In a brazen revelation, a recent sting operation by Zee News, named Operation Car-Nama, has shed light on the dark practices within automobile showrooms in India. Despite the high demand and long waiting periods for certain popular car models, a well-coordinated network of car dealers has been exploiting eager customers by demanding extra money to expedite the delivery of these vehicles. The uncovering of these suspect practices has brought to light how some customers, under the pressure of waiting for extended periods, are being lured into paying hefty sums to receive their cars much sooner.
The high demand for certain car models has led to prolonged waiting periods stretching even to a full year in some cases. Customers typically book these cars months in advance, hoping to eventually drive home in their desired vehicle. However, Operation Car-Nama has exposed an alarming trend where these extended waiting periods can be bypassed with the right amount of cash. Through this sting operation, the Zee News team uncovered that several showrooms across multiple cities, including Maruti and Hyundai dealerships, are demanding between Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000 for instant delivery of cars.
The investigative team at Zee News visited car showrooms in five states: Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand. The findings were consistent across these locations; senior staff members at several showrooms were recorded offering immediate car deliveries in exchange for substantial extra payments. This practice not only challenges the fairness of their business operations but also questions the integrity of the dealerships involved.
In Delhi, the team revealed particularly disturbing details. A customer looking for a high-demand car with a typical waiting period of 8-10 months was offered immediate delivery after agreeing to pay an additional Rs 75,000. Given the extensive waiting list and the customer’s desperation, the unauthorized demand for extra money was rationalized by the staff as a ‘facilitation fee’. It became evident that this scenario was far from isolated but rather a commonplace occurrence across the nation’s capital.
UP, another vast state, echoed similar murmurings. Here, the penetration of this illicit practice seemed widespread. Senior dealers confidentially admitted to the sting operation team that this method was a win-win situation for the dealership. As much as it ensured satisfied customers, it also added a lucrative income stream over and above their official earnings.
. The extra money, often unaccounted for, flowed directly into the pockets of unscrupulous dealership employees.
In the states of Haryana and Jharkhand, the Zee News team encountered further shocking experiences. Customers were quoted different rates depending on the car model and the urgency of the delivery. One customer in Jharkhand faced a demand of Rs 80,000 over the standard charges to skip the queue and get his hands on a car with a 12-month waiting period. These so-called additional facilitation fees were communicated with such casualness that it seemed an entrenched part of the showroom sales tactics.
In Uttarakhand, the situation was no different. As in the other states, the Zee News team was greeted by dealership representatives who had little hesitation in directly stating the ‘price’ for jumping the waiting list. A senior representative elaborated this extra charge as a token for faster service, aiming to justify the exploitation under the guise of providing an advantageous service to the paying customers.
The sting operation by Zee News, titled Operation Car-Nama, has brought a significant scam to the forefront, revealing how systematic and widespread this malfeasance is within many car dealerships. Customers, who usually put their trust in these official brand representatives, are being manipulated and financially strained. These fraudulent activities not only put immense financial burdens on customers but also distort the credibility and ethical standing of the automotive brands.
This revelation has led to significant public outcry and demands for stringent actions against such malpractices. Customers are advocating for immediate legal actions against the showrooms involved and are demanding that auto manufacturers take responsibility. The integrity of automotive sales and customer trust is severely at stake, urging regulatory bodies to step in and enforce stringent regulations to curtail such unethical practices.
In the wake of the sting operation, many customers are coming forward with their stories, further stressing the need for transparent and honest dealings from automobile showrooms. It remains to be seen what steps the automotive industry and the regulatory authorities will take to clean up the system and offer justice to the swindled customers.
For further understanding, viewers are encouraged to watch the complete coverage of Operation Car-Nama on Zee News’s official platforms, bringing additional insights into this staggering investigation.
