In Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil police received vital information which led them to what they are describing as a “clandestine luxury car factory”. The father and son team at the center of the action had been advertising their fake Lamborghinis and Ferraris social media.
The shop for the illegal venture, Autos Fibra, still has an instagram and YouTube even though disgruntled buyers have posted many negative reviews. When police raided the shop in Itajaí, they found six “Shamborghinis” and two “Fakaris”. The cars had officially been registers as “prototypes” but the presence of registered trademarks clearly makes them illegal under Brazilian law.
Legal Artisan Cars or Illegal Replicas
The cars contained in the shops could between $400,000-$800,000 if sold as actual production model Lamborghinis and Ferrarris. Apparently the counterfeit cars had very convincing exterior design but interior work that was more obviously not in line with luxury cars. The shop had made their prototype cars available for between $47,000-$66,000.
The cars seized each had motors coming from other vehicles such as theMitsubishi Eclipse, an Alfa Romeo and a Chevrolet Omega.Detective Angelo Fragelli explained the government’s case to The Guardian.
“The motors were much less powerful.The finishing depended on what the client could pay. It is a crime against intellectual property because of the use of the logos and the use of the industrial designs.The cars were documented as “prototypes”. But there are indications of fraud because you can’t register a homemade prototype car with a registered car logo.”
Fake Lamborghinis and Ferraris at a Fraction of their True Prices
When asked for comment, a spokesperson for Lamborghini did not wish to press charges but did not appreciate the “unlawful use of rights”, “the risk for customers and the public in general” created by producing replica cars lacking “basic safety features”. Ferrari has not responded.
Auto Fibres Vows to Fight their Charges
Autos Fibres proclaims their innocence and desire to fight the issue in count. They believe that the attack against them is “sensationalist” and “rotten” as the police seek to “denigrate” the father and son company.
“We did not close. We are working normally. There are cars being made for customers there and our commitment is to finish these cars,” said the owner of Autos Fibres, claiming 25 years of successful business in his area.
The team feels that they are selling “artisanal cars” legal under Brazilian law because they do not feature exact enough duplication of key intellectual property. For now, the government does not agree.
Though no arrests have been made, Detective Fragelli confirmed that charges against the team would be brought.
Source: The Guardian