Jaguar engineer dismissed after trying to save drivers from VinFast safety flaws
Hazar Denli, an engineer working at Tata Technologies on the suspension and chassis of VinFast vehicles, uncovered a critical defect causing parts to fail after only 15,000 miles instead of the claimed 93,000 miles. This defect risked parts detaching on the road and front wheels losing stability, posing a deadly hazard. Despite reporting the issue to management, Denli was told production delays could jeopardize VinFast’s Nasdaq IPO. After leaving Tata and joining Jaguar Land Rover, he was later fired following his anonymous Reddit warning that publicized the danger after a fatal VinFast crash.
Denli’s work at Tata Technologies, part of the Tata conglomerate developing VinFast models, revealed that essential brackets might detach mid-drive causing loss of vehicle control—a fact tragically confirmed by a fatal accident involving a family of four.
Despite his warnings, Denli was pressured to keep quiet to avoid production setbacks that could threaten VinFast’s stock market plans. He eventually left Tata for Jaguar Land Rover but anonymously alerted the public on Reddit about the risks.
On the day of his dismissal, Denli was flagged as a “problem employee” on an industry platform, effectively blacklisting him in the automotive sector. This suggests coordinated efforts by VinFast, Tata, and Jaguar Land Rover to suppress whistleblowing.
VinFast is a Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer owned by the global VinGroup conglomerate, working closely with the British Tata group. The company aims to expand globally but has faced criticism over vehicle safety and quality.
Hazar Denli’s story highlights the tension between industrial interests and public safety, demonstrating the need for stronger transparency and accountability within the automotive industry. Increased regulatory scrutiny and consumer awareness are expected going forward.
