XC60 wipers OEM or aftermarket?

[marsdalebear]

Originally Posted by Rex65

I was STA for a local large OE for 20 years and the last 20 as Global Quality Director for a major Tier 1 supplier into Volvo, Ford, Porsche, BMW, VW/Audi, Skoda, Fiat and Daimler/Chrysler.
If you know the area you can guess where I've worked

I guess in the Bedrock area.

[Rex65]

Close enough

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Rex65

Loving this technical discussion as I do actually work for a Tier 1 supplier into Volvo.
I know who is correct but I'm not getting involved (yet) as I'm enjoying the debate

.....and my wife is a Director in the 3rd largest global OEM manufacturer of automotive parts so I know who is correct also :-)

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by marsdalebear

Are you seriously suggesting that Volvo will develop a friction material and then tell a friction material supplier that they must use that mix? Do you not think that the friction material supplier knows a lot more about their product than Volvo? It is after all their business.
My experience of automotive brands including but not limited to Volvo is that they will issue a performance spec and drawings to several approved suppliers who will then design and offer a product to meet the spec and drawing. The product is then tested and those that meet the requirements will provide pricing and the battle with the buying department starts. Usually the best value wins the deal. Tooling is either amortised or subject to a separate purchase order.

That is how it works

Now, you have for the sake of argument, 2 suppliers deemed suitable and bidding. Supplier A wins on value which leaves supplier B with costs that he cannot recover and for which he has made tooling that he has paid for. He is quite at liberty to sell that product under his own brand as suitable for X vehicle.
A far cry from wiper blades. It is ludicrous to suggest that Volvo would design a wiper blade and tell Bosch etc to make it like that. It is stretching credulity far too far. They would ask for a blade with a performance and dimension to suit their requirements and be smart enough to let the experts do the rest.
Unless of course you believe that Volvo are the experts for every component that they use?
That is my last word on the subject as any suggestion that Volvo are not unique seems to stir up a hornets nest.

Well it's not my last word :-)

Yes I am suggesting that Volvo (with the help of partners and experts in the field) will develop their own unique formulations of certain parts - including friction materials. Just as they develop their own software for Haldex AWD systems and AISIN gearboxes.

They also still make some of their own parts - including some brake discs (Mk1 XC90) they own a foundry in Sweden which is shared with Volvo Truck & Bus. There is no aftermarket/"OEM" brake disc that matches the quality of the Volvo one for the XC90.

And with regard to your wiper blade suggestion - yes they do exactly that - they have Bosch make then to their spec and you cannot buy them any other way than through Volvo. They bear both the Bosch and Volvo logo's. You won't get those from Euro Car Parts or Halfords.

[AndyJudge]

Who'd have thought a discussion about wiper blades could got into that much detail.

I only have real world experience to make my suggestions & that's since having various Volvo's in the family since 1995 the wipers purchased from the dealership last a lot longer than anything else I've tried. Yes I've tried all differing brands from all types of source.

Now don't lets get started about the longevity of Volvo branded headlamp bulbs

[HDAV]

Originally Posted by Rex65

the last 20 as Global Quality Director for a major Tier 1 supplier into Volvo, Ford, Porsche, BMW, VW/Audi, Skoda, Fiat and Daimler/Chrysler.
If you know the area you can guess where I've worked

And you choose Volvo....... my old man used to work in/for a supplier many years ago and occasionally had to go in early/late/weekends and deliver into production lines to meet just in time quotas.......(worked in quality/testing dept)

Well I never expected such debate... I did 410 miles today with Volvo wipers on the screen and Bosch ones in the boot......

Was more bothered by the “engine performance decreased” message that popped up momentarily on the dash on the way home......:confuse d_smile:

[Rex65]

Originally Posted by HDAV

And you choose Volvo.......

I change every 4 years and have had models from all my customers over the years. Volvo was my latest choice which is coming to an end in January, when I'll be going back to a Jaguar.

[HDAV]

So if anyone cares...I fitted the bosch blades and they are doing a much better job than the 2 year old Volvo ones which I have kept in the Bosch box for the next dealer visit. Need to book that in ... but for £20 vs hours of peering through greasy smears I’ll live with it.....