The more renowned the brand the more counterfeits of their products can be found on certain markets – a problem that is only too familiar to manufacturers of high-quality motor vehicle components like MAHLE. However, MAHLE is not only monitoring the market, but is responding: with resolute persecution of the counterfeiters. A report from the “counterfeiter stronghold” China.

The favourite products of international product counterfeiters and their traders are high-quality wearing parts in manageable type variety and with large sales volume such as filters. Experts of the Chinese market estimate that here more than half of all filters are counterfeits. Of course, the accuracy of this assumption is difficult to verify. It is, however, safe to say that counterfeit and inferior products have not only negative effects on the sales figures of the authorised components trade and repairers, but also damage the general reputation of the MAHLE brand. Every counterfeit of our products is also an attack on our carefully maintained brand – and product image.

MAHLE Trading in Shanghai has therefore decided to take action against the counterfeiters and to defend the rights and interests of the MAHLE brand. At first, the anti-counterfeiting team has instructed a consultant team, specialised in brand and patent law, to take action against the counterfeiting. This is mainly aimed at the large, traditional vehicle components markets that take place in the open in Shanghai. After careful preparations and investigations lasting 3 month, raids on two of these markets with a particularly high ratio of dealers were carried out – with the support of the “Quality & Technical Supervision Bureau (TSB)”, a governmental agency for quality and technical supervision in Shanghai – with great success! To start with, a house search in the vicinity of the car parts market was carried out as a deterrent. This resulted in the confiscation of several counterfeit products of the brand MAHLE Filter in a storeroom. Altogether, 3,151 counterfeit parts (fig. 1) were seized.

Fig. 1: View of the warehouse in Shanghai: counterfeit products by the ton have been impounded here.

The next step was a “market clean-up” action at a car parts market in Hangzhong Road. The TBS task force inspected and searched several shops and set thereby an effective public signal with a clear message: “MAHLE takes action against infringements”.

Then, the counterfeit investigators carried out the main strike – a raid on the largest well-known market for counterfeit product in East China. The police confiscated and secured here more than 10 counterfeit MAHLE filter types. Altogether, 9,050 filters were discovered – and 65,000 counterfeit units of packaging (fig. 2 and 3)!

Fig. 2: A popular trick of counterfeiters: copying of the product packaging of renowned manufacturers.

Fig. 3: With the support of the public authorities, MAHLE puts a stop to the counterfeiters in the area.

The appropriate measures were taken against traders who traded in MAHLE counterfeits – and therefore unmistakable signs were set for other potential counterfeiters. In addition, civil action was taken against a trader who had an enormous amount of counterfeits confiscated and the threat of further claims for damages still remains.

The effort has been considerable – but it has been a great success and MAHLE will therefore also take action in the future and use all available measures to fight product counterfeiting – in the interest of our brand and our customers who should be assured: When MAHLE is printed on it, MAHLE is also in it.