A consumer court in Karachi has fined M/s. MG Motors Pakistan Rs.500,000 for causing monetary loss, agony, discomfort, mental suffering including anxiety and depression to its customer.
This is likely to sound alarm bells in the corporate offices of many local auto manufacturers as such judgments are not passed frequently in Pakistan.
The Story Behind
A complainant named Arsalan Riaz had booked MG HS Exclusive Trophy Grade with full payment in June 2021. He was promised delivery in October of the same year. However, when no delivery was made, the complainant sent legal notice to the company in November 2021 to which the company did not reply. The complainant then pursued this matter in a consumer court in Karachi.
The Court Decision
In addition to what has already been mentioned above, the Court further directed the auto manufacturer to deliver the vehicle to the complainant within 30 days of the judgment or return the payment in full plus 15 percent increment per year till the realization of the amount. In case, if MG fails to comply with the court orders, the company can be imprisoned for at least one month or as much as 3 years or fined for at least Rs.50,000 or both.
The Court further slapped a fine of Rs.50,000 on MG Pakistan for providing faulty services to the complainant.
Honda and others to get sleepless nights
Honda Pakistan which has recently launched the all-new Honda Civic 2022, is said to be delivering its two top variants in February 2023. If the company fails to honor its commitments to its customers, it too could be penalized by the courts.
What do you make of this news? Truly unheard of, isn’t it? After all, such judgments are commonly passed in western countries and seldom here. Do you think we are entering an era where customers will be the king and not the auto manufacturer? Let us know.
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