Isuzu targets grey market parts

The rise of grey market auto parts is becoming a growing concern across the world and Isuzu Australia says it is committed to tackling the problem.

It’s estimated that counterfeiting costs the global motor vehicle parts industry $12 billion per year, according to the World Custom Organisation in Interpol, and the problem is getting bigger every year.

Figures show that 83 per cent of counterfeit parts originate from China, where lax enforcement of intellectual property laws has seen production flourish.

According to independent market analysis by Ipsos Business Consulting (IBC), China’s automotive components sector is set to achieve annual growth of 20 per cent for the next five years, driven by demand for new cars and a growing secondary market.

The grey market problem is particularly widespread throughout Asia and the Middle East too.

Middle Eastern business resource, AME Info, says commercial fraud costs the United Arab Emirates around $136 million per year, with a large part of that figure attributed to counterfeit automotive parts.

As recently as April this year, police seized over 121,000 fake auto parts in Dubai, of which a sizeable amount, (18,000) were destined for Isuzu Truck customers throughout the Pacific region.

Isuzu says that counterfeit products are not put through the same rigorous testing as other genuine parts on the Australian market. For example, genuine airbags are required to undergo crash testing to ensure they work correctly.

Some counterfeit airbags systems fail to inflate at the correct time, thereby putting passengers at increased risk of serious injury.

The issue has come to a head as cars and trucks have developed more complex safety systems and airbag sensors, while body structures now use a broader range of lightweight but high-strength steels.

Another concern which users of fake parts fail to take into account is the issue of repairing these parts. Even when the part has been fixed, the truck cannot be returned to the state when first purchased. This creates major re-sale headaches at a later date.

For owners of older model Isuzu trucks, Isuzu’s Best Value Parts (BVP) range is cost-effective and comprehensive, offering high quality truck service parts, which are also competitively priced.

With Isuzu Genuine Parts and Best Value Parts, customers can be confident that they will receive the best possible support for parts supply when it comes to service items, accident repairs and in vehicle off-road solutions.

To find your nearest Isuzu dealer, go to www.isuzu.com.au/contact/find-a-dealer