Bike maker and dealer fined for refusal of service, Auto News, ET Auto

<p>The complainants purchased cruiser bikes for INR 2.9 lakh each.</p>
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The Ernakulam District Consumer Redressal Commission has ordered a bicycle manufacturer and dealer to compensate the complainants for the price, damages and legal costs for refusing after-sales service and failing to make available the necessary spare parts on the market.

The order followed a petition filed by Prashanth V and Jaichandra Menon, residents of Ernakulam. A complaint has been filed against Kanif Motors at Edappally and New Delhi-based UM Lohia Two Wheelers Pvt Ltd.

The complainants purchased cruiser bikes for INR 2.9 lakh each. From the date of delivery, the motorcycles were subject to various complaints, including starting problems, headlight failure, abnormal noises and overheating. Despite regular maintenance and complaints filed, the problems remain unresolved.

The complainants believed that the use of the bicycles was unsafe. Subsequently, the second respondent refused to provide the service. By the eighth service, the necessary parts were no longer available on the market. This happened during the warranty period. Even though a manufacturing defect was noted, no effort was made by the respondents to correct it.

The dealer informed the court that the real problem was a manufacturing defect. In the meantime, the establishment itself has been closed and a complaint has been filed with the police. They said the dealership was not responsible for defects caused by manufacturing defects and that the manufacturer had to make it right.

“By making spare parts unavailable on the market, the product becomes unusable. This is an unfair commercial practice. Furthermore, it violates the consumer’s right to repair and use,” the company said. judiciary.

The respondents either have to replace the defective bikes with new ones or refund INR 2,09,750 each towards the cost of the bike. Besides, they have to pay INR 50,000 each as compensation and INR 10,000 each as court costs within 30 days, the court ordered.