Saudi Gazette report DAMMAM — The Custom Control reported counterfeit car parts might constitute 45 percent of the local market, Al-Hayat reported. A source reported that seven years ago the counterfeit car parts in the local market constituted 75 percent. “The Custom Control was able to stem the proliferation of counterfeit car parts in the local market and bring it down to by 35 percent within seven years only. It is predicted that the number will decrease by more than 15 percent during the next five years,” said the source. The source added Custom Control inspects all imported products before allowing them to enter the Kingdom. “Having counterfeit car parts causes road accidents as the quality of the car parts is very low. Some have brakes made out of wood powder and cardboard. Such a poor quality is bound to be fatal,” said the source. The source also said the total number of counterfeit car parts products rejected this year is 1 million. “And about 1 million products were rejected for failing to meet the Kingdom's standards and regulations. The Kingdom has over 200 regulations when it comes to car parts and car manufacturing. The Kingdom's regulations conform to the international regulations and standards,” said the source. The source said these international standards ensure the safety and security of the consumer. “The standards measure seatbelts quality and form, shock absorbers in cars, airbags and the glass used to manufacture the windows for the car,” said the source. Saeed Salem, a manager of a car parts company, said there are counterfeit car parts that are sold as original parts. “It is not always the consumers' fault. The supervision on the car parts sold is very slack in the Kingdom. The consumer buys counterfeit products at the price of an original brand name. The industry needs clearer specifications and measures on car parts and accessories,” said Salem. He added the Kingdom has over 65 factories manufacturing car parts and accessories including paint, seats and the electrical circuits in the trucks. “The factories in the Kingdom had leading production lines such as the production of gear boxes, car bodies, filters, tires and batteries. Our factories have an international outreach as many foreign companies buy car parts made in Saudi Arabia,” said Salem. He also said the industry needs the support of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. “We need a quality assurance program to ensure the authentic quality of our products. The program should be applied to locally manufactured and imported products. The Kingdom is growing into an international market and we must excel in quality,” said Salem. He also said the Kingdom is predicted to manufacture a total of 1 million cars by 2020. “The industry in Saudi Arabia is opening up and attracting foreign investors. Being a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Kingdom's accessibility to foreign investors is proving more and more prosperous,” said Salem. He finally added the Ministry of Commerce and Industry must implement a quality control program and the market will automatically decrease the rate of counterfeit products.
