Thirteen is believed to be an
unlucky number. Now this could be a myth. But there were definitely 13
disgruntled customers who had almost given up hope on the Kawaski motorcycles
they had booked at a dealership in Navi Mumbai area. But then the 13 finally
became lucky when India Kawasaki Motors Pvt. Ltd (IKM), a 100 per cent
subsidiary of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Japan, delivered 13 motorcycles to
these customers.
The customers had been waiting
eagerly for more than six months. The customers had booked and paid a full
amount for the motorcycles to SNK Palm Beach, Navi Mumbai who was IKM’s
Principal Dealer for Mumbai (now ex-dealer) from June 15, 2015. The dealership was
terminated on September 1, 2016 as SNK failed to deliver on its commitments
towards its customers.
IKM was informed that SNK had
been collecting money from customers for motorcycles without placing orders
with IKM. When SNK realised that it could not deliver the motorcycles to the
customers, SNK started refunding payments to the customers with post-dated
cheques. Few of the customers’ cheques were eventually dishonoured several
times.
Customers had paid money in
full to SNK and many had taken loans to buy motorcycles, who continued to pay
the bank EMIs, which SNK seemed to have no intention of making refunds or
deliver the motorbikes.
Tarun Khanna, Senior Manager,
IKM commented, “We are happy to finally have a closure to this by receiving the
necessary approvals to deliver our motorcycles to our inconvenienced customers
who have been patient with us.” IKM has had numerous meetings with SNK Palm
Beach to rectify the problem; however, despite repeated promises and
assurances, SNK failed to honour its commitments. He further added, “The
delivery of motorcycles or refunding payments’ to the customers’ is solely the
responsibility of SNK. IKM took it upon itself, as a gesture of goodwill, to
deliver the motorcycles through its dealer network. IKM is committed to its
customers and is dedicated to develop its business and investments in India”.
Fuzail Amin Qureshi, one of
the customers, who received his Kawasaki Z800 commented, “We have invested our
savings in these motorcycles and have waited for 5-months and it’s a positive
move taken by IKM to take it on them and deliver our motorcycles”.
IKM will also file a criminal
case against SNK and will pursue this matter with the help of its lawyers and
the Indian judicial system. IKM would like to assure its customers that they
are committed to them and it has always been their endeavour to provide the
best possible experience.
Source: India Kawasaki Motor (IKM)