Al-Futtaim Motors, exclusive distributor of Toyota in the UAE, conducted a total of 26 raids against the counterfeit industry in partnership with several entities last year, leading to seizing Dh31.3 million ($8.5 million) worth of fake car parts.

The raids also resulted in fines of Dh750,000 in fines to the offenders.

Seventy-seven per cent of the raids were conducted in Dubai, while 11 per cent were conducted in Sharjah, 8 per cent and 4 per cent in each of Ajman and Um Al Quwain respectively. The total number of confiscated parts exceeded 220,000 products, ranging from motor oil and lubricants, air and fuel filters, to brake pads and brake discs.

Al-Futtaim Motors also organized 10 training sessions, results in more than 300 trained government officials across six Emirates, helping them spot the differences between fake counterfeit and genuine parts, as well as participating in 13 different exhibitions to educate the general public about the dangers of counterfeit products.

“Al-Futtaim Motors has come a long way in the battle against counterfeit products, having conducted hundreds of raids over the last few years and seizing hundreds of millions worth of confiscated products from the UAE market,” said Ralf Zimmermann, general manager After Sales at Al-Futtaim Motors.

“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 costs savings from counterfeit product is diminished due to highly degraded quality that requires more frequent replacing, aside from being unsafe and potentially endangering the lives of drivers and passengers,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service