The Automobile Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (A2C2) will host a panel discussion titled “Put the Brakes on Fakes” during the upcoming 2016 NACE/CARS conference/trade show.
The event, sponsored by the Automotive Service Association (ASA), will be held Aug. 9-13 in the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. It is a joint production of the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) and Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS).
The A2C2 panel — which will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 12, at the Central Stage on the Expo floor — will discuss how the automotive industry and U.S. government are working to protect the safety and welfare of consumers and repair businesses.
Panelists include:
- Andy Forsythe, A2C2 president;
- Bruce Foucart, director of the Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center - Homeland Security Investigations;
- Jon Ruttencutter, U.S. Homeland Security special agent;
- Jason Kosofsky with Ford Motor Co.; and
- Joe Cammiso with Toyota Motor Sales.
This panel discussion is being offered at no extra cost — anyone registered for an expo pass will be allowed to attend.
According to NACE/CARS organizers, the information presented in this discussion could impact how shop owners do business, and, in fact, “the problem is already affecting many shops.
“Law enforcement has identified a trend of counterfeited automotive parts growing at an alarming rate. A counterfeit automotive part is one that bears the trademark of a legitimate and trusted brand but was produced by another party and is usually not made to the specifications of the original equipment manufacturer.
“These counterfeits are produced illegally and sold at a profit, sometimes to support other criminal activities.”
At best, show organizers continued, “these parts will not perform as well as authentic parts; at worst, they can fail catastrophically with potentially fatal consequences. Some of the most dangerous counterfeits involve explosive elements of air bags, which can explode in the victim’s face during an accident.”
Some of the counterfeit parts seized by law enforcement include seat belts; oil and air filters; brake pads; brake rotors; control arms; windshields; bearings; steering linkages; ignition coils; microchips; spark plugs; wheels; solenoids; clutch housing; crankshafts; diagnostic equipment; suspension parts; and oil pumps.
“ASA is at the heart of the automotive repair market,” said ASA President and Executive Director Dan Risley. “This makes NACE/CARS the perfect venue to discuss this important issue.
“Counterfeit parts affect our members and industry partners, and we are pleased to have A2C2 bring this program to Anaheim.”
Registration for NACE/CARS is open at the event’s websites, www.NACEexpo.com orwww.CARSevent.com.
Along with the NACE/CARS show, a series of automotive repair industry events and co-located meetings will take place Aug. 9-14, according to ASA, including a series of board and other private meetings, the CIC quarterly meeting, a CREF golf fundraiser, I-CAR add-on learning classes, I-CAR stage and demos, ASCCA, CAA, ASA Affiliates, meetings with leading MSO’s and consolidators, NABC, CIECA, and MERA, as well as the NACE/CARS Expo and more.
The expo is produced for the ASA by Stone Fort Group, an integrated media company specializing in live events, print and digital media.
This article originally appeared on tirebusiness.com.
