Visteon Corporation executives shared details about the company’s growing portfolio of OE-quality replacement parts solutions at a recent product/testing briefing attended by trade press editors at Visteon Village in Van Buren Twp., MI. Their discussion also detailed a variety of engineering and marketing achievements in the underhood, climate control and mobile electronics categories.
Greg Gyllstrom, Visteon vice president and general manager of North American aftermarket operations, explained that the company is strengthening its position in the North American aftermarket by leveraging its extensive OE portfolio and expertise, and establishing its brands as trusted repair solutions.
“There’s a tremendous opportunity for aftermarket shops to position themselves as the convenient, trusted source of OE-quality replacement technologies and skilled diagnostic and repair services for today’s vehicles,” said Gyllstrom. "Visteon is committed to helping them capture this competitive position through best-in-class products for all makes and models."
There is a need in the marketplace for OE-quality components that help deliver proper vehicle performance and strong customer loyalty, continued Gyllstrom, because of vehicle/system complexity and the fact that there is no second chance for installers to get the job done right.
"The increased sophistication of late-model passenger vehicles is obvious to service professionals and long-time customers," added Gyllstrom. "By relying on OE-quality replacement parts from Visteon, established shops can protect and enhance customer relationships. These customer relationships are enhanced by eliminating potential quality comebacks associated with parts that weren’t engineered or built to the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications."
Mark Boyle, Visteon marketing director, reiterated the market’s need for OE-quality replacement components. "Increasing system sophistication is driving the demand for OE quality," Boyle explained. "That’s real OE, not OE-style," he continued. Vehicle owner perceptions have also fueled the use of OE replacement parts. "Consumers ‘know’ their vehicles are complex," said Boyle. "And, import vehicle owners are more likely to believe their vehicles require specialized care."
Visteon has the right technologies for each model, continued Boyle, as he highlighted the technological advancements of the company’s radiators, condensers, compressors, starters, alternators and coil-on-plug ignition coils. From a service provider perspective, he continued, OE-quality replacement parts translate into several positive factors:
– Increased bay productivity because of the parts’ proper fit, form and function;
– Enhanced margins;
– Elimination of comebacks; and
– More satisfied customers.
The Visteon aftermarket product line includes OE-quality climate control (radiators, condensers and air conditioning products), rotating electrical (starters and alternators) and other components. The company also offers a broad line of advanced mobile electronics (in-car entertainment and communication) products.