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India consumer court orders Maruti Suzuki to replace car or pay damages
The ruling involves mandatory E20 ethanol-blended fuel, a policy India uses to cut crude imports and emissions.
An Indian consumer court has ordered Maruti Suzuki to provide a new replacement for a customer’s Grand Vitara SUV or pay 2 million Indian rupees in damages, after the customer alleged that mandatory E20 ethanol-blended fuel damaged the vehicle, according to SCMP Economy citing Reuters.
The case was heard in the state of Chhattisgarh, where the court said the manufacturer must either replace the car or compensate the customer financially, raising the stakes for automakers tied to India’s ethanol-blended fuel rollout.
The E20 programme is designed to reduce crude oil imports and lower emissions, but Reuters reports it has become a major political challenge, with critics arguing the policy was introduced too quickly and without offering motorists meaningful alternative fuel choices.
Legal experts cited by SCMP Economy said the decision could be closely watched and may encourage other vehicle owners who believe the fuel has caused problems to seek compensation.
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