Consumer rights in the spotlight as Dodge defends its actions – customer crushes car with tank.

[Express]

Consumer rights in the spotlight as Dodge defends its actions

David McCowen
30 June, 2016


See link below for video



Dodge customers crush car with tank



Furious Australian owners of a problematic Dodge Journey have crushed their car underneath a tank to raise awareness of consumer rights.

Dodge customers Joe and Kate Masters decided to publicly destroy their family car following a series of mechanical and electrical issues with the vehicle.



Dodge customers Joe and Kate Masters crushed their car under a tank. Photo: Destroy My Jeep


Video of the event shows Kate Masters saying "you might think that we are a little nuts, but this decision was not made lightly", before describing the "pure arrogance" shown to them by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in Australia.

For its part, FCA refutes some of the Masters' claims, saying the couple shut off communications and would not allow the carmaker to inspect their vehicle. FCA says the 2010 Dodge Journey was serviced outside its dealer network and that the consumer rights crusaders did not work through processes established by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal or Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

While Joe Masters says "it's kind of baffling to try understand why Fiat Chrysler Australia simply refused to help us", the company's statement takes a very different view.



The customers feel they were mistreated by Dodge. Photo: Destroy My Jeep


"We had attempted to work proactively with this customer, offering free service work and free genuine parts after their warranty had expired," FCA said in a statement.

"But with all avenues of communication shutdown by the customer, we were left to conclude that this stunt had little to do with reaching any genuine agreement with Dodge Australia.

"While Dodge Australia was keen to resolve this issue, we weren't in the position to issue the demanded refund of $43,000 for a vehicle purchased in 2011, that was driven for more than 100,000kms and that has no known manufacturing defects, nor had any evidence provided by the owners to substantiate these claims."

Drive understands Dodge dealers launched an attempt to buy the car back from the family for a fair sum, but that an agreement could not be reached.

The tank stunt was arranged in part by Queensland's Ashton Wood, a consumer advocate who rose to prominence with his "Destroy my Jeep" crowd sourcing campaign in 2014.

Queensland senator Glenn Lazarus led the destruction of the Dodge, attacking it with a sledgehammer before taking charge of the tank.



Dodge says it did "everything possible" to work with the owners. Photo: Destroy My Jeep


The former Palmer United Party member seeking re-election as an independent says Australian motorists should have better consumer protection "to force car dealerships and vehicle manufacturers to resolve vehicle issues".

"Countries around the world have successfully implemented lemon laws to provide consumers with protection and I believe it's about time we did the same in Australia," he says.

"Buying a new car should be an exciting time and I am determined to ensure the people of Australia have the consumer protections they need when making such a big purchase."

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/d...30-gpva1r.html