“It is dangerous and lives are at risk,” says Francis Aguila of Autoperformance PH, the exclusive distributors of Brembo products in the country.
This statement stems from the proliferation of fake Brembo calipers and brake discs manufactured in China and imported from Hong Kong, which is currently being sold as genuine products in social media and in some stores around Metro Manila. “Unfortunately, these counterfeits are also being sold in dealers around the country at 50 to 60 percent below the standard price. Buyers should take into serious consideration the risk involved when purchasing these substandard products. Brake systems are subjected to a lot of stress when the car is in motion and it might fail which could yield deadly consequences,” explains Aguila. “Brembo S.p.A. invested over 78 million Euros on research and development to ensure the products they market to customers are the very best in the business,” he adds.
How does one spot a fake Brembo? Aguila says that you should check the logo or stamp and a serial number at the edge of the calipers; the originals also have five lug holes and two screws with a machined rear rotor hat; Brembo brakes are heavier compared to the fake ones and check for surface thickness and vane coverage. If you don’t see these genuine features on your Brembo, Aguila encourages consumers to verify with Autoperformance,” Genuine parts have a serial number that can be traced to check its date of manufacture.”
Brembo like other OEM and aftermarket suppliers, is working aggressively to address this issue. Better yet, do your homework and buy from a reputable vendor.