Auto parts from India are sold in two broad channels: original-equipment supply to vehicle makers, and the aftermarket for repair and replacement. Decide which you are buying, because the quality system, the labelling and the legal position differ.
Sanand near Ahmedabad hosts a vehicle-assembly cluster, and component firms in Gujarat and other states supply castings, forgings, machined parts, rubber, wiring and filters.
Which parts are made where?
Auto components in Gujarat lists the product groups. Rajkot and Ahmedabad supply castings and machined parts, while other states are strong in electronics, gears and engine parts.
No single city makes everything, so an importer of mixed parts often buys from several firms and consolidates.
OEM or aftermarket?
OEM versus aftermarket parts explains the difference. An aftermarket part is made to fit a vehicle but is not sold under the vehicle maker's brand. You may not put the vehicle maker's brand or part number on such a part without permission from its owner.
Check trademark and design rules in your own country with an adviser before you order, because the importer carries that responsibility on arrival.
What quality paperwork matters?
Auto buyers should ask for these documents:
- An IATF 16949 certificate if you supply to vehicle makers, checked with the issuing certification body. See what IATF 16949 means.
- The control plan, material certificates and a dimensional report for the first parts.
- A PPAP or first-article package where your customer asks for it.
- Batch or lot marking so a faulty part can be traced.
What are the common problems?
Mixed quality inside one lot, wrong packaging, missing labels and parts that fit a sample but not a different model year are the usual issues. A written part list with drawings and a fitment check on a real vehicle avoid most of them.
Duties and tariffs on auto parts change and vary by country, so confirm them with your customs broker for your tariff code. Cost depends on material, process, tooling, volume and packing, and a quote needs a drawing or sample.
How do you manage mixed lots and labelling?
Auto parts are often bought as many part numbers in small quantities. Insist on a clear part list, a labelling rule and a packing plan so that each carton shows the part number, quantity and batch.
Labelling and barcoding for auto parts explains the practice, and the minimum order for auto and industrial parts shows how volumes are usually set. Before loading, check a sample of cartons against the order.
Where parts carry a safety function, such as brakes, steering and suspension, check what approval your market requires. That is a legal question for your regulator or an adviser.
Keep samples of each part number and photograph them against the drawing. When a customer complains months later, a retained sample and a dated record are the fastest way to find out whether the fault was in the supply or in the fitting. Pay particular attention to coatings and rubber parts, which age differently in storage.
Next step
We find and audit component makers, check samples and documents, have lots tested, and supervise production and loading. Book a free sourcing review with your part list and we will say what is realistic.