Car dealership Hyundai Automotive SA has sent local actress Deli Malinga a letter requesting her to take down social media posts about the company.
This after she went on social media and accused the South Korean car manufacturer of charging her an arm and a leg despite not having worked on her car.
On November 4, she wrote: “Please be careful when you’re taking your car for a service to Hyundai Springfield in Durban. What they did to me was unacceptable, they pretended to work on my car. Only to realise after spending so much [money] that nothing was done or changed.
“I then sent an e-mail to the regional manager, Mark, and cc’d Ranjith, who is in charge at Hyundai Springfield in Durban, without any luck. Now my intention is for you not to fall into the same trap. Be aware.”
Social media post was after Hyundai failed to resolve matter
At that time she told Sunday World that she tried to file a complaint with Hyundai, but she was allegedly ignored. Eventually she took it to social media and warned people about Hyundai.
Her post fuelled a lot of people as they shared similar experiences. They made it clear that Hyundai service is generally bad.
In a twist of events, Hyundai has sent a cease-and-desist letter to the multi-award-winning actress. The car dealership is accusing Malinga of spreading false information. And as a result, they want her to remove the social media post.
The letter reads in part: “Your vehicle was brought to Hyundai Springfield Park on several occasions in the last year. For different reasons and work to be carried out. As per usual practice, the work carried out by Hyundai Springfield Park is based on routine services. And any concerns [are] raised by the consumer from time to time. This is applied to every consumer equally.”
“Hyundai Springfield Park carried out the necessary work in your vehicle as instructed and as per its expertise. With its aim to provide quality service and work in order to maintain the working order of the vehicle. Despite having little to no insight of the vehicle’s history,” the letter continues.
“There was notable and extensive external damage to the vehicle on more than one occasion. As well as clear indication of third parties, unknown to us, having worked on your vehicle. Despite this, Hyundai Springfield Park was able to restore the vehicle. Rectifying the concerns raised,” the letter alleges.
Hyundai responds with a gag order
“Taking the above into consideration, we are aware that you have publicised your alleged experience on various social media platforms. And dispute that you were charged for work not done. As all work carried out has been detailed in the job cards provided. We take note of the false statements made against Hyundai Springfield Park and our employees.
“Whilst we do not object to your freedom of speech, same must be exercised responsibly. And we cannot condone intentions to damage our reputation where there is no substantiated evidence.
“We therefore request an immediate retraction of the social media posts, which are clearly untrue and defamatory in nature. Naturally, we reserve our rights to take all necessary action to preserve our integrity. Especially the integrity of our employees,” reads the letter.
Malinga told Sunday World that she has not removed the post. “I can see they are trying to bully me, but I will not allow them. And I will be exploring other options to resolve this,” she said.
Car dealership adamant they did nothing wrong
Deon Sonnekus, Hynduai’s corporate communications manager, disputed Malinga’s version. He said Malinga’s car was serviced and she was charged for the work done.
“Malinga was not ignored by the dealership. There has been extensive communication between herself and representatives of Hyundai Springfield.”
He said they could not recall the car because the dealership had completed the agreed work. They also performed a vehicle health check on the vehicle, he said.
“The dealership provided their findings to the customer,” said Sonnekus.
I had same problem with Hyundai a year ago.
I took my two H/100 for service and suddenly one truck came back leaking and the other truck had engine problem.
When I asked what’s wrong with the engine there was no respond, I went there I was just told that the new engine will cost me R70k plus installation I then agreed cause those are business trucks.
Next day I received email engine will cost R154k
I then spoke to my insurance they organized mechanic and I went and tow my truck with all engine parts and I paid R25k putting my engine together. I don’t service or think of Hyundai ever that’s Hyundai the Glen wasted lots of money
Today I’m relying on taxi and bolt to get around. I was the first customer who bought a Hyundai Venue after it’s launch in November 2019 at Hyundai East Rand mall. A year later I started experiencing problems with the brakes and I took it in to be checked. 2 weeks prior the car had its service. I booked the car in and left to go to work, only to be called and told that my car was in an accident. When I arrived at the dealership I was told that the car was a front smash and they will fix it. But I knew that once a car had a front smash its downhill from there. So I was told to take a new deal and that there was no stock for the type of car I bought, and I had to take a fluid in the Venue range but it was more expensive. I had no transport and I had no choice but to take the Fluid model. Later on the installments increased and I could no longer afford the car. I then called Hyundai to find out if I could downgrade to a cheaper car and was denied. It became so much that I had to give up the car and the bank officials came and repossessed the car. I thought that Hyundai was this reputable and client centered company but I was so shocked. But hey it is what it is. I’m just shocked at what I had to go through with that incident.
Make Hyundai pay!
No surprises here – Uncaring and Bad management; Arrogant and Autocratic leaders plaguing Hyundai SA! No body wants to buy their cars anymore; Hyundai haemorrhaging market share and blaming everyone else when they should be looking at themselves first. If people actually knew how Hyundai SA conduct themselves in their approach to their dealers and staff… nobody would want to be a customer of theirs…