Phoney auto parts a $1B problem, Ford says

According to CBC News there is a rising problem with counterfeit auto parts.
Ford has dispatched undercover investigators to seek out counterfeit and pirated auto parts, a problem that is putting the public’s safety at risk and costing about $1 billion US annually, according to the automaker.
Joe Wiegand, Ford’s global brand protection manager says a full-time staff has been hired to track fake auto parts within the U.S. The company has also hired independent agencies to investigate outside the country.
The next time you look for spare parts it is maybe worth taking care where you shop.

The study recommends companies ensure that raw materials and parts are authentic, and only purchase materials from authorized suppliers.
According to the RCMP the global counterfeit trade has risen by an astonishing 1000% and legitimate trade by only 75%.