In the competitive world of automotive sales, a car’s demand can significantly outpace its supply, leading to extensive waiting periods for consumers. This has become an increasingly common scenario, with certain high-demand vehicles amassing waiting periods stretching across several months, despite customers placing bookings well in advance. However, an undercover investigation by Zee News has unearthed a scandalous practice where some dealers are exploiting eager customers by offering immediate delivery of such vehicles for a substantial premium.
Dubbed “Operation Car-Nama” and spearheaded by Zee News, the investigation has exposed a number of showrooms—specifically those aligned with automotive giants Maruti and Hyundai—in various cities, where extra charges are being levied for what should be a standard service. Footage from the sting operation reveals senior showroom staff brazenly soliciting between Rs 70,000 and Rs 80,000 extra for the benefit of skipping the waitlist and receiving instant car delivery.
Typical waiting times for the most sought-after models can range from half a year to a full year. Contrary to these prolonged queues, the showrooms implicated in Zee News’ report boast the remarkable ability to make these same cars available within a mere day, given that customers are willing to pay over the odds. The investigative team set their sights across a swathe of the Indian subcontinent, visiting five states: Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand to collect evidence of this shady practice.
The findings of this operation have raised serious questions about the integrity of car showroom operations and the transparency of the vehicle purchasing process. It appears that rather than serving customers equitably based on an ordered queue, some dealerships prioritize profit over propriety, selectively bypassing the wait for those willing to furnish them with unlawful premiums.
This scandal not only puts a spotlight on the dubious tactics employed by certain sales operations but also highlights a broader issue within the automotive industry. The manipulation of waiting periods and unfair charging practices undermine consumer rights and erode trust in the market. Potential buyers are left to question the ethical standards of dealers and wonder whether the values of fair commerce are being upheld.
Amidst the outcry prompted by these revelations, Zee News has shared their damning footage across various social media platforms, including Twitter, where the underhanded dealings are introduced with a call to action for viewers to examine the evidence for themselves. The tweet accompanying the video, under the banner of DNA Scam with customers in car showrooms, includes a link to the shocking undercover video which forms the cornerstone of this investigation:
DNA Scam with customers in car showrooms @saurabhraajjainDNAWithSourabh | #OperationCARNAMA
For more videos, click here [link] pic.twitter.com/FuNvrNhigO
By bringing this issue to light, Zee News hopes to instigate a dialogue about the transparency of car sales and the treatment of customers within the automotive market. The expectation is for responsible authorities to take notice and for stringent measures to be implemented against those found guilty of such exploitative tactics. Consumers await a response that not only addresses the immediate fallout but also sets a precedent to deter future misconduct in a sector that many rely upon for fair and honest service.
