Gyeonggi Province Residents Say 'I'll Try It'...Certified Alternative Auto Parts, Bumpers Most Popular

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] A survey has revealed that nine out of every ten Gyeonggi Province residents hold positive views on so-called certified alternative auto parts, which offer quality levels similar to genuine parts at lower prices.

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 12th that it conducted an 'awareness survey on auto alternative parts' from March 26 to 31 for five days targeting 1,004 residents with experience owning and repairing automobiles, with 90% expressing intention to 'try using them.'

The auto alternative parts certification system is a system in which certification bodies certify the performance and quality when alternative parts have specifications or quality identical to or similar to genuine parts (OEM parts) from automakers, which was implemented in January 2015. However, due to the absence of distribution channels and narrow market size caused by a supply system focused on genuine parts, it has not been favored by many consumers thus far.

According to the survey results, residents' perception that auto repair parts are expensive was very high (domestic 82%, foreign 89%), and they preferred OEM parts commonly called genuine parts (78%) over alternative parts (17%). This is interpreted as stemming from the perception that alternative parts have lower quality (55%) as they are cheaper than OEM parts.

45% of surveyed residents had experience using alternative parts, and their satisfaction after using alternative parts was 80%. Satisfaction among those with OEM parts experience was 94%.

Awareness of the auto alternative parts certification system, where government certification bodies inspect and certify performance and quality, was only 21%. However, after explanation of the auto alternative parts certification system, when asked about intention to use certified alternative parts, 'I will try using them' reached 90%, which was very positive, confirming market potential for alternative parts.

Alternative parts they intended to use included ▲bumper products such as bumpers and moldings (64%) ▲lighting parts such as headlights (63%) ▲body parts such as fenders and bonnets (48%) in order of higher survey results. (multiple responses)

As priority tasks for activating alternative parts, respondents answered ▲quality and safety assurance (83%) ▲price reduction (47%) ▲quality warranty (41%) in order. (multiple responses)

The province selected 'protecting consumers' part selection rights during auto repairs' as a detailed implementation task of the 'Gyeonggi Province Fair Economy 5-Year Basic Plan' to realize fair Gyeonggi Province, and is pursuing measures including ▲awareness survey on alternative parts ▲performance comparison survey ▲operation of expert consultation meetings and consumer forums.

Lee Yong-su, Director of the Gyeonggi Province Fair Economy Bureau, stated, "Through this awareness survey, we were able to confirm the wishes of residents wanting improved consumer choice and right to know during auto repairs," and added, "We will work closely with relevant organizations to activate the certified alternative parts market and push forward policies to protect consumers' part selection rights."

This awareness survey was conducted via internet survey method, with a sampling error of ±3.1%p at a 95% confidence level.