While on vacation with the wife, the alternator in our 3 year old Subaru Outback died. I had no tools with me. I took the car to a Subaru dealership and the next day a Genuine Subaru alternator was installed. Back on the road and 50 miles later, the brand new Genuine Subaru alternator died. Back I go to the dealership and barely make it before closing time. The service manager said it would take a week to get another new Genuine Subaru alternator then he asked if I would settle for a NAPA rebuilt alternator that he could install the next day (well, doh!). By the time my car was fixed, vacation was over.
From what little I know, it is that parts, especially new cars and trucks, are made world wide. The difference in what you receive may be "Quality Control". You have to pay extra to have automotive part knowledgeable people inspect and monitor the output process from Asian manufacturing (sweat shops). In other words, catch the bad stuff before it gets shipped.
ACDelco has or had a class action lawsuit filed against them because they got caught. An outside box/package said "Made in America" but the product inside said "Made in China". Don't put your faith in trademark logos or names.
Back on the farm, if the alternators you buy from your FLAPS dies under warranty, take it back for replacement or credit. I guarantee you if everyone did this, the loss of profit for the FLAPS and manufacturers would help them try harder to get it right.
