say that was Dodge’s role, and today that is what it has become. But Chrysler couldn’t trust that their customers would go down the street to the Dodge dealer. There was too much danger that they would stop at a Chevrolet or Ford dealer on the way. So they had the Plymouth line, identical to the Dodge line, waiting on the lot with the high-dollar Chryslers.

Of course, now that Chrysler has been rationalized, there is no Plymouth. But there are millions of Plymouths plying the American highways, and they will all need repair. As expected, parts are very easy to find, both at the dealer and the local parts store. It’s still important to present the classic information when buying parts, though. Make, year, and model are usually all that is needed.

Plymouths, after years of co-production with Dodge, have fallen prey to the same problem as Chevys. Again, the buyers assume that “they’re all the same.” And, with Plymouth, they’ve an even chance of being right. Still, especially with engines, they are not all the same. In the early eighties they used three different four-cylinder engines. Many owners don’t have a clue and will just say “four cylinder” in answer to engine questions. Later mini-vans have three different six-cylinder engines, as well. For this reason it is important to have the VIN when shopping for parts. Every good counterman can read the VIN and determine which engine is under the hood.

Used parts for Plymouths, even some body parts, are frequently identical to those of Dodge. Here, though, one has to trust the salvage yard’s expertise. Given accurate information he can find the part from a Dodge that will do the job of a missing Plymouth part. It is never good for the parts shopper to assume that he knows more than the professional counterman. Salvage yards are full of used Plymouth parts, mostly because of their low intrinsic value, so it’s a good idea to consider any major repairs carefully before spending money on an old car.

Mercury is a division of Ford. It has gone through changes over the years, and its parent company has not always given it the best treatment. But it has been involved in some interesting marketing attempts, and has been the home of several entertaining cars. Ford has treated it as a mere adjunct to the high-profit Lincoln models, but even that has changed over the years.

Mercury was a brand of its own in the fifties. Although they used Ford engines, the cars were different in appearance, and they were aimed at a separate market. Ford’s failed attempt to expand their market share with the Edsel scared management to the extent that they reduced the Mercury division to the sale of rebadged Fords. Mercury dealerships have sometimes been given imported Fords to sell, usually European models. Ford felt that the Mercury franchise was too small to suffer from the failure of these attempts, and they may have been correct. Some cars on this list are the Pantera, German Capri, Merkur, and Australian Capri. These cars were considered odd by Americans, and none of them sold well.

Repairing a Mercury is exactly like repairing a Ford. While some of the trim and sheet metal is different from the equivalent Ford model, Ford dealers are happy to sell them. Parts are, therefore, easy to obtain. With the exception of Mercury-specific parts, and those of the foreign-made cars, parts are also widely and cheaply available at aftermarket parts stores and salvage yards. VIN numbers are important when parts are needed for the newest cars, but that’s always the case.

Interestingly enough, there is a sales trend applying to the Mercury products of the last half-dozen years that even Ford did not anticipate. Market research shows that Mercury cars and SUVs appeal more strongly to women than their Ford counterparts. Ford has begun to exploit this more openly, and has given Mercury some of the most stylish interiors in the business. This has not affected the parts business much, as women seldom do their own repairs.

Lincoln is the luxury division of Ford. It is traditionally teamed with Mercury in one dealership. Although Lincolns share basic structures and power plants with Ford, they are not always interchangeable. Buying parts for a Lincoln requires a little planning.

Engines in older Lincolns are generally identical to those found in their Ford counterparts. Since the advent of emissions regulations it has been too expensive for Ford to build special versions of any power plant just for Lincoln. Some of the latest models do allow Lincoln a few unique features, resulting in a bit more power, but they are still Ford engines. Transmissions are always shared, as most buyers do not care so long as the car goes when you tell it to.

Sheet metal and trim are completely different on Lincolns, but a number of components are shared beneath the surface. Crash parts for Lincolns are as easily obtained as those for Ford, and Ford dealers will not have any problem furnishing replacements when the Lincoln dealer is not convenient. Most electrical parts are shared between the brands, but Lincoln items are frequently furnished with different finishes or decoration. Depending on the item, one shouldn’t be afraid to give the Ford item a try when the price differential is great.

Undercar components unique to Lincoln are very few. Their exhaust systems frequently will incorporate additional resonators and other features designed to keep the noise level down. Isolators and bushings will sometimes be specified from softer materials for the same purpose. Brakes use materials selected for noise reduction, but very few mechanics will source brake parts at the dealer because of the large price difference. Usually the Lincoln dealer will be the only source for noise abating parts.

Used parts for the Lincoln are readily available, and are preferable to new parts in many instances. Body repair with good used sheet metal is always much cheaper and frequently gives a superior result. Salvage yard operators will know which items from Ford cars can be substituted successfully for Lincoln parts, so don’t hesitate to ask for them.

Land Rover has long set the standard among off road and utility vehicles worldwide. Since 1944, its name has continued to represent durability and reliability. The latest 2010 Land Rover LR2 and LR2 HSE Sport Utility features new trims, color options, and customization options like never before. While shopping for new vehicles, consumers will be pleasantly surpised by these options, which have yet to be disclosed to the general public.

The British-made Land Rover is legendary in its own right. Since 1944, its name has been synonymous with all-terrain maneuverability. As the vehicle of choice for British military squadrons, it must meet specific, stringent guidelines. These guidelines are not easily matched by other competitor makes or models. Likewise, Land Rover auto parts are few and far between, primarily because replacement parts are in less demand. Used or recycled parts are equally hard to find, since the vehicle is less likely to find itself in a used car or salvaged car lot.

Theall-new 2010 Land Rover is highly advanced in terms of all-weather and all-terrain driving capabilities. Modern technological features allows the vehicle to immediately adapt to various and ever-changing road conditions. From climbing mountains to racing along flat, continuous plains, from crossing frozen rivers to blazing through a scorching desert, the Land Rover is designed to conquer them all.

Replacement LandRover auto parts typically require factory direct orders. Few used or recycled parts are available on the market today. Consumers may also find replacement parts at LandRover dealerships or certified Land Rover repair shops.

While the Land Rover in and of itself is a mechanical masterpiece, some consumers prefer to customize their driving experience. Some of the most common after-market Land Rover auto parts include rims, seats, accessories, stereo systems, GPS navigation systems, and storage compartments. While some of these parts can be interchanged easily, others require simple tools and a bit of elbow grease.

This month, in a sign of the continued success of the Hyundai and Kia brands, South Korean auto parts maker Mando Corporation has announced that it will be going public in the second quarter of 2010. As a major supplier to Hyundai Motor Company (manufacturer of both the Kia and Hyundai brands), Mando’s increasing profitability and need for expansion is an indicator that the Hyundai brands are in very good health. Mando’s initial public offering is being managed by JP Morgan and Woori Investment Securities Co.

In related news, Kia Motors of America is releasing the 2011 Sorento, the first Kia to be manufactured in the USA. These vehicles are being produced at the Kia plant in West Point, Georgia. This model is assembled with Mando parts from North Korean as well as with American manufactured parts. Not surprisingly, Mando Corporation also has manufacturing facilities in the United States and supplies parts to the American Kia and Hyundai plants. With the expansion of Mando expected to increase the company’s global presence, expect to find that the demand for Mando’s OEM parts by Hyundai and Kia will continue to grow.

Don’t look for Kia auto parts made by Mando to shop up in the replacement parts market any time soon. While you are likely to find some of the company’s parts at service centers associate with Kia dealerships, the big box automotive parts stores carry replacement parts from a variety of manufacturers who cater specifically to the replacement parts market. In fact, you shouldn’t be surprised if the Kia auto parts you buy outside the dealership will likely to have been manufactured in China. So while we are encouraged by the growth at Mando (and thereby Kia) in the OEM automotive part industry, we still should look for a quality alternative manufacturer of Kia replacement parts that can be sourced outside of dealer channels at lower cost.

Anyone handling the repairs of their Jeep by themselves has many options when it comes to shopping for the right parts. Jeeps are famous for their rugged nature, but there are many that succumb to accidents or mechanical failures and end up in salvage yards. Those looking for the cheapest used Jeep auto parts may want to start their search there. Those looking for new Jeep parts have only a few choices: shop at local supply outlets or via the Internet.
The Internet is arguably the best choice for buying most new Jeep parts, both genuine and third party. Online vendors have limited financial commitments to costly storefronts and many economists have pondered just how long it will take e-tail to kill many sectors of retail. While it is unlikely that auto parts will ever be a 100% online shopping market, it seems that a paradigm shift is certainly underway and it will forever change the way people shop for auto parts. The Jeep brand vehicles are certainly no exception to this, and that should come as no big surprise as Jeep owners tend not only to be interested in the great outdoors, but also well-informed. After all, they did buy a Jeep.
Buying Jeep parts online is a very easy experience that makes shopping at the local auto-parts store seem complex by comparison. Simply visit the site, enter the model, year, and trim (if applicable) and an entire inventory of available part categories is shown to enable easier searching. This can be narrowed by menus showing the most popular Jeep parts for the most popular Jeep models based off of painstakingly gathered statistics. The result is that parts can be located quickly and efficiently with no technical expertise or computer knowledge required.
With the proper part or parts selected, all one has to do is enter contact data and the site will search the inventory of various providers and warehouses automatically to come up with all the best options. Only the best prices are shown, completely removing the need to comparison shop. Until someone thinks of a way to have psychics order parts before an accident, shopping online for quality Jeep parts is probably as good as it gets.

The Hummer remains one of the must have SUV s’ on the market. However, it also has one of the worst gas mileage ratings in the SUV line of vehicles with an average of 13 miles per gallon. There are some things Hummer owners can do to help increase their miles per gallon rating with little to no out of pocket expenses.

Weight
Removing heavy accessories on your vehicle such as the crossbars located on the top of the vehicle, spare tires, and any other exterior accessories that are unneeded can help increase the gas mileage on your vehicle. By doing this you can eliminate the force exerted against your vehicle.

Speed
Your Hummer will be more fuel efficient if you drive at a constant speed when possible and eliminate the stop and go driving that is associated with city driving. When you can, use highway driving. However, when you are city driving, allow yourself extra stopping time so that you can apply the brake at a slower rate.

Cold Air Intake
If possible, install a cold air intake on your vehicle. This not only improves the fuel efficiency of your vehicle, it also helps to improve the performance.

Timely Tune Up
As with any vehicle, replacing the air filter, spark plugs and spark plug wires regularly will not only improve your gas mileage, it will also help to preserve the life of your vehicle.

Limiting AC usage
If possible, do not use the air conditioning feature on your vehicle unless absolutely necessary. This features has a very bad impact on your vehicle’s gas mileage rating.

Gas to Diesel Conversion
This is a more costly approach to increasing your overall gas mileage in your Hummer. A gas to diesel conversion involves removing the gas burning engine and transmission that are factory installed on the Hummer models and replacing them with a Duramax diesel engine and Allison transmission. By doing this you will increase your overall gas mileage rating to 22 to 24 miles per gallon. Additional benefits include the increase of horsepower going from 325 in a gas engine to 650 in a diesel engine. The overall torque increases from 600 foot pounds to 800 to 900 foot pounds.

If done correctly, these few tips will save any Hummer owner a great deal of money. You may even think about buying a few new accessories for your vehicle with your savings.

Parts for Mercedes Benz cars can be frustrating. Forethought makes it less of a chore, though. Cost and availability are bugaboos for owners and mechanics, but they needn’t be. Knowing who to call and what to ask for are important.

Mechanics working on newer cars find that most of what they need is available only from the dealer. Nevertheless, there’s a large network of aftermarket parts purveyors. These suppliers have more “dealer only” parts than one would expect. How do we proceed? Start with the local parts store that one deals with. There are many Mercedes parts used in multiple models, sometimes spanning decades. If an aftermarket manufacturer has decided to sell them, the price is always lower at the local jobber. Sometimes these parts are made by the same folks that Mercedes themselves chose; Bosch is an example.

The next place to look is a specialty purveyor of German auto parts. Every major metropolitan area has one of these. They buy BMW, Audi, and Mercedes parts from aftermarket and O.E. sources in Europe, and ship them to the States in containers. They are usually located in low-rent warehouses, but this enables them to provide the cheapest service possible. This, combined with exploitation of the price differences between Europe and the U.S., enables them cut prices severely. And most of them deliver over a wide radius.

For high-tech and mechanical parts, this leaves the dealer. For body, interior, and chassis parts one should consider a salvage yard. Most yards that specialize in German cars are professionally run, and can provide the same service as any dealer. Used parts have the advantage of looking like the replaced parts, being the same age. This is advantageous when buying, say, a taillight.

And, when you go to the dealer, remember to bring the VIN number. For an older model, eighties or earlier, bring the chassis number and the engine number also. Bringing the old part is a good idea, when practical. Mercedes dealers have excellent parts departments, and can generally order any component that’s not in stock within 24 hours.