FAQ > Auto Glass Differences Knoxville's Finest Auto Glass Installation Center What kind of glass does Phoenix Glass use?  At Phoenix Glass we primarily use what is known as “OEM distributor” glass and some quality Aftermarket glass if an OEM part  is not available.  This still means that your new glass is made to the same specifications that were originally installed by the  factory. What is the difference between Dealer, OEM or Aftermarket Auto Glass?  It can be a bit confusing as there are three different types of auto glass you can choose from.  Dealer Auto Glass is the windshield or other auto glass that you purchase from an automobile dealership authorized by the  vehicle manufacturer to service your car.  This glass is sourced from the same OEM distributor that  manufactured your auto glass originally and will often have the vehicle's make stamped on it.  If you own  a Volvo and absolutely have to have the Volvo logo on your replacement windshield in most cases your  going to have to go to your local auto dealer.  The down side to choosing this route is that due to the  usual extreme price difference between your dealer and you local auto glass replacement center your  insurance company may not pay the entire amount of the glass and installation.  In most cases most  insurance companies are only obligated to pay for like, kind, and quality (something they do to help you keep your insurance  rates to a minimum) and they are only obligated to pay what's called a fair market value and may ask you to pay the  difference. Beware though that a lot of times the glass you get from the dealer is no different than or may be the exact same OEM glass  that we offer.  Some Automobile manufacturers will not allow the release of the exact same glass that they install at the  factory.  Phoenix Glass wholesales glass and does work for several automotive dealerships and for liability as well as warranty  reasons it is only in rare cases that a dealer will provide their own glass.  In “Figure 1” you can see that Pilkington was the  actual OEM manufacture of this particular Volvo windshield.  The Windshield you purchase from us may come directly from  Pilkington but may or may not have the Volvo name embossed in it.  Sometimes if you look very closely at the logo you can  see where the Volvo name has actually been buffed out of the glass.    OEM Distributor Auto Glass  OEM glass is made to the same specifications as dealer glass, but not necessarily by the same distributor. For example, OEM  Ford windows are the same color, durability, thickness, size, and shape as the original windshield specs from Ford.  Windows  labeled "OEM" are virtually identical to dealer glass except they aren't always made by the same company that originally  contracted with your vehicle manufacturer.  Why?  Automobile companies change auto glass contracts from year to year, so the company that made your 1972 Chevrolet  window glass may not be the same company that manufactured your 2008 Chevrolet window glass. A good example of this is  on or around May of 2009 PPG Industries Inc.'s spin-off Pittsburgh Glass Works LLC has entered into a partnership with Daimler  AG to supply automotive glass to the German vehicle manufacturer. Under the new, multi-year contract, Pittsburgh Glass  Works will be the primary windshield, door and rear windows' supplier for Mercedes-Benz cars and sport utility vehicles.  Let's say you need a new Honda windshield for your Civic.  Your Honda windshield may have originally been produced by  APTech "a US subsidiary of Asahi Glass of Japan", so that's the brand you'd get if you went to the dealer.  If you went to a local  auto glass shop here in the good old USA you'd get your Honda window from a reputable OEM distributor like Pilkington or  PPG/PGW who makes the exact same windshield, to the exact same specifications. Because your windshield wasn't originally  made by APTech, it doesn't qualify as dealer auto glass, but it's just as good.  All OEM distributors contract with one or more of the various car manufacturers, and that's what qualifies them as Original  Equipment Manufacturers. A glass from an OEM manufacturer is a good choice for your Honda Civic unless you absolutely have  to have the Honda logo on your windshield.  Aftermarket Auto Glass Aftermarket auto glass, (OEE) “Original Equipment Equivalent” Auto Glass is made by companies that do not contract with any  car manufacturers. What Are The Markings On Automotive Glass?  The "E" mark simply means that the glass is ISO 9002 and EEC approved for sale in Europe.  Chryslers and Fords made for  export have these when sold (Neons, Cougars, etc). Sekurit (the trademark of France's Saint Gobain Group) is the primary  supplier to Ferrari. SIV (Societe Italiana di Vitres - Italian Glass Company, part of the UK's Pilkington Group) is another  supplier. Sekurit, Sigla (German subsidiary of LOF/Pilkington), and USA's PPG/PGW (the same PPG from CART Indy Cars) are  suppliers to Audi, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and BMW in Germany. APTech (US subsidiary of Asahi Glass of Japan) supplies the  M-class SUV made in the USA. Ford (aka "Visteon"/Carlite) and Daimler Chrysler are the only two auto makers that fabricate  their own auto glass in the world. The manufacturer of the glass (regardless of the trademark) is listed in the logo. The number  that follows "DOT-" is the code that tells who manufactured the glass.