Global brands of motor oils have left the Russian market, and store shelves in the country are filled with counterfeit products. RBC writes about this with reference to data from the Union of Automotive Services.
According to the organization, the share of counterfeit products in the automotive oil market has increased to 30–50% since the spring of 2022.
The media notes that the Ministry of Internal Affairs regularly conducts raids on underground factories for the artisanal production of oils, but the problem is not being solved.
The Union of Automotive Services notes that the copyright holders of foreign brands that have left the country have stopped contacting law enforcement agencies; they no longer control the illegal use of their trademarks. As a result, such oils end up in Russia through parallel imports, or the goods are counterfeited locally.
Now there are three types of oils on the market: products of domestic brands or brands that have not left the market, supplies of original oil through parallel imports, and counterfeit products produced locally.
The most popular foreign brands on the market until the beginning of 2022 were Shell, Mobil, Castrol and Total – all of them are no longer officially sold in Russia. However, buyers are accustomed to them and are ready to purchase products through parallel imports. Experts warn that drivers should be vigilant, as the risk of buying counterfeit goods has never been higher. Car owners who use counterfeit oil may experience reduced engine life and early repairs.
Experts note that it is problematic for an ordinary buyer to identify a fake by eye. However, one of the indirect signs of a fake may be an obviously low price. Before changing the oil, experts advise doing a test at home – pour the oil into a glass and place it in the freezer of the refrigerator. If the oil noticeably thickens within 24 hours, this indicates at least a discrepancy with the viscosity level indicated on the packaging.
Source: Rosbalt
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