DUBAI // Counterfeit car parts valued at more than Dh30 million were seized last year during raids in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain.
The 26 raids, organised by the Department of Economic Development and law firms in partnership with Al Futtaim Motors, resulted in Dh750,000 of fines being issued.
More than 220,000 products valued at Dh31.3m were confiscated, including motor oil and lubricants, air and fuel filters, brake pads and discs.
“Al Futtaim Motors has come a long way in the battle against counterfeit products, having conducted hundreds of raids over the past few years and seizing hundreds of millions worth of confiscated products,” said Ralf Zimmermann, the company’s general manager for after-sales.
“We have always highlighted the importance of installing only genuine and manufacturer-approved parts on vehicles, and we continue to invest in educating the public against buying counterfeit products.
“In the long run, the cost savings from counterfeit products is diminished by highly degraded quality that requires more frequent replacing, aside from being unsafe and potentially endangering the lives of drivers and passengers.”
Al Futtaim also organised 10 sessions attended by more than 300 government officials in six emirates who have been trained to spot fake products.
The company has also taken part in 13 exhibitions to educate the public about the dangers of counterfeit parts.
Al Futtaim Motors, distributor for Toyota in the UAE, sells genuine spare parts for Toyota, Lexus and Hino.
nhanif@thenational.ae
