Toyota joins in beating war drum against fake parts
Worried by the proliferation of fake or substandards automobile spare parts in the country, Toyota Nigeria has joined other stakeholders in beating the war drum against the hydra-headed problem that has continued to constitute misery and deaths for motorists.
Delivering a paper at a one day training workshop on the identification of fake and sub-standard auto parts with the theme: Zero Tolerance to Substandard Auto Parts, A Panacea to Safer Motor Vehicles on the Nigerian Roads, Ravinder Sharma, Head Parts, Toyota Nigeria Limited disclosed that genuine parts are mainly products that use a trademark.
Ravinder Sharma said during the event at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac, Lagos that automobile genuine spare parts are products that are designed according to OEM standard. They are designed and quality tested for durability thus giving customer satisfaction and safety of both passenger and the vehicle.
A genuine part ensures comfort drive throughout the life span of the vehicle and gives vehicle owners great value for their money. They prolong vehicle life span i.e. second hand value as these parts are strong durable.
He noted that counterfeit parts are products that use a trademark or copy a design illegally. Counterfeit products when sold, defraud the customer, damages the other parts of vehicle and do not ensure comfort drive and safety of passenger and vehicle.
In terms of packaging, Ravinder Sharma disclosed that spellings, typeface or font width of logo and finishing are properly done, while for fake parts, these are irregular and rough.
In terms of product design, the shape or structure of product, position of manufacturer’s name is according to standard. While for the counterfeit type, the shape or structure of product, position of manufacturer’s name is not standardized and dirty. It does not fit properly and damages the original because of irregular shape.
Prices of wholesale or retail price is alright for genuineparts where astha of fake part is extremely low. In the area of performance, of the vehicle, the brake pads have good breaking force and durable even as the fake parts comes with resultant low braking force, not durable and wears quickly.
Good oil and air filter has standard element, good filtration and durable. The substandard versions are of poor quality element and low filtration, lacks durability. Spark plug has good heat resistance while the opposite is greeted with low heat resistance and has possibility of melting.
Original belts grip in the engine systems grip well and are durable, with short life span, high possibility of slacking and poor grip of fake belts. Genuine oil seal are urable while the fake ones are prone to break easily, giving rise to leaks. Body parts fit perfectlyfor solid parts, but do not fit vehicle body tightly in the case of fake parts.
Mike Ochonma