It’s been less than a year since the last Ford rolled out the local production line. However, some customers have expressed disappointment at how things are being handled post the carmaker’s exit from the market. Renowned standup comedian Jeeveshu Ahluwalia is the latest to join the fray
On 20 July 2022, the last locally-produced Ford car rolled off the carmaker’s manufacturing plant at Sholinganallur, off Chennai. The American carmaker’s decision to exit our market came after a 25-year-long struggle to establish a firm foothold. In spite of its exit, the company promised top-notch after sales services to all its customers for the foreseeable future. Several past accounts of owners reflect the carmaker’s attempt to ensure its customers aren’t left high and dry. Recently, though, we’ve seen some of the customers taking to social media to express their dissatisfaction. Standup comedian, Jeeveshu Ahluwalia is the latest to be upset with the after-sales service of the defunct manufacturer.
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Jeeveshu Ahluwalia Unhappy With Ford Aftersales
Taking to Facebook, the comedian narrated his experience of dealing with Harpreet Ford, Gurgaon. He writes how he wished to renew the extended warranty of his Ford vehicle and initiated the process a full 3 months before expiration . Finally, after prolonged delay, the authorised dealer responded to his request with a new quote with a 20% uptick. Here’s what he has to say about the entire episode –
The Ford Customers are suffering because the company closed down and the only saving grace was the dealerships that were ought to step up in their absence and this is where Harpreet FORD has dropped the ball. I had reached out to the Harpreet FORD close to three months back asking that my “extended warranty” is going to expire in June 2023 and I would like to renew it and the information kept delayed for one reason or the other from the said dealership, I kept following up and now then it is about to lapse, I was told that the price was hiked by 20% from May 2023 onwards.
I asked why was this information not shared with me earlier by the dealership representative but what can answer such as “That employee doesn’t work here anymore” can offer. I can’t understand the logic behind treating the only loyal customers (few of us left) this way gets them and why in the world would you even increase any costing when you are not selling a single screw anymore. I don’t have much expectations from this post, it can be either pay up 20% increased cost or hope and pray that nothing goes wrong with the car in case of no extended warranty.
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What We Think
Ford customers in India were assured service assistance for a decade from the carmaker wrapping up its local operations. Currently, the carmaker has service operations in 240 cities, a small drop from the earlier coverage across 280 cities. Moreover, at the time of leaving, the company froze the prices for spare parts as well as the consumable for the next five years. Even after many months of the brand’s discontinuation, we had many Ford owners write to us about the unfazed service experience. Of late, though, there seems to be disappointment among some of the owners. The dissatisfaction expressed by the comedian is the latest in the line of a handful of such episodes.
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While we’re happy that the cost of the spare parts has been fixed for some years to come, a significant increment in the cost of extended warranty is sure to pinch the owners. Moreover, the lack of promptness is another factor that can impact the overall experience. Clearly, there are many Ford owners who aren’t willing to part ways with their steeds. They hope to keep the vehicles in good shape for years to come. In such a scenario, top-notch after-sales is a pre-requisite. We hope Ford Motor Company takes note of this situation and serves its customers flawlessly in the years to come.
