With foreign automakers stepping back from the Russian market, the shield that once kept fake spare parts out of original packaging bearing famous car brands is gone. This shift has triggered a sharp rise in counterfeit goods, a trend echoed across the supply chain by industry observers. The concern was voiced by Ilya Plisov, a board member of the Automotive Services Union, in discussions with socialbites.ca and reported for readers in Canada and the United States.
Essentials like filters and brake pads continue to experience lower counterfeit rates because many manufacturers offer strong, price-competitive supply channels. Yet more intricate components, typically available only as original equipment with the maker’s branding, were historically prone to imitation. Today those higher-end parts are increasingly entering the market as low-quality fakes, slipping past traditional checks and balances. This pattern was highlighted by Plisov during discussions with socialbites.ca as part of ongoing industry monitoring.
The landscape of intellectual property protection, once a central mechanism for customs enforcement, is shifting. In years past, automakers publicly identified their authorized distributors and importers and, in some cases, published minimum price levels for goods destined for official brand channels. Those signals helped customs authorities distinguish genuine parts from counterfeits. Now, according to Plisov, those pre-announced disclosures and safeguards have largely vanished, leaving customs with fewer tools to curb infringement. The market is facing what he describes as an avalanche of counterfeit engine parts masquerading as authentic, with a troubling quality gap between fakes and genuine components.
More broadly, the situation highlights how gaps in branding, packaging, and supply-chain transparency can weaken intellectual property protections. When distributors and importers are not clearly identified or regulated, counterfeiters gain easier access to the market and can present fake parts as legitimate replacements. This harms manufacturers and raises risks for vehicle owners, from reduced performance to potential safety hazards. Stakeholders across the automotive sector are calling for renewed collaboration among manufacturers, customs authorities, and service networks to restore traceability, certify authorized sources, and increase consumer awareness about the risks of counterfeit parts. Industry observers emphasize the importance of rigorous product verification, standardized labeling, and predictable pricing signals to help buyers differentiate genuine parts from impostors.
Analysts also note that the current environment—characterized by an influx of low-cost fakes posing as original parts—may affect warranties, service quality, and long-term vehicle reliability. Consumers are urged to scrutinize packaging, look for official markings, and verify part numbers with trusted dealers. Retailers and car service centers are encouraged to strengthen due diligence, conduct pre-sale verifications, and maintain clear records of supply-chain provenance. These measures work alongside regulatory efforts to reduce counterfeit components entering service bays and repair shops.
Even isolated incidents, such as the unusual report from the Rostov region involving a dog and a bus incident, serve as a reminder of the broader context in which car parts are moved and sold. While seemingly unrelated, such anecdotes illustrate how diverse factors—from logistics disruptions to everyday transportation patterns—can intersect with the distribution networks counterfeiters rely on. The key takeaway is vigilance at every chokepoint in the supply chain, from factory to final consumer, and the need for continued collaboration among all participants to safeguard the integrity of vehicle maintenance parts.