Mercedes fights against counterfeiters

Mercedes fights against counterfeiters

The focus is on safety-relevant counterfeits, which can pose a danger to all road users if they do not have the quality of original parts. For example, in May and June 2023, paper air filters were seized, which can cause serious accidents once installed. Counterfeit brake parts, wheels as well as body and steering parts were also seized. The counterfeit parts will be destroyed after confiscation. In 2023 alone, authorities seized more than 1.6 million counterfeit Mercedes-Benz products in over 740 raids worldwide. This means that the number of raids rose significantly by almost 20 percent compared to the previous year.

The counterfeiting industry makes enormous margins and has the structures of organized crime. It endangers road safety, has no regard for the environment and does not stand for fair wages or occupational safety. “By acting consistently and using all legal means against these highly criminal structures, we not only protect the reputation of our brand, but also our customers, other road users and ultimately all those affected by the counterfeiting industry,” emphasizes Renata Jungo Brüngger, Board Member of Mercedes-Benz Group AG for Integrity, Governance & Sustainability. The raids are often preceded by months of investigation and preparation. The brand protectors at Mercedes-Benz check offers on websites, investigate indications of counterfeits and conduct intensive research to identify the counterfeiters' factories. The team then makes the results available to the authorities. Conclusion: In 2023, there were an average of more than two raids per day worldwide.

Counterfeit gangs are increasingly using online platforms and social media to distribute counterfeit products on a large scale. When trading counterfeit goods, counterfeiters take advantage of the extensive anonymity and decentralized nature of online marketplaces. Mercedes-Benz is therefore continually expanding its strategic and operational measures against counterfeiting, including in online retail. In 2023, the brand protectors deleted over 142,000 offers of counterfeit Mercedes-Benz products and content that violated trademark rights. The brand protection strategy includes three pillars: detection, attack and prevention. Mercedes-Benz brand protectors regularly support customs authorities and service providers with training events and information material to raise awareness. A few simple criteria when purchasing can also help consumers avoid falling for counterfeit products. This starts with carefully examining online offers that appear conspicuous. Typical warning signals for counterfeit products are a significantly lower price, abnormalities in product quality or sales via dubious (online) sources. In some cases you can immediately tell from the product images or the names that they cannot be originals, for example if Mercedes-Benz does not manufacture these products itself. However, many of the offers cannot be visually distinguished from the original for the layperson.