No matter how much the carmakers and authorities warn consumers about the dangers of using imitation products and parts, there are still motorists who buy them knowingly or unknowingly. And these days, the imitation parts can be hard to differentiate from the original items so consumers may be misled even though they should be suspicious if the prices are too cheap.

In a move to address this situation in the market, Perodua recently took the initiative of providing enforcement officers from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) with an understanding of the problem and how to identify imitation parts.

Comprehensive briefing for enforcement officers
Some 120 KPDNHEP officers attended an engagement session at Perodua’s Sungai Choh headquarters where, together with select service dealers and stockists, they received a comprehensive briefing. They were acquainted them with Perodua’s range of genuine products and parts, where they are sold, the logistics flow and shown real and fake items.

“Perodua is aware of the circulation of non-genuine products and parts that bear Perodua branding in the market, some of which are almost indistinguishable from the originals. These include lubricants, oil filters, shock absorbers and brake pads,” said Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Dato’ Dr Zahari Husin.

Warranty is void if imitation parts used

“This is very alarming as they are critical items. Customers may be misled into buying and using such items, which have not been tested by Perodua, on their vehicles. Besides voiding warranties, this could greatly jeopardise the safety and running condition of their vehicles,” he warned.

“We hope that the engagement session was informative and insightful, and that it will help them in their duties to identify, pin-point and put the brakes on counterfeit Perodua products and parts in the market,” added Dato’ Dr Zahari. “We urge the public not to be lured by unscrupulous traders selling imitation Perodua items, and to only buy and use genuine products and parts from authorised Perodua stockists or any of our 179 authorised Perodua service centres nationwide.

“Genuine Perodua products and parts are fairly priced and most importantly, they give you total peace-of-mind. As an alternative, we have the ProGanti range of parts that’s easier on the wallet but still tested and approved by Perodua,” he said.

Visit www.perodua.com.my to locate authorised service centres where genuine Perodua and ProGanti parts are available.