In line with its nationwide initiative of cracking down on the menace of spurious auto parts, diesel engine manufacturer Greaves Cotton recently raided a number of shops in Pune.

The team unearthed more than 516 spurious auto parts which including camshafts, valve sets, filters and bearings. These small businesses, which were based in Chinchwad and Bhosari region, were selling inferior quality spare parts packaged in fake Greaves Cotton packaging. The company says the mastermind behind these operations has been arrested and put to remand for further investigation.

The enforcement teams consisting of the State Police and Greaves Cotton’s representatives have been working closely to identify both manufacturing units and sales outlets of counterfeit spares across major cities and trade hubs in India. The report submitted by the enforcement team highlights that all retailers who were into small-time business of dealing in fake Greaves parts closed their shops after the raid.

Commenting on this exercise, Sunil Pahilajani, MD and CEO, said, “Manufacturing and sale of spurious products is a growing concern for the industry. Using original products ensures customer safety and reliable performance and these are the parameters each and every original Greaves product delivers. We will continue our fight against these spurious parts to ensure that our customers get 100% original Greaves parts across India.”

As vehicle manufacturers rapidly embrace safety standards, battling the burgeoning counterfeit business has become even more important. Concerned with the growing number of spurious auto parts – roughly estimated to be 36 percent of the automotive aftermarket in India.

Some of the most critical auto parts required for the safe operation of vehicles are among the most commonly counterfeited products available in the market with grave implications with respect to public safety and revenue losses to the government.

Also read: Tata Motors steps up its campaign against counterfeit spares