MORE OLA STORES, MODELS; BUT THERE'S A BACKLOG
The New Indian Express Bengaluru|December 08, 2024
LA Electric's co-founder Bhavish Aggarwal has just announced an ambitious plan to open as many as 3,200 stores by the end of December.
GURBIR SINGH
MORE OLA STORES, MODELS; BUT THERE'S A BACKLOG

These will be in addition to the current 800. Aggarwal has said the massive expansion plan is to reach electric two-wheelers (e2Ws) to every pincode in the country.

It's ironical how these announcements are relayed by our media without a caveat or a question. Even the stock market swallowed it and moved up 6.6 percent soon after the announcement, in anticipation of a massive sales boost. Some of the pink papers which carry such 'news' must now do their due diligence and check how many Ola stores actually opened, and how they are performing.

Isn't it cheeky a company facing thousands of complaints from Ola scooter buyers, and unable to provide maintenance services to its existing customers, wants to expand points of sales four-fold? Doesn't the company first need to explain and apologize for its existing non-functional after-sales network?

The National Consumer Helpline, managed by the Department of Consumer Affairs, has registered 10,644 complaints against Ola e-scooters from September 1, 2023, to August 30, 2024. In recent months social media has been agog with pictures and videos of lines of junked Ola e2Ws outside showrooms and service stations. Several videos of frustrated consumers - one setting fire to an Ola store, another destroying his vehicle in front of a showroom - went viral.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS BENGALURUView all
The New Indian Express Bengaluru

Ashwin's big spin: Bye to int'l cricket

NTRIGUE and suspense, the moments leading up to the revelation seemed like an episode right out of the pages of mystery books.

time-read
1 min  |
December 19, 2024
The New Indian Express Bengaluru

Health dept flags 26 meds as misbranded

THE health department has flagged 26 medicines -- eight as spurious or fake and 18 as misbranded -- which are consumed for acidity, pain relief, cholesterol, iron deficiency, and nasal congestion.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 19, 2024
The New Indian Express Bengaluru

Modi raps Cong over demand for Shah's axe

Attacks Kharge claim on Ambedkar's insult

time-read
1 min  |
December 19, 2024
The New Indian Express Bengaluru

NANA PATEKAR, RANDEEP HOODA JOIN VISHAL BHARDWAJ'S NEXT

Vishal Bhardwaj's yet-to-be-titled film with Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri now has a release date.

time-read
1 min  |
December 19, 2024
The New Indian Express Bengaluru

I prefer simple stories and fantasy dramas to historical roles'

Kichcha Sudeep is all set to make a return to the silver screen after more than two years with his high-octane action-thriller Max, releasing this Christmas.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 19, 2024
The New Indian Express Bengaluru

UI eyes for 4,000 shows worldwide

PENDRA's return to the director's chair after a nine-year hiatus has sparked immense excitement among fans across India and worldwide.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 19, 2024
The New Indian Express Bengaluru

WINE, VINES & A PERFECT GETAWAY

A long-awaited one-day vineyard getaway from Bengaluru is finally possible now; and it's as delightful as it is unexpected and affordable...

time-read
3 mins  |
December 19, 2024
The New Indian Express Bengaluru

Boy who evolved as a match-winner

BACK then, few would have imagined a young boy from West Mambalam, Chennai, who enjoyed playing tennis ball cricket with his father Ravichandran, would one day go on to play for his state and then take 537 wickets for India in Tests.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 19, 2024
The New Indian Express Bengaluru

Halep gets wildcard for Oz Open qualifier

SIMONA HALEP was handed a wildcard for Australian Open qualifying on Wednesday as the two-time Grand Slam champion attempts to ramp up her return to tennis following a doping ban.

time-read
1 min  |
December 19, 2024
The New Indian Express Bengaluru

PKL: Tamil Thalaivas rout Warriorz 60-29

MOEIN SHAFAGHI and Himanshu dished out superb performances as Tamil Thalaivas thrashed Bengal Warriorz 60-29 in their Pro Kabaddi League match here on Wednesday.

time-read
1 min  |
December 19, 2024