OEM vs. Aftermarket Windshield Glass

What is OEM auto glass?

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) is the third-party suppliers who use the provider’s specifications to produce original equipment for them. OEM transaction relationship can be regarded as a kind of buying (brand owner) and selling (OEM) relationship.

Therefore, from the perspective of the buyer, it is the act of outsourcing production and providing it to the market in the form of its own product (branded under its own brand). From the perspective of the supplier, it means that the supplier produces the buyer’s products according to the requirements of the buyer, and the buyer is responsible for the sales.

OEM part of car means car manufacturers provide technology and design for OEM who produce these parts for them. OEM windshield glass is one of OEM part of car. Auto manufacturer would seek for an OEM who can specifically supply them with windshield on the assembly line. OEM would make more than vehicle manufacturer needs as replacement part.

What is aftermarket auto glass?

Aftermarket auto glass is also produced by the third-party suppliers, but they do not have any specification from car manufacturers and the glass is under their own brand names like any other aftermarket part.

Original Equipment Equivalent (OEE) is one of aftermarket auto glass. As there is only one third-party supplier can cooperate with car manufacturer to producing windshield, the other suppliers cannot make the exact same windscreen by copyright laws. The other manufacturers would choose to use the same raw and engineers to manufacture windshields but with some small difference from the OEM windscreen, from the perspective of the thickness and color. Also, OEE windscreen is cheaper than OEM windscreen, which becomes a popular choice from car owners.

There are also other kinds of aftermarket windscreen which is not equivalent to the OEM windscreen but are suitable for several types of cars. No matter which kinds of aftermarket windshield they are, they cannot 100% perfect fit the car. You may find there are some noises or leaking of rain when driving. It may also affect the collision warning of your car.

OEM or aftermarket windshield?

According to different auto glass manufacturing, OEM or aftermarket windshield is different from price, fitness, safety, etc. You can consider these factors to make decision on using original windshield or aftermarket windshield. OEM windscreen can exact fit your car but cost expensively, and some insurance companies may not include OEM windscreen. Aftermarket windshield may not perfectly fit, but they are more affordable and accessible than OEM glass.

If you would like to have OEM replacement or aftermarket replacement, you can come to us – Aussie Auto-Glass. We provide both OEM and aftermarket windshields. Apart from windshield replacements, we also provide windshield repair. The auto glass we provide are all of high quality, and the price are competitive.