Despite more than 650 raids being conducted worldwide last year, Mercedes-Benz claims profits from the counterfeit car parts industry are higher than drug trafficking – and continuing to grow.
0
More than 1.8 million counterfeit Mercedes-Benz car parts were reportedly seized last year, with the global pandemic unable to slow down one of the most profitable illegal industries in the world, according to the German automaker.
Mercedes-Benz says more than 1.86 million counterfeit parts were seized globally in 2021 – a six per cent increase on the year prior.
Counterfeit parts are designed to look identical to genuine items in their packaging, branding, and overall appearance.
However, as opposed to genuine parts – and non-genuine items which are made by reputable “aftermarket” suppliers – counterfeit parts have not been tested to meet the same safety standards.
Mercedes-Benz says counterfeit parts are illegal and unsafe, putting road users at a higher risk of danger if the bogus components fail.
The car maker claims more than 650 customs and law enforcement raids targeting counterfeit car parts were conducted globally in 2021.
As a result of the raids, more than 126,000 illegal parts were reportedly removed from online marketplaces.
In a media statement from Mercedes-Benz, the company’s head of legal affairs, Renata Jungo Brüngger, said the illegal car parts industry is now more profitable than drug trafficking, aided by the increase in online trading throughout the pandemic.
“The counterfeiting industry has organized crime structures and often generates higher profits than drug trafficking,” said Ms Jungo Brüngger.
“We are working closely with authorities around the world in order to curtail these structures and combat threats to road safety.
“The trading in counterfeit products on online platforms and social media is further increasing. Our brand protection experts have quickly adapted to the counterfeiting industry’s growing business model.”
Mercedes-Benz also said counterfeiters often have their goods produced by workers in conditions which have “no regard for human rights, environmental standards and occupational safety”.
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) – Australia’s peak body for car makers – has been working with the Australian Border Force (ABF) to help its officers detect counterfeit vehicle parts when they are imported into the country.
The ABF has previously seized a wide range of counterfeit car parts, from brake pads which contained asbestos or grass clippings, to non-genuine alloy wheels which shattered when tested on potholes.
Despite being packaged and advertised as a genuine Toyota product, the car maker does not offer strut spacers for the HiLux or any other model.
An earlier investigation commissioned by Toyota Australia found 62 per cent of items purchased in a recent ABF sting were counterfeit, while a private investigation from 2018 discovered 15 per cent of service parts sold online they were fake.
Read more about Jordan Mulach
