With an influx of counterfeit parts entering the auto industry, Mercedes-Benz has been seizing them through a dedicated task force, according to Car Buzz.
Working in collaboration with law enforcement, the Mercedes-Benz Brand Protection Team carries out worldwide raids to stop counterfeit parts production, following months of research into websites, leads, and other sources leading them to counterfeit production sites.
According to Lita Silje Jänisch, head of Global IP Enforcement department at Mercedes-Benz Intellectual Property, the task force seized over 1.7 million counterfeit Mercedes-Benz products last year, and eliminated over 212,000 listings online for them, following 793 raids.
These counterfeit parts often include critical safety components like brake pads, wheels, or suspension components. They’re usually sold on social media and other online platforms for a lower cost than OEM parts, but can have severe defects.
