Detroit, Michigan — Quality Collision Parts in the metro Detroit area was recently busted by undercover federal agents for selling counterfeit bumpers, grilles and other parts for GM, Ford and Dodge vehicles.
According to a report from The Detroit News, in 2022, the Department of Homeland Security first suspected that counterfeit auto parts were being stored and distributed by Quality Collision Parts and its network of warehouses after being tipped off by a retired Detroit police officer working security for the company.
In April 2022, GM enlisted the help of an investigative agency to purchase Chevy Malibu parts from Quality Collision parts to ascertain their status. The investigative agency found that the grille and fascia acquired were nearly identical to authentic OEM parts.
Investigators then purchased parts for the Chevy Impala and the Chevy Cruz and noted that the parts were clearly counterfeit with evidence of shoddy welding along with missing mold and paint labels.
Other investigators from Ford and Stellantis came to the same conclusion about parts for vehicles from their respective lineups.
Raids were organized and then conducted by authorities on July 6, 2022.
The Federal Trade Commission states that counterfeit auto parts, which are not subject to the same stringent design and testing processes as OEM parts, cost the automotive industry $12 billion globally, while the United States’ auto industry specifically suffers $3 billion in losses annually.
Despite these losses and the confirmation of counterfeit parts, so far, nobody has been charged with any wrongdoings from Quality Collision Parts.
