Al Amin :
The ‘Bangla Cars,’ only homegrown vehicle manufacturer in the country, is now in trouble as some unscrupulous traders are marketing low quality cars using logo and brand name of the company.
Getting ride from the embarrassment, the entrepreneur of the ‘Bangla Cars’ has lodged complaint with the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) recently.
In the complaint, it said some dishonest traders are assembling low quality cars and are selling in the local markets, tarnishing image of the reputed car brand.
The vested quarters assembled the vehicles by importing low quality parts from China and laundered huge amount of money, it alleged.
The allegation signed by Harun-or-Rashid continued that Md Mohsin, owner of Ma Enterprise and an accused in three murder cases, is leading the fraud.
“Besides, we have information that Anisur Rahman, the owners of Lia Cars and Fortuna Global, has taken Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) approval with the help of some of its officials of assembling vehicles of DFSK brand, which will be marketed in the name of Bangla Cars. It is absolutely illogical,” the statement said.
“The Pragati Industries Ltd assembles Mitsubishi Sports SUV in Bangladesh. So, the production of the vehicle in the country without any concerns of the Pragati is totally unlawful,” it said.
“Similarly, it is illogical, if Lia Cars or any other company produces vehicles using the name of Bangla Cars brand. It will also encourage duplication trend and will hamper the country’s economy,” it said.
About the allegation, Mohammad Arif Sadik, Deputy Director (Public Relation) of the ACC told The New Nation, “An allegation has been submitted and the commission will decide whether it will take into consideration or not.”
Currently, the Bangla Cars Limited, a sister concern of Hossain Group of Industries, is assembling cars with parts that come from various countries around the world, having to depend on Japan’s ISUZU company for the supply of engine and chassis parts from Indonesia.
The company is producing 12 different types of vehicles with its own in-house designing team.
It has been working for four to five years on the challenges of creating acceptance of a domestic brand of cars. Famous brands from developed countries like Japan and those in Europe have already gained wide acceptance in the country. New and cheap technologies are being introduced.
Managing Director Md Zakir Hossain said they have already gone a long way in producing four-wheelers under the Bangla Cars brand by importing parts from different countries and assembling them as per their own design and plan.
“Many companies assemble cars in Bangladesh, but we wanted to produce a new name with our own efforts, with our own design and accountability so that the glory of Made in Bangladesh is added,” said the young entrepreneur.
