Middle East's campaign at Autoparts Re-export show against use of counterfeit parts evokes good response

A large number of leaflets, printed in both English and Arabic by the ABPC, were kept at convenient locations at the Show to disseminate clear and concise information about the various aspects of usage of counterfeit parts.

Information in the leaflets was aimed at providing details about both the physical and financial dangers of counterfeit parts, raising general awareness of infringements and packaging copies, and advice on how to distinguish genuine from fake parts.

'The Middle East is recognized as one of the major re-exporters of car parts. The Government Authorities are very pro-active in looking for and seizing counterfeit parts, whether in local retail markets or for re-export,' said Ms. Alison Coady of ABPC - Middle East, on the sidelines of the Autoparts Re-export Show.

'The most commonly counterfeited parts are small consumables such as spark plugs, brake pads, filters etc. However major car parts are also counterfeited, including bonnets that do not crumple and side impact bars that do not protect the driver and windshields not made of tempered safety glass injuring both the driver and passenger as a result of impact during accidents; and filters causing engines to seize,' she added.

Formed in March 2002, the ABPC is the first Automotive Coalition in the world that was officially created with a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the founding members including BMW, Daimler Crysler, Ford, General Motors Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Toyota.

According to ABPC, despite the fact that UAE had one of the highest car ownership levels in the Middle East, awareness levels about the dangers of using fake parts were very low.

A large number of car users bought counterfeits over genuine parts because of a lack of education about the dangers of such parts and the desire to save money, the organisation felt.

'What people don't realise is that fake parts are dangerous and can actually end up costing you more money. Many are made of substandard materials that do not perform correctly thus needing more frequent replacement. They are also poorly engineered resulting in poor fitting that can cause damage to your car thus reducing its value or costing more money to fix,' said Ms. Coady.

'By distributing leaflets in the UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia about counterfeit parts, we are trying to bridge the gap that existed as a result of a genuine lack of readily available and easy to understand information about the dangers of using counterfeit car parts. The information provided in the leaflets distributed at the Show has been written specifically for the Middle East market. These leaflets are the first of its kind in the region, and probably the world,' she said.

'By participating in the Autoparts Re-export show we are able to increase our reach in a very short span of time,' said Ms. Coady.

Ms. Coady further said that it was not only consumers that needed information but garage owners and importer/exporters were also vulnerable to the clever tactics of the counterfeiters.

ABPC, according to Ms. Coady, wanted to make businessmen aware as well that selling counterfeit parts was damaging to their business.

'We are happy to be a partner with the Expo Centre Sharjah, the organizers of the Autoparts Re-export Show, and applaud their zero tolerance policy towards counterfeit parts.' said Ms. Coady.