Grand Vitara is E20 compatible, says Maruti Suzuki after consumer court order
New Delhi, July 16
Leading carmaker Maruti Suzuki India on Thursday said that its Grand Vitara is an E20-compatible vehicle and the company would appeal against the order passed by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Raipur, directing the automaker to replace a customer's vehicle.
The Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ordered Maruti Suzuki to replace a Grand Vitara Hybrid sold to a customer from Chhattisgarh with a new E20-compatible model after the consumer alleged that the vehicle developed technical problems due to E20 petrol being used as a fuel.
The Commission gave the car major a 45-day deadline to replace the vehicle or otherwise to pay the full refund of Rs 20.5 lakh including the expense for registration and insurance to the customer.
However, Maruti Suzuki argued that the vehicle involved in the case, was already E20-compatible and was fully capable of operating on E20 fuel, as disclosed in the owner's manual. The car was reported to be sold to the customer in June 2024 but was manufactured in January 2023.
Maruti Suzuki has stated that there was evidence of contamination in the fuel collected from the customer's vehicle and that several other relevant facts had not been reflected in the Commission's order.
"We have learnt of an order by the 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 car in this case was an E20 compatible car, fully equipped to handle E20 fuel and so disclosed in the owner's manual. There is evidence of contamination in the fuel collected from the customer's vehicle. Several other relevant facts have also not been reflected in the order," the statement added.
The car manufacturer said it would appeal against the district consumer commission's ruling in the case.
"Maruti Suzuki will take necessary steps to challenge the impugned order before the appropriate higher forum in accordance with law," the company said.
The case has assumed significance amid the ongoing discussions around ethanol-blended fuels and vehicle compatibility. Auto companies have maintained that vehicles certified as E20-compatible are designed to safely operate on fuel containing up to 20 per cent ethanol, provided the fuel supplied conforms to prescribed quality standards.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Honestly, this is why I prefer Toyota hybrid tech. At least they test things properly. E20 is fine but if the fuel quality in smaller cities is poor, then what? Customer got a lemon — plain and simple. Maruti should just replace it and move on. Why drag a consumer through court for 20 lakh car? 🤦♀️
Interesting case. In the US, similar issues arise with ethanol blends in older vehicles. The key here is whether the fuel was contaminated as MS claims or if it's a design flaw. I think the customer has a right to be frustrated — paying full price for a hybrid that can't handle standard Indian fuel is ridiculous. Let the higher court decide.
Maruti's argument about fuel contamination seems like a weak excuse. The burden of proof should be on them to show where the contamination came from. Also, selling a 2023 manufactured car in 2024 without full disclosure is not fair play. Customer should get a new car or full refund. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
As someone who studied automotive engineering, E20 compatibility isn't just about the fuel itself — it's about the whole fuel system: seals, gaskets, injectors, etc. If Grand Vitara is truly E20 compatible then MS should prove it by showing their test certificates. Customer deserves clarity, not just PR statements.
Typical Maruti behavior — blame the fuel, blame the customer. But honestly, who checks the ethanol percentage in petrol at a random pump
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