Magneti Marelli has grown into a umbrella company for a variety of formerly independent European units, many of which have not been degraded post-acquisition. They are an OE supplier to many vehicle manufacturers.
MM's lighting division, Automotive Lighting (AL), is the former Bosch auto lighting manufacturing unit. AL headlamps are OE in our Tahoe. New AL E-codes for our Mercedes R129 were exactly identical to the Merc-branded Bosch originals, save for the star logo being molded over, at 1/3 the price. An AL headlight unit is just a re-named Bosch, and is exactly the same. This was later confirmed to me by Daniel Stern.
That being said, I would be surprised if they started importing oil filters here wholesale, which are maintenance parts. They probably will do what a lot of broad-catalog European vendors do, and have a domestic manufacturer make them here and slap their name on them. Probably will be Puros or Champs. That, or rely on Purolator's European unit, just like VAG often does.
Just one more step in the Italianization of Chrysler. But I think Mopar will endure for us Americans.
MM's lighting division, Automotive Lighting (AL), is the former Bosch auto lighting manufacturing unit. AL headlamps are OE in our Tahoe. New AL E-codes for our Mercedes R129 were exactly identical to the Merc-branded Bosch originals, save for the star logo being molded over, at 1/3 the price. An AL headlight unit is just a re-named Bosch, and is exactly the same. This was later confirmed to me by Daniel Stern.
That being said, I would be surprised if they started importing oil filters here wholesale, which are maintenance parts. They probably will do what a lot of broad-catalog European vendors do, and have a domestic manufacturer make them here and slap their name on them. Probably will be Puros or Champs. That, or rely on Purolator's European unit, just like VAG often does.
Just one more step in the Italianization of Chrysler. But I think Mopar will endure for us Americans.
