General Motors Takes on Counterfeit Spare Parts in the Market

Leading vehicle manufacturer General Motors East Africa (GMEA) on Friday launched their Grand Sale offering spare parts for Chevrolet, Hummer, Opel and Isuzu vehicles at highly discounted prices. The move, alongside their Isuzu Mashinani business innovation, is part of GMEA’s initiative to increase use of genuine spare parts in a market flooded with counterfeits.

Speaking at the GM Assembly Plant, GMEA Managing Director Rita Kavashe said that this was their latest initiative to ensure that the market gets access to genuine spare parts as opposed to counterfeits.

“According to our research, only 23% of service parts sold in the market are genuine. This means that 77% of the market operates in a grey area characterized by non-genuine, counterfeits and second hand parts. Our Grand Sale starting this Friday aims at encouraging the use of genuine spare parts,” said Rita.

Rita similarly pointed out that a number of road accidents happen due to the use of counterfeit spare parts which cause failures in vehicles. This is a significant aspect as the end of year festive season begins and an increase in road travel is expected. She also added that counterfeit dealers rob the KRA of tax revenue.

“Counterfeit spare parts pose serious danger to road users. Statistics indicate that over the years, counterfeit parts have contributed to failures and breakdowns of vehicles in ways which sometimes, have resulted in road fatalities. Many Kenyans will be servicing their vehicles for long distance travel during the upcoming festive season and we urge them to use only genuine spare parts. It’s also estimated that billions are lost annually to the counterfeiting menace because perpetrators pay little or no tax, revenue, which could be used to grow the economy by going to the exchequer,” explained Rita.

The GMEA Managing Director further added that this wasn’t the only initiative GMEA had taken up to tackle the counterfeit spare parts, while also addressing vehicle safety concerns. In September, the annual GMEA Likizo Fest targeting Isuzu school bus customers offered 20% discounts on spare parts, special maintenance plans and provided safety training for drivers. With the earlier launched Isuzu Mashinani initiative, GMEA is now looking to significantly reduce counterfeit parts circulation by increasing genuine parts accessibility countrywide.

“The Isuzu Mashinani business innovation provides a lease-free container stocked with vehicles parts to enterprising youth groups so that original Isuzu parts reach previously unserved parts of the market. Coupled with our Grand Sale this year we believe we will have impacted the market and increased circulation of genuine parts,” said Rita Kavashe.

GMEA’s General Manager for Aftersales, Mr. Githua Ngaruiya, was optimistic that the end year offer on genuine spare parts would be a welcome relief for vehicle owners because they would be able to buy the parts easily at reduced costs.

“The market is awash with counterfeit spare parts and we are doing all we can to safeguard our customers and ensure they obtain value for their money. This will not only guarantee safety and optimum performance, but it will also reduce their vehicle maintenance costs,” said Mr. Githua. 

The Grand Sale is scheduled to run from 4th to 11th November 2016, and it will offer a range of discounted vehicles and spare parts at the GM East Africa Assembly Plant.

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