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Research and Markets: Manufacturers Devise Strategies to Thwart Auto Parts Counterfeiting and Gray Market Activities inside North America According to a 2009 Study

DUBLIN--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/5b5d6d/strategic_analysis) has announced the addition of Frost & Sullivan's new report "Strategic Analysis of the North American Automotive Parts Counterfeiting and Gray Market" to their offering.

“Aspects assisting the growth of auto part counterfeiting include higher material costs, development of model specific components, and the evolution of counterfeiting technology”

Auto parts counterfeiting and gray market are major factors threatening the North American automotive industry landscape. While it has existed for centuries, over the past 50 years, counterfeiting and the gray market have become worldwide problems with globalization. Frost & Sullivan traced the growth processes and identified the evolutionary trends influencing counterfeit and gray market product manufacturers. While the operation circle of these spurious manufacturers follows a pattern similar to that of legitimate companies, it also contains counterfeiter-have-only activities to ensure the continuity of the operation. "Aspects assisting the growth of auto part counterfeiting include higher material costs, development of model specific components, and the evolution of counterfeiting technology," notes the analyst of this research service. "A number of variables, such as consumer demand, part complexity, and others contribute to the choice of specific automotive components to counterfeit."

Besides providing a boost to anti-counterfeiting and anti-gray market activities, the study also identifies and comments on a variety of resources and mechanisms and relevant technologies. In-house research and information from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), World Trade Organization (WTO), and International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC) helped Frost & Sullivan prepare a map of global IPR infringement magnitude and a map of auto parts counterfeit and gray market sources. As the next step, Frost & Sullivan applied three methods to gauge the total volume of counterfeit and gray market automotive products in North America. Key counterfeiting target parts have been identified, analyzed, and compared. No single way can guarantee the correct measurement of the total volume of auto part counterfeiting and gray market, but the results from three methods ensured that the calculation was quite close to the real number. The dollar amount fluctuated annually, but the sources were comparatively stable in recent years. While it is tricky to forecast the exact volume for a specific auto part, Frost & Sullivan is quite confident to list the most vulnerable products with strongest factors driving penetration of counterfeit/gray market/copy products.

The process of fighting against counterfeiting and gray market consists of a five-step approach. While identifying and analyzing the elements of each step, Frost & Sullivan provides a whole bunch of anti-counterfeiting and anti-gray market tactics to help companies build up their intellectual property protection strategies. Key resources and mechanisms against counterfeiting and gray market and a five-level framework of intellectual property protection have also been presented in this study. "It is imperative for auto parts manufacturers to have an intellectual protection strategy, which should be technically and economically viable based on detailed analysis and calculation," says the analyst. "The tactics tips and analysis presented in this study will facilitate this strategy construction process." Companies must also remember that they are not alone. There are actually enough resources and mechanisms to assist them. Frost & Sullivan lists some most important ones in the research service. However, to leverage the influences of these resources and mechanisms to protect one's own interests is a long-lasting process that deserves more time.

Market Sectors

Expert Frost & Sullivan analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors in this research:

  • Filters
  • Brake parts
  • Starters
  • Hoses
  • Spark plugs
  • Antifreeze

This Frost & Sullivan research service titled Strategic Analysis of the North American Automotive Parts Counterfeiting and Gray Market studies the rationale, threat, sources, and volume of automotive parts counterfeiting and gray market in North America. The research develops strategies against counterfeiting and gray market and comments on key technologies. It also identifies and analyses international anti-counterfeiting and anti-gray market resources and mechanisms. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors: filters, brake part, starters, hoses, spark plugs, and antifreeze.

Key Topics Covered:

  • Overview and Definitions
  • Understanding Counterfeiting and Gray Market
  • 3 Auto Parts Counterfeiting and Gray Market in North America
  • 4 Strategies and Technologies against Counterfeiting and Gray Market
  • 5 International Anti-counterfeiting Resources and Mechanism
  • 6 Conclusions
  • 7 Abbreviations

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/5b5d6d/strategic_analysis