Who will make the Honda OEM filter now?
- Thread starter Finklejag
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- Aug 15, 2021
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PG acquired the Fram brand, so potentially they'll take over
I wish they'd use Siam/Full, or Purflux like they use for Europe
In my shop we stock only OE filters and buy the Honda ones from the local Honda dealer. Over the last 6 months to a year the filters have been flipping back and forth between the PLM-A02 fram made filter and the RTA-003 filter by Mahle Tennex. I would assume the RTA-003 will become the only filter
PG has the same chance as any other filter manufacturer.
I may know someone that works at a Honda engine plant and they may have told me that Mahle has always been a major supplier of their OEM filters. Everyone thinks they only use First Brand/Fram/Champ but it's not true.
Honda will either go with Mahle Tennex(Mahle Japan) or ask Roki to ramp up at Filtech in Ohio(the old 15400-PLM-A01) or source from their Indonesian plant.
PGI’s supplier(AFI and another one) likely have IATF16949 certification, which is required for OEM supply. If all goes well with GM, others will follow.
PGI’s supplier(AFI and another one) likely have IATF16949 certification, which is required for OEM supply. If all goes well with GM, others will follow.
I'll say IDK, but whoever it is very likely their efficiency will be in the same ballpark as current a A02. So, with the current aftermarket choices, whoever it is, for me unlikely to make a difference. I'd add, 'in my observation' the Fram made A02 was the most common filter sold by dealers.
That Filtech A01 was a good filter IMO. Was able to purchase a few before they went over to the A02. The weight difference was considerably better then the A02. Hope it comes back.
This will be relatively easy problem for Honda to resolve. They need assurances of the new supplier's capacity, that's about all they care about. The technology for oil filters is equally available to all, no biggie.
I remember being in in the reception area of Fram in Stratford Ontario in 1997 when I was asked by Fram to quote supply of tapping plates for their plant, in the waiting area were 4 Japanese men from Honda. The end result for me was Fram expected my company to sell our production capacity at a loss = we never bothered with them again. Fram in Stratford died later and my company grew to new heights.
I remember being in in the reception area of Fram in Stratford Ontario in 1997 when I was asked by Fram to quote supply of tapping plates for their plant, in the waiting area were 4 Japanese men from Honda. The end result for me was Fram expected my company to sell our production capacity at a loss = we never bothered with them again. Fram in Stratford died later and my company grew to new heights.
https://www.wfiwradio.com/2026/04/10/25-million-first-brands-sale-faces-last-minute-obstacle/A $25 million deal for First Brands Group to sell the intellectual property of Champion Labs and ten other auto parts brands to Premium Guard, Inc. (PGI) is now in jeopardy. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez has ruled that NOCO Co., based in Cleveland, must be allowed to submit an offer for at least one of First Brands’ core brands by the end of the week, after claiming it was unfairly excluded from bidding. This has temporarily halted the sale.
First Brands, under financial stress since filing for bankruptcy last September, has pushed for a quick, all-in sale to PGI, warning that splitting the portfolio could threaten the deal. Since the bankruptcy, more than 4,000 jobs have been lost and several plants, including Champion Labs—producer of FRAM and LuberFiner filters—have closed permanently. Other facilities for brands like Autolite, Trico, Anco, Strongarm, and MightyLift have also shut down.
The company faces enormous debt, reporting $5.9 billion in long-term obligations and just $1 billion in cash earlier this year, with analysts estimating up to $8 billion more in undisclosed secured debt. The decision on NOCO’s bid could determine the fate of both the sale and the future of First Brands’ remaining assets.
Good, I'm all for fairness
Ok so the new company who claims they were left out of the bidding, let them bid. Doesn't mean that First Brands has to accept a lower offer for those brands. Bidding usually means HIGHEST BIDDER WINS. Be interesting to see how this goes.
Side note.. Is this the same NOCO that everyone talks about their chargers dying quickly?
Denso === Toyota Boshoku. Someone is selling their filters on Amazon. Subaru(air filters), Mazda, Yamaha and Mitsubishi are using them as well.
