Nagoya woman sues Bigmotor after being pushed to trade in luxury car for $68

NAGOYA -- A woman in this central Japan city is suing Bigmotor Co. and its former president, citing unfair contract conditions after being persuaded to trade in her luxury vehicle for around 10,000 yen (approx. $68 at the current rate).

The Nagoya woman's lawsuit, filed Aug. 29 at the Nagoya District Court, seeks 2.18 million yen (roughly $14,740) in damages from the scandal-embroiled used car dealership and repair chain and its former head, Hiroyuki Kaneshige, who stepped down in July.

According to the details of the suit, the woman brought her luxury Audi vehicle in to a Bigmotor branch in Nagoya for repairs in August 2022 because its engine wouldn't start. During a visit to ask about the car's condition and for details regarding repairs, she was told, among other things, that the car was worthless, the repairs would cost a lot, and the only option was to junk the vehicle.

She was then pushed into purchasing a used car. After about four hours of persuasion, the woman signed a contract close to the store's 8 p.m. closing time to trade in her Audi for about 10,000 yen and buy a used light car for 1.03 million yen (approx. $6,960).

The Audi had reportedly just undergone a vehicle inspection around two months prior.

Bigmotor declined to answer reporters' questions, commenting that the case is before the courts.

(Japanese original by Richi Tanaka, Nagoya News Center)