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Fake Toyota parts worth Dh26m seized in UAE

Dubai - Oil filters and brake pads were among the parts seized.

Al Futtaim Toyota, in partnership with UAE government authorities, has completed a total of five raids on fake car part dealers in the third quarter of this year with a focus on counterfeit operations in Dubai and Sharjah, bringing the total value of counterfeit products seized or destroyed to over Dh26 million this year.

The majority of items confiscated were serviceable goods such as oil filters, of which over 34,000 were seized worth almost Dh760,000, as well as nearly 6,000 brake pads with a value of over Dh1.50 million. Fake brake pads made out of dried grass or asbestos and other cheap counterfeit car parts not only put the driver at risk but also endanger the lives of other road users. In addition, fake oil filters can degenerate much faster due to the poor-quality materials used and lead to major engine failure or seizure thereby resulting in expensive repairs.

"Our role in ensuring customers' safety is paramount and it is our firm commitment to protect consumers from the threat of dangerous counterfeit parts," said Saud Abbasi, Managing Director of Al Futtaim Toyota.

"We also have a responsibility to ensure people can identify genuine Toyota parts from fake items and we will continue training official inspectors to help in this fight. The success of these raids would not have been possible without the help of the UAE government, local economic departments and the police. We would like to thank them for their efforts in making these raid campaigns so successful," he added.

Counterfeit parts affect vehicle longevity, reliability, value and customers' own well-being, in addition to exposing other road users to greater dangers due to the possibility of high-risk failures.

waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com