Turkish businessman wins case against British auto manufacturer

ISTANBUL

Lawyer Candaş Gürol

A Turkish businessman has won a case against British automobile giant Land Rover after seven years of trial.

Engin Yakut, a businessman and lawyer, bought a Range Rover Vogue car for 170,000 euros in Istanbul in 2013. But the car’s engine died when he was driving at a speed of 80 kilometers per hour.

“The engine is dead, transmission screws are not tightened due to a breakdown and failure in the production,” said a report filed by the distributor company.

But Land Rover did not respond to three notices from Yakut demanding the replacement of the car with a new one.

Yakut then filed a lawsuit against the British firm with a court in Istanbul.

Upon expert opinions from Istanbul Technical University and Yıldız Technical University, the 8th Consumer Court in Istanbul ruled a compensation of 397,800 liras (about $73,200) should be paid to Yakut by Land Rover.

On the other hand, the lawyer of the manufacturer asserted that Turkish courts have no jurisdiction over British firms.

İnci Akın, lawyer of Land Rover, said that they would appeal the verdict after they receive the reasoned decision of the court.

Candaş Gürol, Yakut’s lawyer, hailed the court decision and said that they are planning to make applications to the European Union, the European Court of Justice and the EU Consumers’ Association.