In a dramatic turn of events, comedian Kunal Kamra and Ola Electric CEO Bhavish Aggarwal engaged in a heated exchange on social media platform X, highlighting the ongoing service issues with Ola Electric's electric scooters.
The controversy began when Kamra posted a picture of several Ola Electric scooters lined up at a service centre, questioning whether Indian consumers are being treated fairly. He asked users who have faced problems with the scooters to share their complaints publicly, tagging officials like the country's transport minister.
Aggarwal responded by accusing Kamra of posting a 'paid tweet' and sarcastically offered him a job at one of Ola's service centers, even promising to pay more than Kamra earned from his failed comedy career. However, Kamra denied the claim and challenged Aggarwal to prove it, stating he would delete all his social media if proven wrong.
The exchange escalated further as Kamra pressed Aggarwal on safety concerns, asking for refunds to customers dissatisfied with their Ola EV purchases in the past four months. Aggarwal dismissed the idea of refunds but maintained that Ola was working to expand its service network.
1. Ola Electric's Service Issues: A Growing Concern
Ola Electric has been facing a decline in market share, with sales dropping from 40,814 units in July 2024 to 23,965 units in September. The company aims to expand its service network to 1,000 outlets by the end of the year to address customer concerns.
The shrinking market share and persistent customer complaints about after-sales support have put Ola Electric under scrutiny. Issues related to refunds and the accessibility of service centers have been major points of contention.
2. Public Spat and Social Media Reaction
The public spat between Kamra and Aggarwal has ignited widespread criticism across social media. Netizens have sided with Kamra, accusing Aggarwal of arrogance and ignorance. Many users have called for Aggarwal to focus more on enhancing service and resolving customer complaints rather than engaging in personal attacks.
The incident has also highlighted the importance of how leaders should engage with criticism, especially when it comes to products that customers rely on. While both sides have traded blows, the real issue of Ola Electric's service problems remains unresolved, leaving customers waiting for more than just words on social media.
3. Impact on Ola Electric's Stock Price
The controversy has had a significant impact on Ola Electric's stock price. Shares of Ola Electric Mobility dropped by almost 9% on Monday morning, marking the third consecutive day of losses. This decline brings the total decline to over 20% in the past month alone.
Earlier in September, an angry customer allegedly tried to set an Ola showroom on fire after his newly bought scooter ran into problems. These incidents have further exacerbated the public's perception of Ola Electric's reliability and safety.
4. Industry Response and Customer Feedback
Industrialist Harsh Goenka recently shared a picture of himself on an Ola EV scooter, attempting to diffuse the situation. However, his post only added to the ongoing debate, with some users expressing concerns about the scooter's reliability and others defending Ola Electric's products.
Ola Electric has received close to 80,000 complaints every month, highlighting the need for improved after-sales support. The company has built a new service team to address these issues, but the effectiveness of these efforts remains to be seen.
In conclusion, the heated exchange between Kamra and Aggarwal has brought attention to the critical service issues plaguing Ola Electric. As the company works to regain consumer confidence, it must address these concerns effectively to restore trust in its products.
