In a recent case from Hyderabad, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-II has ruled against car manufacturer Toyota, ordering them to compensate a customer, Ramesh Mali, with Rs. 5 lakh along with a full refund of Rs. 45.57 lakh. Mali had booked a Toyota Fortuner SUV from an authorized dealership in January 2022 but never received the vehicle despite taking a loan of Rs. 45 lakh for it. Despite repeated reminders, Toyota failed to deliver the car, leaving Mali paying monthly EMIs without ownership of the vehicle.
Toyota’s defense, claiming the dealership’s closure as a reason for dismissal, was refuted by the commission, which held both the dealer and the manufacturer accountable for the issue, citing deficiencies in service and unfair trade practices. This incident underscores the prevalence of consumer disputes in India’s automotive sector, where customers often resort to legal action when faced with issues like non-delivery or faulty products. Such cases highlight the importance of robust consumer protection measures and accountability in the automotive industry.
