The German automaker recently confirmed over 650 customs and police raids worldwide in 2021, resulting in the confiscation of more than 1.86 million counterfeit products. This marks an almost 10% increase compared to the 1.7 million counterfeit items seized in 2020.
Counterfeit products are items advertised and sold to consumers as if they were OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) items, when, in reality, they are often manufactured at a lower cost and offer inferior performance. They should not be confused with aftermarket parts, which external suppliers offer as alternatives to OEM parts.
Mercedes-Benz stated that it has been taking “rigorous measures against counterfeit products,” focusing on critical safety components such as brake discs, wheels, and body and steering parts.
“The counterfeiting industry has organized crime structures and often generates higher profits than drug trafficking,” said Renata Jungo Brüngger, a board member for integrity and legal affairs at Mercedes-Benz Group AG.
The German automaker mentioned that counterfeiters, individuals, or companies manufacturing and distributing imitation and fake products, are increasingly using online platforms and social media channels to reach unwitting customers. In 2021, over 126,000 counterfeit products were removed from online platforms, according to Ms. Jungo Brüngger.
“Our brand protection experts have quickly adapted to the growing business model of the counterfeiting industry,” said Ms. Jungo Brüngger.
Mercedes-Benz highlighted that it can be “difficult to visually distinguish” counterfeit products from genuine parts, but their quality is often subpar, and they often do not meet minimum legal requirements for safety.
Counterfeit parts are generally manufactured under inhumane conditions, ignoring human rights, environmental standards, and workplace safety, according to Mercedes-Benz.
Examples of dangerous counterfeit products previously identified include wheels that break upon low-speed pothole impacts, oil filters that fail to filter oil, and brake components containing asbestos. In one case, the team even found brake pads made from compressed grass clippings.
“There is a trend in the community to view counterfeit products as harmless or victimless crimes, but this is misleading,” said a spokesperson for ABF in a September 2021 statement.
“Counterfeit vehicle parts, particularly those designed for emergency response, such as brake pads or airbags, pose significant safety risks, and these impacts on the consumer and the community at large can be significant and, at times, fatal.”
