The ‘Asli-Naqli’ pavilion at Auto Expo, an initiative of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), which has been in existence in the past few Auto Expos, displayed genuine auto components of 11 manufacturers and spread awareness on its usage and benefits. This initiative shared information and awareness in offering complete anti-counterfeiting solutions, including packaging technologies as a brand protection measure. ACMA has been actively driving awareness nationwide on the usage of genuine spare parts and on reducing the sale of spurious parts and in-vehicle passenger safety through nationwide road shows.
The expo also had a safety pavilion for the first time, which aimed to enhance awareness and sensitise consumers on the importance of in-vehicular safety devices in India. The safety pavilion displayed ‘safety-critical’ products by leading manufacturers, like braking systems, lighting systems and electrical equipment.
Speaking exclusive to MOTORINDIA, Mr. Soumitra Bhattacharya, Jt. Managing Director, Bosch Ltd., and Chairman, Consumer Affairs & Anti-Counterfeiting Committee, ACMA, said: “With the ‘Asli-Naqli’ initiative, our constant focus and discussion is about reducing fatalities and road accidents. In India, the official figure on road accidents, as of 2013, was approximately 1,38,000 fatal, recorded accidents, highest in the world, which could be due to ‘naqli’ parts or safety-related issues. 
Associations like ACMA and SIAM, along with the Government, need to create a road map which defines current quality standards in Indian automobiles and safety-related critical parts in it. In this country it is very important to educate people on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). With ACMA, we were able to create an IPR Cell and also upload it in the web. An aggrieved party can approach the IPR Cell to safeguard the Intellectual Property Rights of exhibiting companies against display of their counterfeits or limitations.”
The show also highlighted the automobile industry’s initiatives to check and curb the malpractices of issuing the spurious replacement parts which have caused losses of revenue to the government. By demonstrating the fake parts and the original parts, the show also attempted to direct the consumers towards the OEMs.
The automotive aftermarket is recording a sale of approximately Rs. 25,000 crores, one-third of which is estimated to be from spurious or grey market. It is essential for the consumers to know that the false products, although cheap, have a negative impact not only on the industry but also in terms of frequent repairs, high fuel consumption and, in rare cases, even accidents. A comprehensive road-map for the automotive industry, keeping in mind the passenger safety, is therefore the need of the hour, added Mr. Bhattacharya.