Fair trade regulator, MRTPC (Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commision) has initiated a judicial inquiry against the tyre maker MRF for ‘false’ claims in its advertising campaign for its product regarding mileage. Going by a probe by DGIR(Director General Of Investigation and Registration) its investigative unit, MRTPC has issued a “notice of enquiry” against the company and 35 transporters who allegedly gave ‘false’ testimonials for the product.

In the report, DGIR has sought actions to be taken against the company and transporters who gave false testimonials and citations that they saved money on fuel after using MRF’s premium truck tyre Super Lug 50-FS. MRF had claimed that truck owners would gain in fuel efficiency using its truck tyre Super Lug 50-FS owing to low rolling resistence these tyres offered. The company also claimed that the tyre was tested for 3 years before it was launched in the market and had published testimonials from 35 transporters to justify its claims.

Later on complaints from tyre dealers about MRF’s claims to MRTPC, made it refer the matter to DGIR for further investigation.

DGIR in its investigation has directed the tyre maker to furnish exact performance dates, methodology used for the test, sample size taken, load conditions during testing and other parameters on which the company had made its claim.