SUZUKI AUTO SOUTH AFRICA will never back you if a dealership misleads or mistreats you with regards to their Suzuki products!

It all started in February 2018 when I asked for expert advice from a salesperson at a Suzuki dealership. I regard someone who is selling a product to be an expert in the sense that he or she knows the product he/she is selling. This is how it began and links to the previous review with regards to Suzuki Kenilworth.

Let me start by saying that I did NOT ask for tyre brand advice as my mind had been basically made up. What I did ask for is if the tyre size I am interested in is accepted by Suzuki Auto SA. The salesman said "yes" and even emailed me a couple of other brands in that size. Well, I was satisfied that the "expert" had given me the correct advice and purchased 5 tyres of the size I confirmed with the sales person. I even asked the fitment centre to ensure the tyres were not touching anywhere to be certain. All appeared fine.

My wife and I joined the Suzuki Club on the Darling Flower Show outing which took us through some picturesque scenery and all was fine. I did notice that the tyres were so large that they may be restricted should we have to encounter an axle twister and during this trip I spoke to the same salesman about this. His advice was to speak to the workshop so they can fit a Suzuki Lift Kit (40mm) and steering damper which would definitely sort out any concerns. At this stage it was obvious that he still thought the tyres were Suzuki Auto SA approved regarding size.

Well, I got quotes and to cut a long story short the lift kit was ordered and the fitment was done at Suzuki Kenilworth. I drove the vehicle home and all seemed fine. Before the very first service which was the yearly one as we reach that interval before the actual 15000km interval the problems started. The main issue was the especially when turning left the vehicle was restricted as it could turn sharper right than left. They adjusted it and it seemed fine according to my wife as it is actually her vehicle. I drove it one day and found the vehicle to be very unstable and the turning was still not right? I spoke to the service department and said that the vehicle is not driven that often at that stage and as the next service was almost due with the odometer on around +- 11000km the vehicle went in for a service with two additional issues to check. The lift kit and steering damper and the key/alarm. The key/alarm turned out to be a simple fix, but the fix for the steering damper was what I call a "backyard fix". They cut / trimmed the plastic of the front bumper/fender as this was causing the turning restriction. That is when I lost it as it made no sense as anyone with ears would clearly hear BF Goodrich KO2 tyres touching the plastic bumper when turning while driving....and it never made a sound and despite the ridiculous "fix" the plastic would not be rigid enough to cause the turning restriction.

I then started the whole up and down emails to Suzuki Kenilworth who denied everything and to this date and time have not taken responsibility for their actions.

I informed Suzuki Auto South Africa with a multitude of proof in the form of screenprints from social media, emails between myself and Suzuki Kenilworth etc etc. The reaction from them was an email stating that no lift kits are authorised and the tyres are not within the accepted Suzuki parameters. Suzuki Kenilworth did not even do anything upon getting that email from Suzuki Auto SA.

I then approached the Consumer Protection Council to assist. I explained my situation and they took the matter further. Basically the same happened. Suzuki Kenilworth "shrugged off" all responsibility (...this was an official 57 page document with proof) and it was also at this stage that I found it odd that Suzuki Auto SA was doing zero...nothing....I wasn't even being informed of anything more than they "will talk to the dealership". By this time it was very clear talking would have not effect on them.

At one stage I called Hennoh Havenga…..maybe spoke to him once, but he could not give me any assistance. Megan was sending me promotional content via email, but nothing pertaining my complaint. David Anders who is basically second in charge at Suzuki Auto SA did not even send me a mail. The only person who gave me some information within what he was permitted to do was Neil (also a SASA employee) and I am thank ful for that.

The Consumper Protection Council company I approached were kind enough to prepare all the MIOSA (Motor Industry Ombudsman South Africa) for me and all it required was my signature before submitting.

I sent these documents to Suzuki Auto SA and even included Mr Yukio Sato who is the boss there. It took some time to get his email address, but fortunately in todays digital and modern age everything can be found. Anyway....my message basically asked them to review my complaint as I was shocked that the mighty Suzuki Auto South Africa did not basically care that sales person did not know the products they were selling. Even warranty information was wrong when compared to what the dealership said and what SASA said. The dealership and salesman who misinformed me without checking his facts are still continuing to sell Suzuki vehicles and it appears Suzuki Auto SA could not care less what they say or do.

I say this as since February 2018 till now nobody at Suzuki Auto SA have not made a single attempt to, at least, give me an update as to what steps they are taking to prevent this in future. Also bear in mind that even though there was a dispute I purchased a new Suzuki Jimny as the one with the problems was simply too dangerous to drive and we require 2 vehicles.

Yesterday I sent David Anders, Megan, Hennoh, Neil & Mr Yukio Sato the MIOSA document that simply required my signature before I submit it. They blatantly ignored it. Not a word was heard or written.

I then signed the documents and submitted my complaint to MIOSA after which I forwarded the copy I sent to ********** (all 57 pages) to Suzuki Auto South Africa, everyone as mentioned above. It is now Tuesday 18 September 2018 at 18:56 and from February 2018 to date SUZUKI AUTO SOUTH AFRICA has done NOTHING from their side to back me who purchased our third Suzuki Jimny….this purchase was made midst this whole dispute and that is the level of loyalty I HAD towards Suzuki and they felt NOTHING for me....a single customer who was wronged and showed clear and concise evidence....yet they did NOTHING. Mr Yukio Sato and his management team did NOTHING!

Is it wise purchasing a Suzuki vehicle is the "big shots" don't have time or make time to address a serious issue. What if we were in an accident due to the Suzuki Lift Kit and wrong information I was given? I doubt that they would care as I think Suzuki Auto SA are all about numbers and selling cars. Once the client has signed and paid it becomes another statistic.

Would you as consumers want to be treated like this after you have been a loyal customer? I truly thought that we were more than just another statistic to Suzuki Auto SA.

SUZUKI AUTO SOUTH AFRICA does not care. Everything I experienced is still being done today despite the fact that they don't approve lift kits and steering dampers. There are companies in their "pocket" when it comes to doing these upgrades that could actually void your warranty if said upgrade results in something else (not part of the upgrade) failing, but deemed to have failed as a result of the upgrade. It is very sad when a really great product such as the current Suzuki Jimny is backed by people who simply couldn't care less! For those considering the new Suzuki Jimny I wish you problem free service and enjoy the vehicle. That small vehicle.....although only a car....will treat you better than SUZUKI AUTO SOUTH AFRICA.....until it gives an issue or you have the bad luck I had dealing with a clueless salesman and dealership that has one thing in common with Suzuki Auto SA....both couldn't care less.