Consumer panel orders Maruti Suzuki to replace car in first E20 fuel dispute; company to appeal

Synopsis

A pivotal consumer commission decision requires Maruti Suzuki to exchange a customer's car, citing concerns over E20 fuel compatibility linked to a government initiative. However, Maruti Suzuki has dismissed the ruling, contending that their vehicle is indeed compatible, and is gearing up to challenge the decision in a superior court. This case reveals the broader issues surrounding vehicles' preparedness for the transition to E20 fuel.

Mumbai: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Raipur, has directed Maruti Suzuki India to replace a customer's vehicle with a new E20-compatible model. The order marks the first known instance of a consumer successfully dragging a carmaker before a consumer forum over alleged issues related to E20 fuel compatibility, a key element of the government's ethanol-blending programme.

Maruti Suzuki, however, rejected the findings and said the vehicle involved in the case was already fully compatible with E20 fuel.

"We have learnt of an order by the Hon'ble District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Raipur, wherein Maruti Suzuki has been directed to replace the customer's vehicle with a new E20 compatible vehicle," the company said in a statement.

The automaker said the car in question was "fully equipped to handle E20 fuel" and that this was clearly disclosed in the owner's manual. It further said there was evidence of fuel contamination in the sample collected from the customer's vehicle and that "several other relevant facts have also not been reflected in the order."

Maruti Suzuki said it would challenge the ruling before a higher forum. "Maruti Suzuki will take necessary steps to challenge the impugned order before the appropriate higher forum in accordance with law," the company said.

The company reiterated that it remains committed to quality, safety and customer satisfaction through robust engineering, processes and systems.

The ruling comes amid wider debate around the transition to E20 fuel, with automakers and policymakers debating vehicle readiness, fuel quality and implementation challenges as India expands the use of 20% ethanol-blended petrol.