In an initiative against sale of counterfeit auto parts, which eats into 30-35% of the total sales, Automotive Components manufacturers’ Association of India (ACMA) is taking several steps to protect the replacement market. Joint raids with auto component makers and law-enforcing agencies, representations to the government, disciplinary action, an “asli-naqli” campaign, seminars and conferences are some measures the association has been taking for the past six months. It has also set up a consumer affairs committee, which is generating awareness among consumers.
The sale of spurious auto parts amounts to Rs 5,300 crore in the Rs 16,500-crore market. Even the government is losing approximately Rs 4,250 crore due to the spurious sales.
Companies such as Bosch, Lucas, Delphi, NRB Bearings, Elofic and Asahi Glass have also joined hands to conduct joint raids under the umbrella of ACMA. In the past six months, 34 raids have been conducted in northern India. This exercise will be extended throughout the country shortly.
“ACMA is making efforts to create greater awareness to generate support from various government bodies and customers,” said Soumitra Bhattacharya, chairman of ACMA Consumer Affairs Committee, which is steering this initiative on behalf of ACMA members. Bhattacharya is also the vice-president of Bosch Ltd, a leading automotive technology supplier in India.