Mercedes seized millions of fake products last year

Carmaker Mercedes-Benz has revealed that it seized more than 1.6m counterfeit products worldwide last year, with an average of more than two raids carried out daily by trade and enforcement authorities.

There were more than 740 raids carried out in 2023 – almost 20 per cent more than in 2022 – although the number of counterfeit products detained was roughly at the same level as the previous year and lower than the 1.86m seized in 2021.

A key focus of the fightback against the illicit trade is taking down online avenues for distribution and sale, and in 2023 Mercedes deleted over 142,000 listings or posts for counterfeit Mercedes-Benz brand products and content infringing trademark rights. Its brand protection strategy is based on three pillars: tracking down, attacking and preventing, according to the company.

Mercedes is focusing its anti-counterfeit efforts against safety-relevant components that can be a danger to all road users if they do not have the quality of genuine parts. In 2023, for example, paper air filters were seized, which can cause serious accidents if installed. Counterfeit brake parts, wheels, and body and steering parts have also featured among intercepted items, all of which are destroyed after investigations conclude.

Renata Jungo Brüngger, member of the Mercedes-Benz board of management for integrity, governance and sustainability, said: "The counterfeiting industry achieves enormous margins and has the structures of organised crime."

She added that it endangers road safety, shows no consideration for the environment and fair wages or occupational safety, and has no quality control.

"By taking action against these highly criminal structures consistently and with all legal means, we protect not only the reputation of our brand but also our customers, other road users and ultimately all victims of the counterfeiting industry. In close cooperation with the authorities, we were able to track down many counterfeit factories directly."