BANGKOK, Thailand – A new electric vehicle owner received a full repair agreement after the car’s front-left alloy wheel broke just two days after delivery, prompting the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) to intervene. Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office overseeing the OCPB, said the agency brought the consumer, manufacturer, distributor and dealer together for mediation after the complaint was filed. Following negotiations, all three companies agreed to replace the damaged alloy wheel, tyre and brake caliper assembly and inspect the vehicle at no cost to the consumer. The complainant accepted the agreement and agreed to close the complaint.
The consumer had signed a purchase contract for an electric vehicle and reported that the front-left alloy wheel broke while the vehicle was being driven only two days after delivery. The damage caused the tyre to lose air, prompting the owner to seek assistance from the OCPB. The case was referred to the OCPB Subcommittee on Consumer Complaint Mediation, Panel 3 (Labelling), where the parties were given an opportunity to clarify the facts, review their legal rights and obligations and negotiate a solution. Under the settlement, the companies agreed to replace the alloy wheel, tyre and brake caliper assembly and inspect the EV to ensure it could be used normally. The consumer was not required to pay any costs.
Supamas instructed OCPB Secretary-General Ronarong Phoolpipat to monitor the companies’ compliance with the agreement, including completion of the replacement parts and vehicle inspection. She said buyers of new vehicles reasonably expect them to be of good quality and safe to use, adding that the OCPB should provide assistance when consumers encounter problems with purchased goods or services and work with businesses to reach solutions. The case was considered resolved following the agreement, with the OCPB continuing to monitor the remedy until all agreed measures are completed. (TNA)
