Azeez Folorunso/
Korean automobile giant, Hyundai Motors, has been dragged before a Lagos High Court over the sales of allegedly defective vehicles to a firm called Starcom Media.
According to Starcom Media, the car purchased from Hyundai might be among those that failed safety test in USA.
Starcom Media told how it has purchased a brand new Hyundai Grand Santa Fe Luxury vehicle on October 5, 2016.
Starcom Media told how it has purchased a brand new Hyundai Grand Santa Fe Luxury vehicle on October 5, 2016.
The firm claimed that barely six days after purchase, the vehicle with registration number LND 996 EH and VIN KMHSN81EDFU097184, developed some problems including brake failure, an auto hold light appearing on dashboard which goes on and off at intervals, and a loose bolt on the rear left wheel of the car.
Counsel to Starcom Media, Wale Ogunade of Wale Ogunade Chambers said that his clients were “suspicious ab initio on noticing that the mileage on the dashboard read 1,800km, suggesting that the vehicle might have been previously used by a third party in Nigeria.
Following refusal of Hyundai Motors to accept responsibility, Starcom Media opted for legal action. In suit LSW/11-16/130/W1 filed before Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse, the company prayed for a total refund of the purchase money.
Hyundai Motors, although initially denied culpability, claiming to have conducted extensive pre-delivery checks on every component part of the vehicle and that all were found to be in perfect condition before handing the said vehicle over to the customer, later agreed to a nine item terms of settlement.
Hyundai Motors, among others, accepted carrying out service of the vehicle for two years or upon the vehicle attaining 40000km. The agreement was signed by parties on March 23, 2017, by representatives of the two companies.
Meanwhile, contrary to the terms of agreement, the said vehicle was not delivered to the company until April 19, 2017, a clear 20 days after the promised delivery date.
Counsel to Starcom Media, Wale Ogunade of Wale Ogunade Chambers said that his clients were “suspicious ab initio on noticing that the mileage on the dashboard read 1,800km, suggesting that the vehicle might have been previously used by a third party in Nigeria.
Following refusal of Hyundai Motors to accept responsibility, Starcom Media opted for legal action. In suit LSW/11-16/130/W1 filed before Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse, the company prayed for a total refund of the purchase money.
Hyundai Motors, although initially denied culpability, claiming to have conducted extensive pre-delivery checks on every component part of the vehicle and that all were found to be in perfect condition before handing the said vehicle over to the customer, later agreed to a nine item terms of settlement.
Hyundai Motors, among others, accepted carrying out service of the vehicle for two years or upon the vehicle attaining 40000km. The agreement was signed by parties on March 23, 2017, by representatives of the two companies.
Meanwhile, contrary to the terms of agreement, the said vehicle was not delivered to the company until April 19, 2017, a clear 20 days after the promised delivery date.
Similarly, less than a month after the delivery on May 17, 2017, the brake problem reoccurred, suggesting that the issue with the car might be more fundamental than initially envisaged.
Barrister Ogunade further said that the development was symptomatic of how Nigerians are ripped off by foreign companies operating within the country.
Barrister Ogunade further said that the development was symptomatic of how Nigerians are ripped off by foreign companies operating within the country.
He said, “This is not possible in South Korea and Hyundai knows this. That category of vehicles has been rejected, even in South Korea, but somehow they found their way into Nigeria.
“Furthermore, in purchasing a vehicle of this price attracts at least six months warranty or a refund if found defective. Unfortunately, in this case, all attempts by our client to get a refund, replacement or total repair has proved abortive. The vehicle has since been parked with its value depreciating by the day.”
“Furthermore, in purchasing a vehicle of this price attracts at least six months warranty or a refund if found defective. Unfortunately, in this case, all attempts by our client to get a refund, replacement or total repair has proved abortive. The vehicle has since been parked with its value depreciating by the day.”