These issues with Purolator are nothing new. Five years ago I wrote to Mann-Hummel about a filter that I had bought for a Ford Escort. The Mann filter was simply a relabeled Purolator and I wrote to ask why.
This initial e-mail started a relationship with one of the executives at Mann-Hummel working with the Bosch/Mann/Purolator merger/cash infusion deal that was taking place at the time. So I took the opportunity to send pictures of the numerous failed Purolator filters that I had personal experience with.
My contact at Mann noted that these failures were not favorable and that they would be looked into. Keep in mind that this was five years ago!! Throughout our dialogue it became known that I preferred Mann-Hummel products for my European vehicles (VW and BMW) but was very disappointed in the idea of 'badge engineered' filters. The whole relabelling thing was an effort for Mann and Bosch to gain in-roads into the North American market.
The only positive action that came from my efforts was that I was sent two entire filter packages for my then-new VW Jetta. I was give oil filters, air filters, cabin air filters and fuel filters - enough to last me several years.
My contact was later transferred to Russia to work in their market and today has left the Mann-Hummel company and has moved back to Munich where he works for another automotive supplier.
So this whole Purolator issue is nothing new and unfortunately the company has no intention of improving their quality. The filters sell and return a sizeable profit to the company and it's a product in which the quality is practically impossible to verify so they have no desire to change.
For me, the last filter I will ever choose for anything I own will be a Fayetteville, NC, produced Purolator (to include relabeled MANN). I think that jeopardizing their reputation (regarding Mann-Hummel) is the dumbest thing in the world that a company could ever do.
