Indian automotive giant Mahindra & Mahindra issued a statement on September 26, responding to a First Information Report (FIR) filed against the company and its Chairman, Anand Mahindra, along with 12 others. The FIR, lodged in Uttar Pradesh, stemmed from a car accident in January 2022 in which a man lost his son. The complainant alleged that the car’s safety features, particularly the airbags, did not function as advertised.
In its statement, Mahindra & Mahindra clarified that the incident in question is more than 18 months old, emphasizing that the reported incident took place in January 2022.
Addressing the allegations about the absence of airbags in the vehicle, the company stated, “We would hence like to categorically reconfirm that the Scorpio S9 variant manufactured in 2020 did have airbags.”
Furthermore, Mahindra & Mahindra noted that they conducted an extensive technical investigation in October 2022. The company’s findings indicated that the airbags had not malfunctioned in the accident. They explained that it was a rollover case, and frontal airbags would not deploy in such circumstances.
The FIR was filed by Rajesh Mishra from Kanpur, who claimed to have purchased a black Scorpio worth Rs 17.40 lakh after being convinced of its safety features promoted through advertisements and social media posts by Mahindra. The car was gifted to his son, Apoorv Mishra, who tragically lost his life in a car accident. The airbags, which were supposed to be installed in the vehicle, allegedly did not deploy.
Mahindra & Mahindra concluded its statement by acknowledging that the matter is currently sub judice and expressed their commitment to cooperating with the authorities for any further investigation.
Summary:
- Mahindra & Mahindra issues statement addressing FIR allegations related to car safety assurances.
- The company clarifies that the incident in question occurred in January 2022 and is more than 18 months old.
- Mahindra & Mahindra confirms that the Scorpio S9 variant manufactured in 2020 had airbags.
- The company’s technical investigation in October 2022 found no airbag malfunction and explained that the accident was a rollover case.
- The FIR was filed by a man who alleged that his son’s car accident was due to non-deployment of airbags.
- Mahindra & Mahindra commits to cooperating with authorities in the ongoing investigation.