Japanese automaker Toyota and its UAE exclusive dealer Al-Futtaim, together with UAE government departments, recently launched measures to combat the menace of counterfeit auto parts trade in the country.

At a press conference held at Intercontinental Dubai Festival City, the Department of Economic Development (DED) has announced the results of a triple sweep raid mission executed last week on a number of auto part retailers in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah over 10 days. The sweep raid actions in the three emirates had been a success, it said in a statement.

The conference was opened by Hatem Abdel Ghani, director and head of IP Enforcement in Al Shaali, advocates and legal consultants, and featured an anti-counterfeiting presentation by Sajjad Pasha, national sales & marketing manager Parts and Distribution Al-Futtaim Motors.

It was reported that the most common origins of illegal parts seized within the UAE were from China, Taiwan, Turkey, Korea and Malaysia.

“The sweep raid actions are aimed at demonstrating Toyota Motor Corporation’s eagerness to work with the authorities in the UAE and its local distributors, Al Futtaim Motors to take actions against counterfeiters,” said Hatem Abdel Ghani.

“These illegal activities put both our brand and the consumers in danger. Auto part purchasers are being cheated and misled and end up with a hazardous part in their vehicles, which compromises their safety and the wellbeing of their families,” said Pasha.

Al-Futtaim Motors last year spearheaded the formation of a dealer council to safeguard the interest of the company’s 125-strong authorised dealer network.

In 2008, Toyota Motor Corporation carried out similar sweep raid actions in a large scale fashion in the Sharjah market. The sweep raid actions assisted by Al Shaali resulted in seizure of counterfeit Toyota auto spare parts wherein many retail companies were raided against.

According to a study by the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Trade, the automotive market in the UAE has grown by 19.7 per cent in 2010. The counterfeiting activities concerning the auto spare parts industry enjoyed simultaneous growth with the automotive and auto spare parts industry and trade in the UAE.

“The Dubai Department of Economic Development leads the way in the fight against counterfeiting,” said Abdulla Mohammed Al Shehhi, Commercial Protection director Dubai Department of Economic Development.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“It is committed to taking all corrective measures according to the laws that deem it illegal for wholesalers who deal with counterfeit products. We are keen to provide greater support to owners of global brands by doing whatever it takes against companies that carry out such illegal acts,” he added.

“The vision of the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi is focused on addressing counterfeit issues which reflect negatively on the UAE economy,” said Ali Fahd spokesman of the Economic Department in Abu Dhabi.

He stressed the department was following this campaign closely and has already taken all legal actions against illegal traders in collaboration with the brand owners. He assured that the department will continue its efforts to prevent and protect consumers of the dangers of counterfeit products.

"Due to the efforts done by the Government of Sharjah in the fight against counterfeiting we have observed that counterfeiting activities have considerably decreased. This is mainly due to the sweep raids and legal actions conducted by the Department of Economic Development on behalf of international companies,” said Khalifa Misbah Al Kutbi from Economic Development Department of Sharjah. – TradeArabia News Service