Counterfeit parts can put businesses and customers at risk while the business may not be aware their original genuine OEM part is an imitation, according to Original One Parts.
It is a good argument for dealerships seeking to convince consumers to service their vehicle at their store rather than going elsewhere to get the job done.
Original One Parts is part of the private equity firm Kinderhook Industries, LLC. In a news release, Original One Parts warned businesses and customers about the risk of using counterfeit parts, however unintentional.
“Most collision repairers would say ‘I would never use a counterfeit part’,” said Wade Hilburn, President and CEO of Original One Parts. “The problem is, counterfeit parts are made to look just like the original genuine OEM parts, and even carry an imitation of the OEM brand. But you have no idea what type of inspection process, if any, was used.”
Hilburn said the parts do not perform to the same standards as the OEM part, and lack the structural integrity, and precise fit, all of which can impact safety, resale value, and potentially void a warranty. Counterfeit parts, he said, continue to slip to infiltrate the automotive repair industry, which in turn puts companies and customers at risk. The issue is serious enough (in the U.S. at least) that it falls under the investigative resources of the Department of Homeland Security.
In the U.S., the Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council (an automotive association composed of representatives from North American vehicle manufacturers) is aiming to eliminate counterfeit parts. Airbags, seat belts, control arms, crankshafts, suspension parts, steering linkages, ignition coils, clutch housings and oil pumps are among the counterfeit parts that receive the most attention.
“The best way to protect yourself is to use a reputable parts supplier that you can trust, one with a good process to ensure that counterfeit parts cannot make their way into their inventory for resale to you,” said Hilburn.
As dealerships in Canada seek to boost sales amid the COVID-19 pandemic, reminding customers of the benefits of using original genuine OEM parts when seeking to get their vehicle serviced can help both business and customer.
