***ist and Shocking Fiat Service

<p>It comes with the utmost disappointment and embarrassment to announce on a public platform that Fiat ( Fiat South Africa, Fiat Nelspruit (Union motors) and Fiat road assist) is a brand and company that should not be supported by young woman nor young professionals. I have been a Fiat supporter from the word go and have driven a fiat 500 from 2 ********** for over 100000 kms with not a single issue or concern until recently where I purchased my second fiat 500- twin air lounge 2017 model; this is where the problems started! <br />I was driving late evening in the mpumalanga region to near to Kabokweni Township before White River . My car suddenly started smoking leading to me pulling over in the yellow lanes. I was terrified as it was dark and I didn't know what to do. I recalled that the salesman at fiat Boksburg told me if I ever need... Fiat roadside assist will be there to help me! That evening I contacted them more than 15 times with no success and my anxiety building with every unanswered call.</p> <p>Upon phoning my dad he suggested phoning outsurance who immediately answered and responded with great concern and a tow truck was there within 12 minutes. They also followed up with many courtesy calls to ensure my safety. (this was the first alarming contrast between a business who cares and a business that had no aftersale service)</p> <p>The day after was an immense struggle for hours trying to get fiat to fetch the motor vehicle from my safe haven in nelspruit. After fighting for hours on the phone I had to ask my father and almost every other male figure in my family group to drive to fiat and demand assistance as they obviously did not respect my female presence as enough of a threat!</p> <p>After said male figures made a scene I finally got told that my vehicle will be fetched by fiat nelspruit! And a rental car will be available which will cost 1500 rand cash deposit which I had to take out of my cashflow because fiat nelspruit will not offer me a courtesy vehicle. ( I have still not been refunded this money 3 weeks later)</p> <p>A time-lapse of 15days, before fiat nelspruit finally contacts me to tell me even though my car is only 5 months old and I have under 20000 kms on my brand new vehicle, the failure of my clutch is due to drivers abuse! (which is news to me considering its a 2017 model, brand new and my previous fiat I drove for over 100000 km no problem?). As well as it been suggested to me that WOMEN DRIVERS tend to drive the clutch!!</p> <p>I explained this to head of service staff Pauline at fiat nelspruit and told her this is absurd and I'm going to have to send this for another opinion. She arrogantly responded with she doesn't care who I send it to it is not under warranty and I can phone whoever I want -including Theo Van Vuuren - because its not her problem. (brilliant customer care again from fiat Nelspruit).</p> <p>This lead to me having to contact fiat SA for the umpteenth time as well as the dealer principal at fiat nelspruit. (long story short they still did not assist me with one excuse following the next not even being able to assist me with a courtesy vehicle).</p> <p>When telling specifically Pauline how desperate I was this past Saturday for a car, as I went to the dealership after speaking to fiat SA thinking they had arranged a courtesy vehicle for me. She said that was news to her... It was explained that this is unacceptable and I am destitute and I'll have to go to the auto ombudsman as well as enforce my rights as per the Consumer Protection Act which is going to take a considerable amount of time and I just need her help in order to be able to do my job. She said I can do whatever I want but she is sticking to her story.</p> <p>I guess the point of this post is so that every matriculant looking for a new car, or every young woman looking at purchasing a new car... Stay away from Fiat! Do not purchase a vehicle from this brand whatsoever! They will lure you in and will not offer any aftersale service. It is a pity that this has happened because I am still stuck with this brand! If it were up to me I'd never associate with a brand that does this to people. Let alone women! The lack of respect for women or their needs and protection was truly highlighted.</p> <p>My opinions, concerns and absolute desperation meant nothing to fiat! And I would like to share this with every single potential buyer! Especially women! We mean nothing to this brand and the people working for the brand.</p> <p>Finally I would just like to point out, even until this moment have I not recieved a single apology or even just a sense of concern.</p> <p>(Thank you outsurance and thank you to the dealer principal at East rand fiat as they at least cared to assist me.)</p>