One would expect a company with a name like Quality Collision Parts to supply top-shelf auto parts, but as it turns out, the company was peddling anything but. The dealer was busted by undercover federal agents for selling counterfeit bumpers, grilles and other parts for GM, Ford and Dodge vehicles back in 2022.
According to a report from The Detroit News, the Department of Homeland Security suspected counterfeit auto parts were being stored and distributed by Quality Collision Parts and its network of warehouses in the Metro Detroit area. A tip from a retired Detroit police officer working security put authorities on the trail in 2022, ultimately leading agents to six locations where the phony parts were being stored.
In April 2022, GM enlisted the help of an investigative agency to purchase Chevy Malibu parts from Quality Collision. They found that the grille and fascia they acquired were nearly identical to authentic OEM parts. Investigators went on to purchase parts for the Chevy Impala and Chevy Cruze, noting that the items were clearly counterfeit, thanks to evidence of shoddy welding along with missing mold and paint labels. Other investigators from Ford and Stellantis came to the same conclusion about parts for vehicles from their respective lineups.
Raids were soon authorized and conducted by federal agents on July 6th, 2022, although authorities haven’t unsealed the records listing what was taken from Quality Collision. An affidavit states that employees from the Detroit Big Three helped inspect the seized counterfeit parts, who confirmed that most of the items were, in fact, reproductions, or infringing on patents. So far, nobody has been charged with wrongdoing, however.
The Federal Trade Commission states that counterfeit auto parts, which are not subject to the same stringent design and testing processes as OEM parts, cost the automotive industry $12 billion globally, while the U.S. auto industry alone suffers $3 billion in losses. These counterfeit items, which are often much cheaper than their authentic OEM counterparts, are mainly sold and distributed via online marketplaces.
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Comments
Parts are probably better than Oem
The importer of these Chinese counterfeit parts is based near where I live in Michigan. He was selling grills, fenders, bumpers etc for a fraction of what authorized dealerships charge. An example stated that he was selling knockoff grill assemblies that would cost $825 at a dealership for less than $80.
I bought so called “gyppo” front fenders for my Blazer. The original GM fenders rusted out after two years, even after being rustproofed. The “gyppos” were rust free after 8 more years.Then I sold the vehicle. They only cost $50 bucks apiece and fit perfectly. So much for GM quality parts.
I heard GM was buying engine blocks from them for 2023 Colorado and canyons.
There is no way a GM fender rusted through and need to be replaced in 2 years. That is total BS. Why do you GM haters even bother with posting such nonsense? The guy I sold our 99 Suburban is still driving it after 250,000 of Michigan winters. And yes, it was starting to rust but still has 100% original body
Yes, the fenders did rust out in 2 years. The truck was 3 1/2 years old when the rear window mechanism rusted away and the window glass fell into the tailgate. The dealer refused to do anything about it. Claimed the rustproofing was the cause of the parts rusting so badly. I gaveup and fixed the fenders etc. myself. Not a “GM hater” I just bought a new trailblazer.
This probably doesn’t scratch the surface of the counterfeit automotive parts that are out there. It isn’t just the automotive industry that’s effected by counterfeit parts!
Dman is right it affects everybody who legally works and holds a job, counterfeit parts over time raises the price of OEM parts because less people will buy the OEM, even parts stores get hurt by this. And CB your parts where not counterfeit some companies have the right by the manufacturer to produce certain body panels and they have to pay the company, also where do you live on a salt lake I’ve never had a car rust in two years and I live in the northeast I’m surprised the warranty wouldn’t cover it.
Dman is correct. I spent 35+ years in the chemical industry. A while back there was a big issue with counterfeit piping components that were bad from a design perspective as well as from a metallurgy perspective. This could have lead to catastrophic consequences.
The quality of the actual plastics and metals that make up parts and products from both India and communist China are poor at best. Cast iron from both is especially bad due to sand occlusions, that I have seen.
What’s a few counterfeit parts among “friends”?
Most of the OEM parts quality is lacking, especially Ford!
Have bought NON OEM parts that have outlasted the original part.
Buyer Beware………………