I recently had to purchase an Oxygen Sensor for a 91 Volvo. This particular Volvo had a rare Bendix-Siemens Ignition System (most Volvos use Bosch systems). Not sure why that was. Anyway, Bosch told me they did not make an O2 sensor for this Volvo and warned not to get any aftermarket sensors. Bosch stressed that the aftermarket O2 Sensors would be problematic for a Volvo. Perhaps Bosch meant not to use a generic brand like Walker?

So, I called Volvo and they told they had the OEM sensor. Then a friend of mine who is an auto tech said I could use his Worlpac account and that the sensor would be the same one that Volvo sells but for about $40 cheaper. Worldpac told me the O2 Sensor was made by NGK. Worldpac also told me that I had to go to Volvo for the German made Bendix-Siemens Sensor. So I decided to get the Bendix-Siemens O2 Sensor form Volvo. But to my dismay, after I purchased the Volvo part, the box said the part was made in Japan. Of course, I was sure I had just been duped by Volvo, and just paid $40 more for the same NGK sensor. I will never trust Volvo again!!!

Well, I asked a Volvo enthusiast about why this happened? They said they believe that there are two levels of OEM: One OEM manufacturer for parts when the cars are fairly new, and another manufacturer for parts when the cars get older. They said that when the cars are made they will also make, for example 10,000 replacement CATS, but then when those parts run out and the cars get 10 years old, they switch Vendors and they might only buy 1,000 CATS but for a much lower cost.

Interestingly, I also needed some parts for a 94 Accord EX, and evidently Honda is not doing this too. Perhaps FORD is behind this but I kind of doubt it. I think FORD does do this also, along with GM, and probably other companies too.

Sincerely
Rob