Where is this made?

[Rich]

I have a customer that would like to have ONLY parts made in the USA installed if possible. I am looking all over for information on a good "not made in China" brake rotor. Has any one ever figured out where we can see where parts are being made? The manufacturers don't seem to be proud enough to let us know.

I know I can go to Auto Value and look up a "WBI" wheel bearing and it shows:

TORQUE SPECS: TORQUE TO 180LBS - INCL WHEEL BEARING - EXC AWD - MADE IN THE USA - 4-WHEEL ABS - WHEEL BEARING & HUB ASSEMBLY

This part is actually made in Michigan.

[ricmorin]

Good luck. Try finding light bulbs or valve stems made in USA. It appears we make next to nothing anymore.

[Tim Martin]

Good luck. Try finding light bulbs or valve stems made in USA. It appears we make next to nothing anymore.

All in the name of global trading and marketing and the Americans are the ignorant victims.

[steven kiser]

The issue is American made or O.E.M.. I have had a few requests on these lines and although I would love to use only made in the USA parts it may not be the best fit for the vehicle. I have customers that come to me because I recycle all the oil, coolant, tires, metal, etc. I could use Silly Putty to fix their vehicle, give it back to them with three flats, smashed windshield and as long as I recycled everything it wouldn't phase them.
Many of my customers are thrilled I use OEM when possible and it's financially attainable. Personally I use Sonoco Fuel because it's 100% U.S. This also raises the issue of Toyota U.S.A. is this a Japanese car or a U.S. one. I've discovered that there are a few typically non U.S.A. products now being manufactured in this country due to trade agreements and government both state and federal involvement that is making it affordable for off shore companies to make their products here using American workers. One of the biggest factors is no union involvement but the companies stick to all government regulations for workers benefits. There is a huge Kawasaki factory in Missouri and I have a few relatives that either work or have worked there and they have had great experiences and no complaints of how they've been treated. The union approached the workers and once they did the Federal laws on workers/ unions kicked in. Basically the company couldn't threaten or make any moves to punish the workers. The workers were so happy with what they had they rejected the union in the minimum amount of time legally to have a vote. I'll not get into the union debate.
Another big issue is a somewhat known fact that if you look at labels for USA products make sure there is a period after every letter. USA doesn't necessarily mean United States Of America. U.S.A. usually means that. USA isn't. The periods make a huge difference. Some people want union made, some want U.S.A., some want O.E.M., all I want is to give my customer the best product for the best price and still make a buck. In my humble opinion the quality of American made usually wanes in comparison to the quality level off shore product. There are off shore stuff that's not worth the packaging it's in but the O.E.M. parts and the parts manufactured to be sold as top shelf usually surpass, I said usually, the same part made here. If you look carefully you'll see more and more off shore companies opening factories in this country, paying top wages, not having the sweat shop persona we see on T.V., and having happy workers. Again I ask, is this still considered non American made because it's stamped with an off shore associated stamp.
If it were a Ford, Chevrolet or G.M. I could promise original equipment from the dealer but where the manufacturer got it is out of my control. A point on Ford products is on some the show up as Motor Craft parts. Usually on older vehicles as a rule. Motor Craft is a Ford company but they don't follow the same guide lines as Ford. You may find parts manufactured in Canada or Mexico. Is this different than Japan or China? I don't know. I'll end with about 80% of the time O.E.M. means quality. There are exceptions like Ford truck or S.U.V. front end parts and G.M. truck or S.U.V. front bearings and rear backing plates. I'll end with I try to educate any of my customers that ask questions along these lines about the pros and cons etc.