Far East Concerned About Counterfeit Parts Too

According to a report out of India, as much as 37% of parts in the domestic market are counterfeit and an industry association is calling for stricter penalties to stem the flow.
According to The Telegraph of Calcutta, the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (Acma) has formed a consumer affairs and spurious parts committee, which is working specifically to counter the menace of counterfeit products.
"The penalties against counterfeiting need to be severe in India and a more pro-active law against counterfeiters is required," said Madhur Bajaj, vice-president of Bajaj Auto Ltd.
Bajaj, who is the vice-president of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (SIAM), made the comments at the opening of the country’s premier automotive aftermarket trade show.
The level of counterfeit products in the auto components market has been assessed on the basis of research conducted by Acma for 12 major components.
Since consumers rely heavily on roadside auto garages and mechanics, there is a tendency to go for cheap and, therefore, fake products. What is needed is an effective after-sales network of vehicle manufacturers and also an efficient distribution network of equipment distributors and retailers.
Acma has now started a campaign that will not only try to ensure that genuine components thrive in the market, but that the consumers can distinguish between genuine and the fake. Acma says vehicle manufacturers have failed to educate consumers with manuals and publications.
Through consumer campaigns in sales points and elsewhere, Acma will try and ensure that consumers are able to easily identify markers like holograms, aspects of printing and packaging and pouches and seals, the association spokesperson said.
In one of its reports, Acma also blames vehicle makers for the menace of spurious products.