I purchased a Maruti Alto LX Model from Bimal Automobiles, Bangalore on Nov 7th. As per the sales executive I was offered the following deal on the car:

ALTO LX Metallic: 317151 (Including Road TAX, Registration facilitation Charges, Insurance)
Corporate Discount: Rs. 2000
Maruti Festival Discount: Rs. 12500
Additional Benefits: Basic Accessories – consisting of Foot Mat, Mud Flap, Small idol & Car Perfume bottle + free Rs. 2000 worth of accessories from the in-house accessory shop.

I got the delivery of the car late night on Nov 7th & was told to get those accessories fitted as per the deal next day. As this was a Diwali weekend I was not able to go to the car dealer to get those accessories installed. I approached the car dealer on Monday Nov 12th & during the routine discussion asked them to make me understand the new iCATS system which I had assumed was installed in my car. Then to my utter surprise I found out that my car didn’t had this feature at all. As per the initial response from the dealer’s sales executive I was told that Alto LX Model does not come with the iCATS but when I tried to verify details on the car brochure they stepped back & started offering me a MGA basic Central car locking system with a engine immobilizer in lieu of the iCATS. As per them this is equivalent of iCATS & they have got instructions from Maruti to install this in non-iCATS models.

Since, I have paid for the iCATS model only I declined this “in lieu” arrangement. My request for an replacement car has been initially denied. As per them they need to ascertain this issue internally as well as with Maruti and will update me with the outcome within next few days.
In the meanwhile, I would like to voice out my concern about the utter irresponsibility on part of the car dealer in handling my new car purchase as well as providing false information. As a customer I was never informed about the absence of the iCATS system during the car delivery nor afterwards. It was during my investigation that this issue got highlighted which clearly displays there ill intentions. Following are the interfaces from Bimal who are interacting with me in this issue:
1. Madhu .K - Sales Executive
2. Satish - Manager
3. Anand.P

Currently, I have returned the car to Bimal Auto Agency & have got the delivery receipt.

I have taken this car on a Car loan from ICICI bank (85% Loan) while remaining paid by me in cash. Even if I don’t count the interest lost on my hard earned money but I would still be paying interest to the bank for a car which is not usable under the present conditions & has a factory issue from Day 1. So I would request the concern authorities in Maruti to direct the dealer for immediate replacement as per the initial deal offered to me & also pay me in the interest on the full amount paid for the car till the time I don’t get my replacement car.
Being a satisfied Maruti user since last 12 years I never expected this kind of wrongful conduct from Maruti or its associates. Request you to look into this matter immediately & restore my faith in Maruti.

Thanks,

Anuj Varma