Let’s face it, when we think of aftermarket car parts, we mull over stuff that is immediately obvious to the observer: wheels, tires, bodykit, lights, even horns. And yet, the components that work hard to ensure that our vehicle is top-notch and safe almost always do not get our attention. Take brakes, for example.

In fact, if I ask you what the brand of the OEM brakes on your car right now is, I bet you have absolutely no idea. And when the time comes to replace these very important parts, you simply rely on your service center to pick the next batch of brake pads.

Kind of weird that many of us do not take a serious interest in the single part of our car that could literally spell the difference between life and death. When I got the press release for this article, I just had to ask myself: “How many brake brands do I really know?”

I came up with three: Bendix, Bosch and Brembo (funny how these brand names all start with ‘B’). Thanks to the recent Manila International Auto Show, I now know a fourth one: ACDelco. Technically speaking, I have encountered the brand before: It has contributed raffle prizes for our Facebook page. But those raffle prizes were car batteries.

Kind of weird that many of us do not take a serious interest in the single part of our car that could literally spell the difference between life and death

ACDelco, from what I understand, is an American auto parts brand that was started by General Motors. It eventually expanded and branched out to serve non-GM cars. So you don’t need to own a Chevrolet vehicle to use both OEM and aftermarket parts from the ACDelco catalog.

The focus of ACDelco’s display at the last MIAS was its latest premium brake pad. As I confessed at the beginning of this piece, I know almost nothing about car brakes. But the main highlight of this product is its so-called “ceramic technology” and other elements that I assume are good things (like how a premium wristwatch is purported to have an upgraded ceramic bezel).

Here is the product info:

Tailored to meet the diverse demands of Philippine vehicle owners, the new ACDelco ceramic technology brake pads are engineered for superior braking reliability and durability across various driving conditions, especially with the unique challenges of Philippine roads and traffic conditions. The brake lining is specially designed to lessen the production of brake dust, and has features such as rubber-coated shims that absorb vibration that causes unwanted brake noises.

The PR goes on to say that these brake pads boast “zinc-coated plates,” which supposedly enable them to “resist corrosive conditions.”

I will readily admit that I don’t have any personal knowledge if all the above-mentioned claims are true. But at least, I am now aware of an additional brand for when I need to shop for or recommend new brakes. And maybe it’s no coincidence that the brand name starts with ‘A’ for a change.