Mercedes updates on fight against fake parts in 2024

Carmaker Mercedes-Benz has revealed that it seized more than 1.5m counterfeit products worldwide last year, carrying out 793 raids alongside customs authorities.

The company said it focuses its brand protection operations on safety-relevant counterfeits, like air filters made from highly flammable materials, inferior brake components, and brake pads containing hazardous materials like lead and arsenic, which do not meet the high safety and quality standards of Mercedes-Benz and can lead to severe accidents.

Its brand protection team scrutinises offers on websites, follows up on counterfeit leads, and conducts research to identify counterfeiters' production sites – a process that can take months of intensive investigations and preparations – before carrying out raids.

"Increasingly premium high-end brand products, such as those from Mercedes-Benz Maybach and AMG, are being counterfeited," said the company in its update. "This includes the modification of Mercedes vehicles in violation of intellectual property rights and even recreating entire vehicles."

A key focus of the fightback against the illicit trade is taking down online avenues for distribution and sale, and in 2024, Mercedes' brand protectors deleted over 212,000 listings of fake products and trademark-infringing content, a 49 per cent increase on the prior year.

"Originals stand for tested quality. They meet technical, environmental, and occupational safety requirements, ensuring road safety. Therefore, we work closely with authorities to prevent the spread of counterfeits," commented Renata Jungo Brüngger, Mercedes-Benz board member for integrity, governance & sustainability.

"Through our extensive fight against the counterfeit industry, we protect road users from serious accidents, safeguard customers from deception, and strengthen trust in our brand."