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Exposed: Under-the-Table Payments for Swift Car Deliveries


In the bustling arena of automobile sales, patience traditionally rewards customers with the purchase of their dream vehicle. Many sought-after car models come with considerable waiting periods, extending several months, as eager buyers join a queue that seems to test their tolerance. However, it has come to light that the wait for some of these high-demand vehicles can mysteriously disappear with the right price.

An investigative sting operation by Zee News, dubbed Operation Car-Nama, has pulled back the curtain on an unscrupulous practice by certain car showrooms. These dealerships, belonging to reputable automobile giants Maruti and Hyundai, have been caught red-handed in several cities across India, engaging in a money-hungry scheme.

Senior staff at some showrooms have been identified in the sting operation, on video secretly shot, trading quick car deliveries for extra payments ranging between Rs 70,000 and Rs 80,000. This malpractice ensures instantaneous handing over of keys to cars that typically have waiting periods between 6 to 12 months.

This shocking revelation was the result of a meticulous undercover effort that spanned five Indian states – Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand. The Zee News team, equipped with concealed cameras and posing as potential customers, ventured into various dealerships and unearthed the grim face of dishonest business practices.

The damning evidence shows the transaction’s ease: a simple exchange of cash enables the buyer to drive away with a vehicle that, under ordinary circumstances, would have required a gruelling wait. Such conduct not only undermines the integrity of the car buying process but also defrauds customers who choose to abide by the rules and await their turn.

While the car industry is known for its competitive sales environment, resorting to this level of corruption stains the reputation of the involved showrooms and the brands they represent. The apparent disregard for fairness and transparency displayed by these dealerships raises significant questions about the oversight and enforcement of corporate policies by automobile companies.

The highlighted video, indicative of Operation Car-Nama’s findings, can be viewed online, offering a glimpse into the conniving strategies employed by showroom staff to manipulate distribution for profit. Interested individuals can watch the footage which reveals the stark reality of customer exploitation.

Customers have expressed outrage and disappointment upon learning of these dishonest tactics, which privilege the impatient and well-off, while leaving the average buyer in the dust. The impact of these revelations could resonate through the automobile market, potentially influencing future customer loyalty and trust towards dealers and their associated car manufacturers.

As of now, it remains to be seen what actions will be taken by Maruti and Hyundai in response to Operation Car-Nama. Will they take measures to uproot such corrupt practices and restore the integrity of their dealership networks? Customers across the country are keenly watching.

In related news, an affirmation of the social turbulence that can ensue from discord and disarray—in stark contrast to the orderly queues defied by the uncovered scheme—the state of Haryana has recently imposed a suspension on mobile internet services in Sohna, Manesar, and Pataudi. This drastic measure follows the registration of 44 FIRs in connection to ongoing violence, highlighting the gravity of organized regulations which, if circumvented, can lead to widespread unrest.

For further details and to keep abreast on whether transparency will reclaim its rightful place within car showroom corridors, viewers are encouraged to follow the developing story closely.