Pacific Elite Collision Centers El Segundo

Counterfeit Auto Parts a Growing Concern in U.S.

Following a car collision, one of the top priorities is having your vehicle repaired correctly so you can get back on the road quickly. That is the goal at  Pacific Elite Collision Centers El Segundo  and something we strive to achieve for each and every customer. When you get into an accident, there are a lot of things going through your mind, but one of them shouldn't be counterfeit parts. 

If you’re like most consumers, whether here in El Segundo ,  CA  or anywhere in the USA, you automatically assume the parts are legitimate. However, law enforcement agencies across the country are recognizing that counterfeit parts are a growing problem.

According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), counterfeit auto parts cost the global parts industry $12 billion in lost sales a year. This includes $3 billion in the U.S.

Private industry and the federal government have teamed up to figure out what can be done in response. The Automobile Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (A2C2) was recently formed to combat this serious concern. The organization consists of nearly all automobile manufacturers and they meet regularly to discuss and address the issue.

Bruce Foucart, director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center for Homeland Security Investigations, said about 85-95 percent of counterfeit parts are coming from China.

He said that every part that goes into a car, whether it is interior or exterior, can now being counterfeited. Some of the illegal parts seized include seat belts, brake pads, bearings, ignition coils and diagnostic equipment.

Unless you're an industry expert who can recognize the difference, the parts certainly seem legitimate to the average consumer. They usually have what looks like the trademark of the auto brand, but they might be made by another company and not up to the same standards.

Not only is it illegal, they usually don’t perform as well and are a major safety concern. Using counterfeit parts can be extremely dangerous and even deadly.

Tips on what to look for:

Be cautious and go to a body shop with a good reputation

Make sure to ask questions to learn about the type of parts that are being put on your vehicle and ensure you are purchasing them from a reputable distributor

Pay attention to the prices! If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is

If you’re buying parts off the Internet or from another country, do your research.

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Sources: www.americanrecycler.com, www.iprcenter.gov and USA Today