Am I getting the right kind of parts for my import vehicle? What's the difference between an import and a domestic vehicle? Actually, there's really no difference under the hood. A vehicle that's built to be used in the United States has to be built to certain specifications, no matter who makes it. As a result, all the major systems: cooling, fuel delivery, emissions, ignition, in other words, the engine management system, work exactly the same way, using virtually identical parts. Is my vehicle one of those "World Cars" people are talking about? It is, indeed. "World Car" was a term coined to describe a vehicle manufactured with parts from so many different sources that it becomes hard to attribute a nationality to it. Today, many parts for "Japanese or import" vehicles are manufactured in the United States, Indonesia, Mexico and many other countries. Parts for "American or domestic" vehicles come from just as many different countries, including Japan. Many "imports" aren't even assembled in their home countries, but are built from the tires up right here in the United States. Is it hard to maintain or repair my import vehicle? Today's vehicles with their advanced electronics – whether a Buick, Honda, Volvo or Kia – can't be tuned up "by ear," as many do-it-yourselfers used to do. A trained professional technician with the proper equipment needs to do more of the maintenance and repair on every vehicle these days, import and domestic alike. Professionals have also learned a way to make repairs on imports quickly and easily. Instead of using parts made by your vehicle's manufacturer - which are only available from a single source and may not always be in stock - they use parts made for your vehicle by other reputable, high quality parts manufacturers instead, like Standard. You'll find well-known brands like Standard are frequently used, because your service professional can get the precise part that's needed without waiting or having to make you wait. Don't I need special replacement parts for my import? As a matter of fact, you do and Standard has them! Today, many different manufacturers make parts specifically designed for use in your make and model of vehicle. Not all of them will give you the same level of performance and length of in-service life as Standard. There is a quality standard in the automotive industry called "original equipment or better." Sometimes it's called "OE or better." For maximum protection of your engine, long engine life and optimum performance, it's always better to use "OE or better parts" instead of bargain ones. That’s why installing Standard parts just makes good sense. This is true for domestic makes and models as well as for imports. How can some import parts be better than the original? Technological advances are constantly taking place in the automotive industry. New, stronger materials are brought into use. New manufacturing processes are developed. As a result, many leading parts manufacturers are able to introduce improvements in performance, life or cost to a part as time passes. Frequently, these improved parts aren't available from the vehicle manufacturer because the vehicle maker has to concentrate on developing improvements for next year's models, not last year's models. That’s where Standard comes in. Our engineers are constantly reviewing applications and the original equipment parts for design flaws, inconsistencies and potential service problems. We will redesign the original to correct OE design flaws and add improvements for greater performance and longer, trouble-free service life. How can I recognize an "OE or Better" part for my import? If it says Standard on the box, then you can be assured that you are installing the finest professional quality engine management parts on the market today. Back to Things You Should Know Visit our Resource Library for available downloads