| When purchasing automobile parts, you are making the | | | | following, are some of the items reported by the |
| assumption that the parts are original. Unfortunately, the | | | | original equipment manufacturers to be frequent |
| growth of counterfeit auto parts is harming the auto | | | | targets of counterfeiting and the "ingredients" they |
| supply industry, the overall U.S. economy, and puts | | | | contain: |
| drivers and passengers in extreme danger. What can | | | | Brake pads containing sawdust |
| be done about the problem? Consumer awareness! | | | | Fire extinguishers filled with flour |
| Let's explore the effect of fake car parts on | | | | Transmission fluid laced with dyed oil |
| American life. | | | | Filter stuffed with rags |
| What exactly is a fake part? Is it an inferior branded | | | | Here are a few things to keep in mind when |
| item or something completely different? Counterfeiters | | | | purchasing new auto parts: |
| are 'wise' in that they do not create and market a low | | | | To avoid purchasing counterfeit products only shop |
| cost alternative brand, instead they copy well known | | | | with a reputable supplier; e.g. authentic VW parts as |
| existing brands. The Jeep parts you purchase may | | | | well as manfacturer made BMW parts will be sold by |
| come in a package that is nearly identical to the one | | | | recognized online providers. If a part somehow |
| marketed by DaimlerChrysler, but only the package is | | | | manages to find its way into the inventory of a |
| the same: the product you are purchasing is of an | | | | respected auto parts supplier, you can return or an |
| inferior quality [not equaling manufacturer specifications] | | | | exchange the item. |
| that can damage your car. Reports about counterfeit | | | | The price of an item on eBay or at the flea market is |
| brake pads have circulated for years; deaths attributed | | | | probably "too good to be true" for a reason. |
| to accidents involving fake parts have been recorded. | | | | Counterfeiters use flea markets extensively to market |
| According to the Department of Commerce, the US | | | | their wares while eBay and some other auction sites |
| economy loses approximately $200 billion a year from | | | | are notorious for passing inferior products. |
| the counterfeiting of trademarked consumer products | | | | Examine the packaging and check for incorrect |
| and as many as 210,000 jobs have been lost. | | | | spelling. Ford auto filters have appeared on auto |
| Worldwide, it is estimated that as much as 9% of the | | | | supplier shelves with the words "Food" substituted for |
| global economy is based on trafficked counterfeit | | | | Ford and "Motograft" for Motorcraft. |
| goods, many of these items being auto parts. In | | | | The trafficking of counterfeit auto parts will likely be a |
| Germany, fake VW parts as well as counterfeit BMW | | | | long term problem, so you - the consumer - can play |
| parts have surfaced compromising the quality and | | | | an important part by shopping wisely and examining |
| safety of the two brands. | | | | the part before you install it on your vehicle. The |
| So, what products are especially prone to being | | | | safety of you and your loved ones can be |
| copied? Unfortunately, virtually everything. The | | | | compromised without exercising diligence. |