RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka took to his official X account on Tuesday to comment on the ongoing spat between Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal and comedian Kunal Kamra. Goenka's remarks came after Kamra raised concerns about Ola's service centers, sharing an image of numerous electric scooters parked at one location. Goenka humorously stated, "If I have to travel close distances, I mean from one 'kamra' to another, I use my Ola," while sharing a picture of himself on an Ola electric vehicle.
Kamra's Criticism Sparks Back-and-Forth
Kunal Kamra initiated the online confrontation by questioning Ola's service quality. He wrote, "Do Indian consumers have a voice? Do they deserve this? Two-wheelers are many daily wage workers' lifeline." His post drew attention to the large number of scooters at the service center, and he tagged Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, asking, “is this how Indians will get to using EV’s? @jagograhakjago any word?”
Aggarwal responded to Kamra's criticisms, suggesting that the comedian's remarks were a "paid tweet" and challenged him to "come and help us out!" He added, "I'll even pay more than you earned for this paid tweet or from your failed comedy career. Or else sit quiet and let us focus on fixing the issues for the real customers."
Kamra Stands Firm Against Aggarwal
Kamra did not back down, replying to Aggarwal's comments. He said, "Paid tweet, failed comedy career, and sit quietly. Indian businessman at their humble best..." and further demanded accountability from Ola, urging them to provide "a total refund" to anyone wishing to return their Ola EV purchased in the last four months.
Aggarwal countered, claiming Ola has "enough programs" for customers facing service delays, and insisted that Kamra should engage in "real work rather than armchair criticism."
Regulatory Challenges for Ola Electric
The fallout from this public dispute coincided with regulatory scrutiny. On October 7, 2024, Ola Electric received a show cause notice from the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) for alleged violations related to consumer rights, misleading advertisements, and unfair trade practices. The notice requires a response within 15 days.
The CCPA's concerns were based on complaints regarding manufacturing defects, partial refunds on cancellations, and various issues with the electric scooters, including battery problems. These service challenges have resulted in a negative impact on Ola Electric's market performance.
Declining Sales and Share Price Impact
Ola Electric's stock has been volatile, with shares plunging over 8% on Monday, representing a 43% drop from its post-listing peak. The company's sales figures have also been troubling, with only 23,965 vehicles sold in September—a month-on-month decline for the second consecutive month. Ola's market share has decreased from over 50% in April to just 27% in September, highlighting the operational difficulties the company faces amid growing customer dissatisfaction.
The online feud between Bhavish Aggarwal and Kunal Kamra, coupled with the regulatory scrutiny from the CCPA, highlights the pressing challenges Ola Electric must address to regain consumer confidence. As this situation unfolds, the importance of consumer rights and corporate accountability remains a focal point for the future of Ola in the competitive electric vehicle market in India.
If I have to travel close distances, I mean from one ‘kamra’ to another, I use my Ola @bhash pic.twitter.com/wujahVCzR1
— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) October 8, 2024
Kamra's Criticism Sparks Back-and-Forth
Kunal Kamra initiated the online confrontation by questioning Ola's service quality. He wrote, "Do Indian consumers have a voice? Do they deserve this? Two-wheelers are many daily wage workers' lifeline." His post drew attention to the large number of scooters at the service center, and he tagged Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, asking, “is this how Indians will get to using EV’s? @jagograhakjago any word?”
Since you care so much @kunalkamra88, come and help us out! I’ll even pay more than you earned for this paid tweet or from your failed comedy career.
— Bhavish Aggarwal (@bhash) October 6, 2024
Or else sit quiet and let us focus on fixing the issues for the real customers. We’re expanding service network fast and backlogs… https://t.co/ZQ4nmqjx5q
Aggarwal responded to Kamra's criticisms, suggesting that the comedian's remarks were a "paid tweet" and challenged him to "come and help us out!" He added, "I'll even pay more than you earned for this paid tweet or from your failed comedy career. Or else sit quiet and let us focus on fixing the issues for the real customers."
On my failed comedy career here’s a clip from last year when I surprised an audience & opened for Grover…
— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) October 6, 2024
Anything else you arrogant, substandard, prick @bhash pic.twitter.com/e7bQzVcCrT
Kamra Stands Firm Against Aggarwal
Kamra did not back down, replying to Aggarwal's comments. He said, "Paid tweet, failed comedy career, and sit quietly. Indian businessman at their humble best..." and further demanded accountability from Ola, urging them to provide "a total refund" to anyone wishing to return their Ola EV purchased in the last four months.
Aggarwal countered, claiming Ola has "enough programs" for customers facing service delays, and insisted that Kamra should engage in "real work rather than armchair criticism."
We have enough programs for our customers if they face service delays. If you were a genuine one, you would have known.
— Bhavish Aggarwal (@bhash) October 6, 2024
Again, don’t try and back out of this. Come and do some real work rather than armchair criticism. https://t.co/HFFKgsl7d9
Regulatory Challenges for Ola Electric
The fallout from this public dispute coincided with regulatory scrutiny. On October 7, 2024, Ola Electric received a show cause notice from the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) for alleged violations related to consumer rights, misleading advertisements, and unfair trade practices. The notice requires a response within 15 days.
The CCPA's concerns were based on complaints regarding manufacturing defects, partial refunds on cancellations, and various issues with the electric scooters, including battery problems. These service challenges have resulted in a negative impact on Ola Electric's market performance.
Declining Sales and Share Price Impact
Ola Electric's stock has been volatile, with shares plunging over 8% on Monday, representing a 43% drop from its post-listing peak. The company's sales figures have also been troubling, with only 23,965 vehicles sold in September—a month-on-month decline for the second consecutive month. Ola's market share has decreased from over 50% in April to just 27% in September, highlighting the operational difficulties the company faces amid growing customer dissatisfaction.
The online feud between Bhavish Aggarwal and Kunal Kamra, coupled with the regulatory scrutiny from the CCPA, highlights the pressing challenges Ola Electric must address to regain consumer confidence. As this situation unfolds, the importance of consumer rights and corporate accountability remains a focal point for the future of Ola in the competitive electric vehicle market in India.
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