Bosch Middle East, the regional office of the German automotive giant Bosch, has called for stiff action against peddlers of counterfeit automobile spare parts in the region and strong public awareness campaigns to educate motorists on the dangers of using inferior parts in their vehicles.
The spare parts market in the region is worth over US$ 11 billion. Counterfeit products are said to command a market share of 20 per cent in the Middle East, worth more than $220 million a year. The loss to the industry is estimated at around US$ 100 million.
“It is imperative that law enforcement agencies in the region launch campaigns against the sale of counterfeit automobile spare parts,” said Oleg Riabtsev, General Manager, Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Middle East Office. “Being the leading manufacturer and distributor of quality automotive spare parts in the region, we are deeply concerned about the damage the counterfeiting industry is wrecking in the Middle East markets. The peddlers of fake spare parts thrive on the lack of awareness among unsuspecting customers and thus put the customers’ life and that of other motorists in grave danger.”
The use of fake spare parts can lead to serious damage to a vehicle. The use of a fake oil filter, for instance, can lead to a decline in performance of the engine or engine failure itself. Should this happen on a highway where vehicles travel at high speeds it could lead to horrific accidents with terrible loss of life.
“The counterfeit product may cost only 80 per cent of the price of a genuine one, but they severely affect performance, and deliver efficiency levels of less than 30 per cent,” said Riabtsev. “The spare parts manufactured or supplied by Bosch are products of intensive research and stringent quality control, and are guaranteed to deliver value, assure safety and provide complete peace of mind. As a company specialising in high quality spare parts for over 100 years, Bosch offers products that do not compromise on safety. As safety is one of the prime concerns of any driver, using original spare part is in the interest of all car users.”
“The losses to the industry are compounding multiplying each year. Customers are being bombarded with spurious products at attractive low prices. This parallel trade must be tackled on a war footing for the sake of customers and for the benefit of the bona fide industry,” said Riabtsev. “Bosch is working very closely with enforcement agencies in the UAE to identify the companies and individuals who indulge in counterfeit parts as well as seeking legal remedies to protect our trade.”
“The government-level action and legal approach has to be supported by public awareness campaigns that will deliver the message that counterfeit spare parts can kill,” added Riabtsev. “The message has to be hard-hitting, as most people are using fake parts because they are unaware of the consequences. Bosch is currently developing a public awareness plan that will educate the public on how use of genuine spare parts can increase the longevity of a vehicle and lead to trouble-free performance. On the other hand, they should be told that use of fake parts would lead to disastrous consequences.”
The Bosch Group is one of the world’s leading suppliers of automotive equipment. The Bosch Automotive Aftermarket business division (Bosch AA) deals with the global supply of replacement parts and information for Bosch products and systems, the distribution of shop and auto accessories, and worldwide customer service. Bosch AA delivers to 132 countries through regional companies, foreign representatives, or customer service centres. Its distribution centre warehouses more than 150,000 different items: diesel and petrol injection parts, sparkplugs, filters, starters, generators, brakes, headlights, and many other automotive supplies. Bosch Automotive has been operating in the Middle East for almost 40 years. Since then, the Automotive after sales business has maintained a significant presence in Middle East markets.
