GM ramps up training programmes in fight against counterfeit automotive products

"Counterfeiters are becoming increasingly savvy, pricing products just below genuine parts and utilizing sophisticated packaging and labeling to make them less noticeable, which makes it increasingly difficult for authorities to spot the fakes," says Joe Elenz, Aftersales Director for GM.

"In 2004 alone, police and government raids have seized a total of 160,000 fake GM and ACDelco parts worth more that US$1.7 million at wholesale prices," he added. "A large part of the success we have had is a result of anti-counterfeit training seminars conducted throughout the region designed to help officials more easily identify counterfeit auto parts. We are therefore keen to run more programs, which we believe will maintain the momentum in cracking down on this issue."

In 2004 General Motors has so far conducted 15 seminars in Kuwait, UAE and Saudi Arabia and there are plans to run further courses in the GCC and Levant region during the next 12 months. "It is important to keep all relevant departments abreast of developments using the expertise of investigations experts," added Elenz.

While the company is delighted with the success that has been achieved to date, Elenz says the task gets harder by the day.

"Areas where we have had most success have been with regularly replaced service parts, however items such as windscreens, oil filters and brake parts are now harder to find and we are seizing smaller quantities than before. This could be attributed to the fact that through investigations and seizure we are effectively reducing the number of counterfeit auto parts available here in the Middle East."

With statistics revealing that the number of counterfeit automotive parts available in the Middle East now encompasses 20 per cent of the total spare parts market, General Motors is confident that the new series of training programs will have a significant impact on reducing this figure in the years to come.