Safety first: FCAI urges use of genuine parts
Car owners advised to request genuine parts from insurers and repairers, or risk their car's safetyIt's been an issue perturbing many major car brands in Australia for several years and now the use of genuine car parts has been given a voice in the form of the GenuineIsBest.com.au website.
Launched by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, or FCAI, the new website warns motorists to "Beware of fakes" and urges them to question and ensure both their insurer and mechanic use genuine parts.
It could be seen as a way for car makers to prop up their bottom lines, as genuine parts come directly from the car makers and usually cost more. But the FCAI, which represents full-line importers and manufacturers in Australia, from Ford and Holden to BMW and Mercedes-Benz, says it's a safety issue.
The new website uses simple cartoons (see video below) to convey a message that asserts using 'fakes' or parts that are aftermarket or non-genuine in any way, will lead to a less safe vehicle.
For example a car that needs a door replaced after it was damaged in a collision won't be as safe if fitted with a non-genuine part, which, it is claimed, is not tested to the same stringent levels as official or genuine parts.
In a statement, the FCAI declares that the website "provides consumers with important information about keeping their vehicle safe through the use of genuine parts in collision and general repairs, and services".
It lists six steps to ensure that parts are genuine – basically quizzing insurer and repairer – but the job of ascertaining whether genuine parts are being used falls solely to car owners.
FCAI chief executive Tony Weber says the new website "equips Australians with the information they need to help ensure they have genuine parts fitted to their car so that it drives, functions and protects them exactly the way it was intended to by the car maker.
"A genuine part is made or selected by the vehicle maker and is tested as an integral component of the vehicle to ensure quality and safety. Non-genuine parts can't necessarily promise this quality and safety," he says.
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