{"id":9047,"date":"2022-09-16T21:55:44","date_gmt":"2022-09-16T21:55:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=9047"},"modified":"2022-09-16T21:55:44","modified_gmt":"2022-09-16T21:55:44","slug":"oem-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/oem-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"OEM \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did the mechanic tell you he replaced all the parts on your car with \u2018OEM\u2019<\/em><\/strong> spares? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The acronym \u2018OEM\u2019<\/em> stands for<\/u> \u2018Original Equipment Manufacturer.\u2019<\/em> An OEM<\/em> provides genuine components<\/u> for finished products from other companies.<\/u> In the computer industry, an OEM refers to companies that purchase products and incorporate them into new products under their brand name.<\/u><\/p>\n

Traditionally, an OEM<\/u><\/em> focuses on B2B sales<\/u>, while VARs<\/u><\/em> target the public<\/u> or other end users for sales. In the auto industry, an OEM<\/em> part means an original spare from the manufacturer<\/u>. For instance, if you drive a Ford, you\u2019re using genuine Ford parts, not pirated spares from generic manufacturing brands.<\/p>\n

An OEM<\/em> is different from an ODM<\/em><\/u> (original design manufacturer<\/em>). ODMs<\/em> focus on customizing their own products for resale by clients.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cCan you call the car dealer for me and ask them if they stock the OEM carbon fiber rear wing for an E40 M3? I can\u2019t find one anywhere, and I\u2019ve been searching for days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMake sure you replace any worn components with OEM parts. I used pirate spares the other week, and it caused the entire system to meltdown.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI need the OEM part. The generic pirate spare won\u2019t work. It might cost you more cash, but at least you\u2019ll know we did a proper job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t afford OEM parts. They are too expensive. I find I get better value from pirate spares, and they provide the same performance as the original.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOEM parts are a scam. The dealers mark them up by up to 2,000%. It\u2019s cheaper to get a pirate spare. You\u2019ll save thousands on the costs of repairing and servicing your car.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe problem with buying a car direct from the dealer is that they service the vehicle with OEM parts. That\u2019s going to cost you a fortune. Rather by used and you\u2019ll save money.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need the OEM spare for this rig if we want it to perform properly. I\u2019ve ordered one from Taiwan, but it\u2019s going to take three weeks to get here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOEM spares are a rip-off. Why spend all that money when you can get a pirate spare that performs the same, at half the price?\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

The term \u2018OEM\u2019 has unknown origins. Language experts cannot pinpoint when it first entered the English lexicon or who coined the acronym. However, some experts believe the term originates from the 1940s and the expansion of the automobile industry.<\/p>\n

In the wake of the success of the \u2018Model T\u2019 by Ford Motor Company, car manufacturers started expanding across the globe. Along with direct car sales, spares and servicing were huge industries. By the 1950s, most vehicle manufacturers found themselves competing with \u2018pirate spare\u2019 manufacturers.<\/p>\n

As a result, the auto industry developed the term \u2018OEM\u2019 to describe original parts produced by the manufacturing company responsible for designing the equipment.<\/p>\n