Second overseas raid in as many years keeps bogus parts out of Australia.
Second overseas raid in as many years keeps bogus parts out of Australia.
Second overseas raid in as many years keeps bogus parts out of Australia.
Second overseas raid in as many years keeps bogus parts out of Australia.
Second overseas raid in as many years keeps bogus parts out of Australia.

Fake Parts Seized in Mideast Raid Likely Oz-Bound

Jan. 23, 2017
The raid on a warehouse and distribution center in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates’ capital, netted parts worth more than A$5.4 million. Some 21 truckloads of parts will be destroyed.

Investigators in the United Arab Emirates intercept more than 500,000 counterfeit car parts that likely had been destined for Australia.

The raid on a warehouse and distribution center in Abu Dhabi’s Al Ain city netted parts worth more than A$5.4 million ($4.1 million). The 21 truckloads of parts will be destroyed.

Nationwide Research Group director Craig Douglas, who has 25 years’ experience working with Australian automotive brands to investigate counterfeit parts, says the global market for fakes is worth almost A$20 billion ($15 billion).

“Dubai dealers have been contacting Australian automotive retailers offering to sell them genuine parts at less than local prices, and our experience has shown that in most cases those parts are, in fact, counterfeit,” Douglas says in a statement.

In the past 25 years, he has seen spare parts for major car brands increasingly being imported into Australia from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and elsewhere in the UAE.

“This recent seizure of fake parts suggests the problem is on the rise and Australian consumers should be vigilant,” Douglas says.

The raid was the result of a collaborative investigation by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and automotive-trademark owners. The fake parts emulated and bore the trademarks of 15 different automotive marques.

The UAE seizure mirrors a May 2016 raid that saw 33,000 counterfeit Toyota components, including many safety-critical parts such as airbag-triggering devices, confiscated by police in China’s Guangzhou city.

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries CEO Tony Weber says the latest seizure underscores the scale of the international counterfeit-car-parts problem.

Read More


WardsAuto is, like IndustryWeek, powered by Penton, an information services company.

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

Empowering the Modern Workforce: The Power of Connected Worker Technologies

March 1, 2024
Explore real-world strategies to boost worker safety, collaboration, training, and productivity in manufacturing. Emphasizing Industry 4.0, we'll discuss digitalization and automation...

3 Best Practices to Create a Product-Centric Competitive Advantage with PRO.FILE PLM

Jan. 25, 2024
Gain insight on best practices and strategies you need to accelerate engineering change management and reduce time to market. Register now for your opportunity to accelerate your...

Transformative Capabilities for XaaS Models in Manufacturing

Feb. 14, 2024
The manufacturing sector is undergoing a pivotal shift toward "servitization," or enhancing product offerings with services and embracing a subscription model. This transition...

Shifting Your Business from Products to Service-Based Business Models: Generating Predictable Revenues

Oct. 27, 2023
Executive summary on a recent IndustryWeek-hosted webinar sponsored by SAP

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!