How many times have you opened an ‘nos’ box and found scratches or defects on the part? My dad worked at Buick Fisher Body Flint (53-58) said a lot of ‘cars’ ended up in lot out back with bad parts needing replaced. There was no time to fix-replace going down the line. He was told parts that didn’t pass were inspected, went back into inventory or if too bad back to manufacture for credit. This was at a time when 1/2 cent meant something and all those parts are paid for up front so the bean counters find a place.

I thought NOS meant.... lol.

The parts manufacturer that made the parts for ram. Or others. They are the ones that made the service parts
Again. Parts made that was not good enuff to be sent out to go onto assembly line but to good to be junked. We're called service parts. And. What would be nos parts later
I've my self have made freightliner hoods. Kenworth ford mack viper corvette bronco tops Saturn wagon roofs
Even sleepers for over the road trucks
All had service parts from us

NOS IS BEST!

So, it';s your contention that car makers intentionally stocked their parts departments with below-standard parts? Parts that would later be installed on customer's cars and possibly subject to warranty? I ain't buyin' it.

I'm not either. I worked in the part's department for Chrysler/Ford and GM dealers throughout my 30+ year career.
Yes there were quite a few defective parts, or wrong parts in the correct box, or container. But the
vast majority were perfectly good for service use. Wholesale and retail.