Fake airbags from China seized in Ontario, California.

Fake Honda Airbag 1

Image of seized airbag, source: cbp.gov

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) press release, officers at Ontario International Airport (ONT) express air cargo operations in Ontario, California along with the import specialists (IS) assigned to the Automotive & Aerospace Center of Excellence (AA Center) seized counterfeit Honda airbags arriving in packages from China.

Eight Honda airbags were arriving from China when CBP officers discovered the airbags during an examination of the express packages. The airbags were sent to import specialists who focused on automobile parts and confirmed the airbags were in violation of Honda’s  protected mark. If the airbags were genuine, they carried an estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $4,856.

The remainder of the CBP article highlights the dangers of purchasing fake parts that may not function as well as OEM parts.

If you have had your shipment seized by Customs for suspicion of counterfeit goods, contact experienced seizure attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

Honda mulls moving Fit production from Mexico to Japan.

Fit

3rd generation Honda Fit/Jazz. Image by EurovisionNim via Wikipedia

According to a Reuters article, Honda Motor Company is mulling a shift of their U.S. bound Fit Honda production from Mexico to Japan citing two reasons – increased sales of SUV’s and the new USMCA (Trump’s NAFTA replacement trade deal).

According to unnamed sources, the increased USMCA requirement for North American content for duty-free market access from a minimum of 62.5% to 75% is one primary reason. The other reason is US consumer demand for SUV’s instead of compact cars and sedans. Shifting Fit production would allow Honda to manufacture additional SUV’s instead.

A final decision likely will not be made until Honda launches the new Fit model in a few years.