The auto parts market is in full swing: the rise of pure web players, who sell better and cheaper, is overshadowing manufacturers.
In this era of financial scarcity which affects most households, the car spare parts sector is not spared. For lack of budget, motorists postpone certain interventions or, if they have no choice, resort to system D and meet their need for auto parts by their own means, bypassing traditional physical actors. Consequently, the challenges of the auto parts market are evolving.
The car piece by piece
It should be noted, however, that the state of the automotive parts market remains on the surface. It does this using the following two levers:
• more complex services that drive prices up: the development of increasingly efficient on-board technologies, the need for a better qualified workforce, the increasing complexity of repairs;
• Prices of spare parts steadily increasing, particularly with regard to visible parts subject to the manufacturers’ monopoly.
This may explain, on the one hand, this maintenance of the traditional market, and on the other hand, the rise of pure players who are gradually taking the place of official garage owners by positioning themselves on the Internet.
AUTOMOTIVE TRANSPORT AND MECHANICAL PARTS
Automobile: road vehicle which moves alone with the help of an engine and used for the transport of persons.
Safe: place to store luggage.
Rear light: rear light.
Rear fender: rear side part of the body covering the wheels.
Quarter glass: embedded window located opposite the rear wheel.
Roof pillar: vertical element which supports the car cover.
Glass: embedded glass.
Door handle: part of the door that can be grasped in order to open it.
Door: opening allowing entry into the passenger compartment.
Outside mirror: external mirror allowing to see behind.
Door jambs: vertical elements which serve as frames for the windows.
Wheel cover: piece of metal covering the hubs.
Wheel: round object that rotates around a central axis allowing the car to move forward.
Front fender: front side part of the body covering the wheels.
Shield: mobile device that protects against blows.
Flashing: amber light indicating the change of direction of the car.
License plate: metal part bearing a number and identifying the automobile.
Bumper: device located at the front and rear of the vehicle protecting the bodywork from minor impacts.
Headlight: front light of the car.
Grille: plastic or metal ornament located in front of the radiator.
Hood: opening cover of the bodywork, located at the front of the vehicle, above the engine.
Wiper: mobile rubber device used to wipe the front and rear windows of a car.
Outside mirror: external mirror allowing to see behind.
Windshield: front window of the car.
Sunroof: movable part partially opening the roof of a car.
Roof: upper part of a car covering the passenger compartment.
Anatomy of an automobile: road vehicle that moves alone using an engine and used to transport people.
Safe: place to store luggage.
Rear red light: rear light indicating that a car has slowed down or stopped.
Spare wheel: wheel which can replace a damaged car wheel.
Wheel: round object that rotates around a central axis allowing the car to move forward.
Transmission: automotive device that transmits mechanical power from the engine to the wheels.
Silent: device used to reduce engine noise.
Transmission shaft: axis on which mechanical power is transmitted to the wheels.
Side strip: decorative molding located on the side of the car.
Disc brake: mechanism slowing down and stopping the car by pressing a disc stuck on the wheel axle.
Oil filter: device in which the oil passes to rid it of impurities.
Alternator: generator giving current in one direction and in the other.
Radiator: device used to cool the engine.
Igniter: box used to ignite the engine.
Battery: device generating electric current.
Air filter: device in which the air passes to rid it of impurities.
Windscreen washer: liquid used to clean the windows.
Steering wheel: device used to drive a car, using a wheelhouse and a gear system.
Wiper: mobile rubber device used to wipe the front and rear windows of a car.
Seat: a kind of chair located in the passenger compartment on which you can sit.
Bezel frame: border around the glass.
Interior mirror: internal mirror allowing to see behind.
Automobile (view from below): road vehicle that travels alone with the help of an engine and is used to transport people.
Radiator: device used to cool the engine.
Power steering: mechanism automatically ensuring, by amplification, the movements given to the steering.
Transmission shaft: axis on which mechanical power is transmitted to the wheels.
Exhaust system: network of conduits through which the burnt gases are evacuated.
Differential: gear assembly between two automobile axles.
Fuel tank: container where stored petrol is kept.
Rear axle: part placed transversely, at the rear and under the vehicle, connected to the wheels by its ends.
Shock absorber: shock absorbing device.
Tire: hollow tire made of a textile and steel carcass, covered with rubber containing an inner tube.
Hydraulic converter: device using static energy and used to modify the electric current.
Transmission: device which transports the power produced by the engine to the driving part of the automobile.
Clutch housing: metal casing protecting the clutch.
Oil pan: waterproof metal casing serving as an oil tank.
Master cylinder: a kind of container in which a piston moves.
Front frame of an automobile: set of metal parts forming the frame supporting the front wheels.
Front frame: framework of the front part.
Brake: mechanism used to slow or stop the car.
Suspension arm: segment of the assembly ensuring flexibility for the car.
Rubber pad: tray of elastic substance that absorbs shock.
Different types of bodywork: hulls forming the exterior part of an automobile.
Coupé with tailgate at the rear: 2-seater interior with movable rear part serving as a door.
Sports car: small 2-seater automobile.
Sedan: sedan with four doors and four side windows.
Limousine: large sedan with 6 seats.
Cabriolet: convertible car.
Coupé: generally 2-seater sedan.
Van: small vehicle used to transport luggage; small van.
Van: small truck.
Motor of an automobile: device transforming different forms of energy into mechanical energy, allowing the movement of an automobile.
Air filter: device in which air passes to get rid of impurities.
PCV hose: polyvinyl chloride tube.
Oil tank cap: cylindrical part closing the opening of the oil counter.
Cylinder head cover: movable part of the upper part of the engine.
Candle cable: wire connecting the candle to the igniter.
Candle sheath: candle shell.
Spark plug: ignition device of an internal combustion engine.
Exhaust manifold: line collecting the burnt gases.
Oil dipstick: instrument used to measure the oil level in the engine.
Steering wheel: wheel, which, when it turns, regulates the speed of the engine.
Engine block: assembly consisting of the engine, the clutch and the gearbox.
Exhaust pipe: pipe through which the burnt gases are evacuated.
Oil filter: device in which the oil passes to rid it of impurities.
Fuel line: network of pipes transporting the fuel.
Fuel pump: device bringing the fuel from the tank to the engine.
Oil drain plug: cylindrical part that is removed to drain the engine oil.
Radiator hose: treated rubber tube which connects the pipes of an internal combustion engine.
Pulley: small hollow wheel surrounded by a belt which gives movement to the fan.
Fan belt: piece of rubber that surrounds the network of pulleys and gives movement to the fan.
Water pump: device which draws water from the radiator.
Fan: device which supplies oxygen to the combustion of the engine.
Alternator: generator giving current in one direction and in the other.
Igniter: box used to ignite the engine.
Valve spring: mechanism used to keep the valve closed.
Types of engines: devices transforming different forms of energy into mechanical energy, allowing the movement of an automobile.
Counterweight: weight counterbalancing the weight of the cylinder.
Connecting rod: rod which transmits the movement of the pistons to the engine.
Crankshaft: set of connecting rods transforming the rectilinear displacement of the pistons into rotary displacement.
Piston: cylinder-shaped part moving in a tube receiving and transmitting the pressure exerted by the fuel.
Steering wheel: wheel, which, when it turns, regulates the speed of the engine.
Air filter: device used to rid a liquid or a gas of its suspended particles.
Nut: piece of metal used to close the air filter cover.
Cover: metal piece protecting the air filter.
PCV filter: polyvinyl chloride filter.
Vacuum hoses: ducts used to remove air.
Vacuum control: device used to regulate the pressure.
Shutter: hinged panel that regulates the air intake.
Air intake: place where the air to be filtered enters.
Reheating hose: hose allowing the heat from the engine to warm the air entering the filter.
Collar: adjustable metal circle made to clamp and hold the heating pipe.
Thermostatic valve: valve to maintain constant heat.
Air filter: device in which air passes to get rid of impurities.
Flange: collar used to hold the cover in place.
Filters for small engines: devices used to rid a liquid or a gas of its suspended particles.
Cover: piece of metal closing the filter.
Housing: metal casing protecting the filter.
Foam pad: mass formed of spongy material, used to clean the material to be filtered.
Sieve: surface pierced with small holes.
Washer: round and thin piece made of metal, hollowed out in the center.
Joint: gasket which seals an assembly.
Filter element: part in which the liquid passes to be cleaned of its impurities.
Bowl: small container.
Wing nut: piece of metal with ears, pierced and hollowed out with a groove, in order to accommodate a screw.
Automobile battery: group of elements of the same model generating an electric current.
Negative terminal: place where you can attach a current conducting wire, called cathode.
Cell separator: wall that separates the battery compartments.
Plates and separator: rigid, thin and flat sheet that separates.
Case: Envelope which protects the components of the battery.
Positive terminal: place where you can attach a current conducting wire, called an anode.
Strip of plugs: Row of screwed cylindrical pieces which close the battery openings.
Automobile spark plug: electrical part generating sparks for the ignition of an internal combustion engine.
Ceramic insulator: terracotta support that supports the electrically conductive elements.
Terminal: place where you can attach a current conducting wire.
Groove: hollow groove.
Resistance: conductor made to give a given thermal power.
Ground electrode: current conductor joining the electrodes.
Spacing of electrodes: space separating current conductors.
Central electrode: center current conductor.
Joint: place where two parts of a set meet.
Metal base: metal part of the candle.
Hexagonal nut: piece of metal in the shape of a hexagon which is used to screw.
Types of brakes: devices used to slow or stop a vehicle in action.
Drum brake: mechanism slowing down and stopping the car by friction of linings mounted on segments against a drum.
Drum: cylinder-shaped part, attached to the wheel and on which the segment linings rub to stop the car.
Brake lining: friction piece at the periphery of the segments.
Return spring: part of the brake mechanism which returns the segments to their initial position.
Piston: cylinder-shaped part, which transmits and receives pressure from the segments.
Wheel cylinder: a kind of roller which puts uniform pressure on the wheel when the brake is activated.
Segment: part on which the brake lining is mounted.
Friction lining: part activated by the piston.
Wheel hub: central part through which the axle passes.
Stud: ankle made of metal.
Disc: round and flat piece of metal which, glued to the wheel by the jaws, makes it possible to slow down or stop the car.
Hydraulic pipeline: system of pipes transporting the liquid.
Dirt guard: protector preventing dirt from getting into the braking system.
Disc brake: mechanism slowing down and stopping the car by pressing a disc stuck on the wheel axle.
Tire: hollow elastic bandage enclosing an inner tube.
Sculptures: relief drawings on the surface of the tire.
Sidewall: lateral part of the tire.
Carcass with straight hoops: frame of the tire in the shape of an arch.
Stuffing: material used for stuffing.
Rod: tire molding.
Bead and bead: end and lower part of the tire.
Belt: different thicknesses covering the hoop frame.
Tread: part of the tire that comes into contact with the road.
Wiper: mechanical brush that wipes water from a windshield.
Arm: mobile part.
Attachment: part used to attach the broom to the arm.
Broom: part used to support the scraper and attached to the wiper arm.
Scraper: piece of rubber used to wipe the windows.
Grooved tree: axis, hollowed out with longitudinal grooves, which transmits rotation.
Jack for automobile: rack and pinion device fitted with a crank used to lift the automobile.
Pivot: axis of rotation.
Lever: solid and mobile part attached to a fixed point, which increases an applied force.
Crank: arm perpendicular to the axis which gives a rotational movement.
Base: foot on which the jack rests.
Types of shock absorbers: devices which reduce the violence of an impact and vibrations.
Current: model usually used.
Heavy load: model used for heavy vehicles.
Adjustable: model that can be adjusted according to the load.
Inflatable: model that can be inflated.
Overload: model to which we can add extra weight.
