Mangalore: Nestle’s Maggie Noodles isn’t the only dangerous goods in the Indian market. Have you noticed that Hyundai cars catch fire ever so often – whether on the road or in parking? Is our government neglecting to safeguard the lives of Indian vehicle-owners by pampering multinational companies? Why is the Transport Commissioner of each state passing such cars – proven dangerous on Indian roads — to be sold to unwary customers?

In a scathing open letter to Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari sent on Monday, Mr Prakash Rao (98452 13305, pkrao51@hotmail.com), former managing director of Bhutan-based Tashi Group, says, “Recall of goods due to manufacturing defects is unheard of in India. Multinationals like Hyundai Motor India Ltd. are knowingly selling faulty products to Indian customers, putting our lives at risk. They believe that the Indian government does not take action to protect its citizens – and earlier governments have proven them right! Will they be proven right again by Modi-sarkar?”

Rao’s outrage was triggered by Hyundai Fluidic Verna Car (KA-19-MC-5246), parked in his sister’s car shed in Mangalore, catching fire on Independence Day last year. Despite lengthy correspondence, the company has not revealed the contents of its inspection report as to the cause of the fire. In its replies, Hyundai blandly states, “Your vehicle was inspected by our team at our workshop Advaith Motors on 2/09/2014 & 3/09/2014. Accordingly we would like to confirm to you that the reported concern in your car is not due to manufacturing defect. Please don’t have any apprehensions in this regard.”

The burnt car in Lata Rao’s car-shed.

The charred engine.

Translated from officialese to plain English, it means, “We are not taking any responsibility for this mess. You are on your own, Mr Consumer.” Rao’s exchange of letters with HMIL can be read here: http://tinyurl.com/Hyundai-Verna-letters

Rao is disturbed. “My daughter in Delhi has bought a Hyundai Fluidic Verna and my daughter in Mumbai has bought a Hyundai Elantra on my advice, and now I realize my confidence in Hyundai vehicles was totally unjustified and therefore I now fear for my children’s safety,” he laments.

Rao has found that he is not alone in his plight. His letter to the Road Transport Minister contains a dozen examples of various Hyundai models catching fire in various Indian cities.