Beijing Hyundai, the joint
venture between South Korea's biggest carmaker and Beijing Automotive Industry
Corp, was yesterday sued by 68 buyers of its Accent subcompact cars for alleged
price fraud.
The owners, from 20 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, jointly
filed a lawsuit against the joint venture at Beijing's Shunyi District People's
Court.
They claimed that Beijing Hyundai cheated them when it slashed the prices of
the Accent in July. This came just four months after the Accent's launch, when
it pledged it would not cut its prices for at least two-and-a-half years,
claimed the plaintiff's attorney, Ding Runqiang.
Beijing Hyundai launched three versions of the 1.4-litre Accent on March 16,
retailing at 79,800 yuan (US$9,980), 87,800 yuan (US$10,980) and 102,800 yuan
(US$12,850). At the time, in an interview with popular Chinese Internet portal
Sohu.com.cn, company President Noh Jae-man said the prices of the Accent would
not change "for at least two-and-a-half years."
However, on July 7, the company cut the prices of the two most expensive
versions of the Accent by 8,000 yuan (US$1,000).
"These customers bought these cars just because of the company's price
promise. Therefore, they were cheated by Beijing Hyundai and suffered losses,"
Ding, from Beijing Jiayou Law Firm, told China Daily.
The plaintiffs are demanding a public apology and 8,000 yuan (US$1,000) each
in compensation from Beijing Hyundai.
Jin You, a Beijing-based organizer of the Accent owners, told China Daily:
"We would not have bought the Accent had Beijing Hyundai not made this promise."
However, Beijing Hyundai denied the accusation of fraud.
The court will decide within the week whether to accept the lawsuit.
"We will sue it (Beijing Hyundai) at the Beijing No 2 Intermediate People's
Court if the court in Shunyi does not accept our lawsuit or we lose the case,"
Jin said.
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