Ravindu is arguably one of the most inept and chaotic dealerships that Toyota has in India. My experiences with them -- including after futile complaints to Toyota Kirloskar Motor Co. -- leaves me wondering just how serious are both Toyota and Ravindu about selling cars.
I bought a Toyota Corolla some months ago. The problems started after I gave in my Corolla for it’s 2nd service.
Now, I’m a kinda hands-on sort of guy with regard to my car. Drive it myself, obsess over the car etc. So I like to talk to the service guys on exactly what was done on the car............
I report some problems with dashboard noise, poor radio reception etc. Normal problems, nothing serious. When I go to collect the car in the evening, I get the first shock. The service supervisor tells me that ’’The radio problem is reported by all Corolla owners..........we can’t do anything.........you please contact Panasonic.’’ I get pretty worked up and point out to him that having shelled out close to 12 lakhs on the car, I should not be talking to Panasonic, but they should.
I am promised a call back ’’in 2-3 days.’’ Predictably, nothing happens. In the meantime, I notice that not only has the dashboard noise intensified, I also have the steering progressively stiffening up on me. I take the car back, and get it fixed -- this time with a new service supervisor.
This time, I’m, told that
The steering tightened up due to wrong adjustments during wheel alignment
The dashboard noise was because some clamp was not tightened
Nothing can be done about the radio (contact Panasonic............)
More screaming, and a letter to the MD of Toyota Kirloskar Motors results in a call from Ravindu asking me if I was ’’happy’’ with the servicing. Then they collect the car from my office and replace the radio and the antenna.
It is returned to me in an absolutely filthy condition -- finger prints on all glasses, interiors smelling of diesel smoke etc. etc. From the next day (after the replacement of the stereo), the dashboard noises start up again.
Right now, I have another call out to Ravindu (whom else do I take my new car to?) to get the dashboard noises fixed. God only knows what new problems my poor Corolla will have when it returns!
All this points to an abject systems failure at Ravindu. Apparently, they have neither a quality policy, or a service checklist, nor any supervision whatsoever of their mechanics.
What makes it shocking is that this is a dealership allegedly owned by a member of the Kirloskar family -- joint-venture partners in Toyota Kirloskar Motors.
What is even more shocking is that Toyota Kirloskar Motors has maintained a studied silence on the issue. All that I have from them, is a letter referring me back to the dealership.
In short guys, while the Corolla is an absolute delight to drive, the ownership experience is absolutely terrible. It’s a pity that the Corolla is made by Toyota, and not by some other company.