<Institution>
- Foreword
- Company’s Problem:
I am delighted to present a report for TATA Motors on counterfeit motor parts. The increasing numbers of counterfeit motor parts has become a teething problem to TATA Motors international. This has resulted to reduced sales and a tarnished brand name.
- The assignment
This report offers a summary on how an investigation and analysis will be carried out to identify how such a problem can be dealt with. It delineates the process, and due meticulousness carried out to avert the manufacture and use of counterfeit motor parts.
- The communicative purpose
This report also describes how to prevent the current surge of counterfeit motor parts. It offers insights and recommendation on quality control and governance and the future progress of the organization.
- Summary
- Outcome of the assignment
- Evidence
As of now, TATA motors international has already reported two cases of counterfeit motor parts to the government authorities for further investigation.
- Cost factor
The prevention of counterfeit TATA motor parts is a costly venture. However, it has long-term financial benefits to the company. This assignment cost $4 million. This was utilized in sensitizing potential customers on counterfeit TATA motor parts through audio, visual, and print adverts. In addition, this was consumed by the open field days across numerous states and cities.
- Recommendations
TATA motors international should invest more by coming up with a platform where customers can confirm the batch numbers or serial numbers of motor parts purchased through a text message or email address. Discussion
- Background
In reference to Zipser (2007), duplication of motor products has become every organization’s nightmare. TATA Company has lost millions of dollars over the past five years as a result of the counterfeit products. The most commonly duplicated items are the crankshaft, fan belt, alternator fan and bracket, poppet valve and engine valve (Zipser, 2007). The crank shift, which has been the most duplicated motor parts, translates moving linear piston motion to rotation. The counterfeit crank shift crashed after a few months of installation. The crank shifts were tested and examined and showed that they did not meet the acceptable factory specifications. The crank shifts had been distributed in similar TATA packages. They had been sold at cheaper prices since they were not genuine TATA products. As a result, the company has sought to fight and prevent the manufacture and purchase of counterfeit TATA motor parts.
- Investigation
- Performance standards
There are numerous standards that had to be met for this assignment to be successful.
- Guidance and technical support
This standard appraised the quality of the assignment. This standard requires the following:
• At least 80 percent of consumers concur that the company is enthusiastic to help in preventing counterfeit TATA motor parts and the information offered is helpful
• The reported counterfeit TATA motor parts are taken for testing
• The company responds to consumer requests for assistance within 1-5 working hours from receiving of request.
- Analytical results and specifications
In order to satisfy this standard, the following items presented in a bullet had to be met.
• The methods used tested the appropriate variable
• The results are pertinent
• The method is scientifically sound
• There is a well-written protocol
- Identification of source of supply
The assessment also delved on testing the potential supply of products to test the risk of receiving counterfeit TATA motor parts. This was carried out through a product alert review and an evaluation of the supplier quality data.
- Identification of Hardening
Authentic TATA crankshafts use “nitridization”. This puts the need on the alloying metals in the steel to generate stable nitrides (Zipser, 2007). Therefore, as part of the test, the assessment tested on the hardening of the crankshaft to determine their susceptibility to crash.
- Test Results
On carrying out the test, the counterfeit products will not meet the quality standards of the organization. These tests were carried out in the public domain where potential clients were invited to note the difference between the counterfeit TATA motor parts and the authentic TATA motor parts. The counterfeit crankshafts were weak and crashed when testing their hardening.
- Conclusion
This evaluation on how to prevent counterfeit TATA motor parts offers an insight on how the company has worked towards reducing counterfeit products in the market. The tests carried out on the counterfeit crankshaft reveals that there are notable differences between the authentic and counterfeit products which a potential customer can identify. This can be seen through identification of the source of supply and the hardening. However, the company should add more features, which the potential customer can identify and distinguish between a counterfeit and an authentic TATA motor part.
References
Zisper, N. (2007, April 4). Counterfeit Auto Parts: A Growing Industry Epidemic. Retrieved August 1, 2013, from http://www.autoinc.org/archives/2007/april2007/mech.htm.
