In the USA, according to the Wards Automotive Reports, FBI officials now put automotive parts at the top of counterfeiting activities, along with computers and clothing. As far as the economic impact on the industry is concerned, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that counterfeit accounts for $12BN/year lost in auto parts sales worldwide. But the damage is not limited to lost sales. One specific area that has been identified as a target for the counterfeiter is that of automotive glass. The glass in your vehicle is manufactured to extremely high standards having to conform to the ECE Regulation 32 for Europe and FMVSS 205 for the USA. All glass components must be submitted to extensive testing to ensure that each glass product meets safety criteria. It is clear that those who produce counterfeit glazing cannot submit their parts for official testing.
