[Resolved]  Toyota Corolla Altis — SECOND AND FINAL COMPLAINT REGARDING CHEATING AND HARASSMENT BY TOYOTA

Address:

South Delhi, Delhi

Sir,
I bought a Toyota Corolla Altis, top end version (manual transmission) bearing registration No. DL3C BD 5705 on 17.02.2012 from Galaxy Toyota, 137-138, Bhishm Pitamaha, Marg, Kotla Mubarak Pur Road, New Delhi-110003. That the very next day after delivery of my vehicle, I noticed that all the outer metallic body parts of the vehicle were totally rusted. I immediately complained to the dealer and after hectic persuasion, they agreed to replace the metallic parts including the logo et cetera. I insisted on a new vehicle since one day old vehicle could not have such a major rusting problem. However, the officials at the showroom persuaded me to keep the vehicle. Thereafter, after about a month the boot of the vehicle did not open from inside through the lever and had to be opened through the remote after shutting the engine of the car. I may add that I am a practising lawyer in the Supreme Court and at the time of entry to the Supreme court, the boot of the car is checked. On account of the fact that the engine of the car had to be shut off completely in order to open the boot, there is a constant traffic chaos at the time of my vehicle's entry to the Supreme Court, everyday. I complained to the dealer and my car was taken away by the dealer and sent to the workshop for two days. The workshop informed me after two days that they could not do much about the matter and that it was a security feature introduced in the new Corolla Altis. I was aghast at the explanation as there are at least fifty Coralla Altis cars in the Supreme Court. Till date, I have to shut the engine of my car and to open it’s boot through the remote at the time of entry to the Supreme Court. However, due to paucity of time, I have had to compromise. However, my miseries were not to end and I noticed that the rear bumper of my car started looking patchy. It was evident that the rear bumper had been repainted and the patches had started to emerge. Also, to my utter shock and dismay, I noticed that the black paint at the edges of both the side mirrors had started to peel off. The black paint of the side mirrors fall off every time the mirror is opened and closed. The black paint on the side of the mirror appears to have a permanent coat of dust as the paint has completely worn out. Also, the black plastic part attached to the bonnet has lost its colour and has completely become white and discoloured. I approached my dealer, Galaxy Toyota, Kotla and requested them to take care of my concerns. However, I was flatly told that they had sold the car to me and that it was my problem now. I am shocked and amazed at this attitude of the dealer. Imagine if these dealers can cheat a person who knows the law, what would happen to a common man. After my first complaint the officials of Toyota came in my absence and without my permission used chemicals to take off the patches from the rear bumper of my car. In view of the above, I request that urgent steps be taken in the matter. I further reserve my right to initiate appropriate criminal proceedings including cheating and breach of trust apart from other civil remedies.

Anupam Lal Das
Advocate, Supreme Court- [protected]