In a study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy, Ford Motor Company is said to be losing about $1 billion per year due to counterfeit parts sales. Ford states that the real cost could be much higher, as it's impossible to determine the potential costs in terms of reduced safety related to these parts.
Ford has a full-time staff that is tasked to pursue the manufacturers and resellers of these parts, but admits that legal action is very difficult to enforce outside of the US and Mexico. Other companies included in the survey included Merck & Co., New Balance, Xerox Corp, and Bendix, all of who experience similar issues with counterfeiting.
Next time you buy those knock-off parts for your ride, take into consideration that you are not only putting your life on the line, but also the countless other drivers on the road around you. Spend a few more bucks and get the right parts, right from the source or else a legitimate substitute.
[Source: MSNBC]
First Drive: 2009 Honda Fit Sport
Officially Official: Honda unveils updated 2009 Civic
Facelifted 2009 Honda Civic sedan gets scantastic reveal
Monterey 2008: Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport
Infiniti G37 Convertible revealed ahead of L.A.![First Drive: 2009 Corvette ZR1 [w/VIDEO]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/08/zr1-1st-drive-1280-46_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
First Drive: 2009 Corvette ZR1 [w/VIDEO]
First Drive: 2008 Range Rover Sport
Woodward 2008: Monday morning recap
VIDEO: Corvette ZR1 does epic burnouts, we have proof
