KT For Good: Cheap, fake auto parts can cost you your life

The ninth part of our #FakesCostMore series highlights why you should never buy counterfeit auto parts.

Beware of fake auto parts, auto companies have said. Not only do counterfeits affect businesses, they also put motorists' lives at risk.
Though the UAE authorities have been confiscating huge volumes of fake auto parts in raids, a portion of the grey market still exists, industry executives said.
Axel Dreyer, CEO of Galadari Automotive Group, said an estimated Dh332 million worth of fake consumer goods are spread throughout the UAE, but it's difficult to get the figure for automobile spare parts alone.
"Customers purchase parts at a competitive price thinking that they're genuine parts. But, unknowingly, they are purchasing fake parts instead of genuine parts. It severely affects a brand's reputation, as well as the business of the automaker and distributor," Dreyer said.
Executives said fakes cannot be totally eliminated from the world as there will always be demand for such products. And this is why the public sector, civil society and automobile firms have to consistently fight the battle against the counterfeit trade - for the safety of consumers.
Mohamed Nabih El Zeftawi, general manager of Al Masaood Commercial Vehicles and Equipment Division, called for stronger cooperation between the public and private sector.
"You will find a lot of traders who are buying genuine parts from neighbouring countries and dropping them here. The government is trying to control that. Only dealers should be allowed to sell auto parts authorised to them, not the traders or other companies. Duplicate parts are a matter of safety for motorists, and the UAE takes safety issues very seriously," said El Zeftawi.
El Zeftawi estimated that in the grey market, around 40 to 60 per cent is genuine.
"To customers, all parts look similar. We explain and show them how they are different," he said.
Yasir Ali Rajpoot, director of United Diesel and Lubricants, said the grey market is a concern for most of the industry's players.
"There are a lot of competitors and fake products available. Therefore, the government has introduced certain regulations. They are slowly coming into effect and helping the good manufacturer in the market. Patent is also coming in for locally manufactured products," he said.
Rajpoot pointed out that there are a number of lubricants in the grey market. "There were four to five manufacturers around 15 years ago. Now, there are 150," he said.
Sheikh Najum Us Saqib, owner and manging director of Najum Us Saqib Auto Parts, said that although strict measures are in place to combat counterfeits, importers from other countries prefer auto parts sold at cheap prices, regardless of the quality. "An original plug costs Dh25, but a fake one can cost only Dh7-8. Importantly, customers will never be able to distinguish between original and fake parts," he added.
Mahmut Gazi Bilikozen, show director for Automechanika Dubai, said the proliferation of fake parts is an issue for every country.
"Governments are doing their best to control it. We are working with partners to highlight this issue and take action," he added.
waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• KT For Good