Honda India has served a legal notice on India’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki, over advertisements claiming that its SX4 sedan is bigger than the Honda’s segment leader City and the former is loaded with more features. The notice was served on January 13.
The Maruti ad claims that City’s entry-level model does not have an integrated stereo as standard equipment and that the car is shorter and smaller in size compared with the SX4. The advertisement, Honda alleges, makes inaccurate, incomplete and distorted statements with an intention to mislead customers that amounts to unfair trade practice. Honda alleges that the ad is an attempt to discredit the new City, launched in November last year.
“We are examining the issue legally and will take suitable action as and when required,” said a Maruti spokesperson.
It is the largest segment after the small car segment that dominates the Indian market in terms of sales. Honda has asked Maruti to withdraw the advertisements immediately and has hinted at seeking damages. Honda executives maintained that they were awaiting Maruti’s response on the issue before initiating any action, including suing for monetary compensation.
Loading ...
January 21, 2009 at 11:10 am
Really poor behaviour from Maruti. I has really appreciated their conduct when Hyundai started all this similar stupid ranting against their swift and they maintained their dignity but now they are doing the same stupidity. Its high time the carmakers realised the meaning of clean image.
January 21, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Being an owner of a wonderful car like City, i really think that even if Honda didn’t file the complaint, the car sales wouldn’t be affected. The performance speaks for itself…But its high time Indians realize that you cant get away with such petty acts when dealing with International Giants such as Honda, Toyota…
I remember when i was in 3rd grade, My dad used to make me choose between a very expensive toy and an inexpensive toy, my dad used to say that the cheaper toy was better than the expensive one…
I didn’t buy it, i cried till i got the expensive one.