Hyundai Being Sued Over Its Elantra Fuel Economy Claims
Hyundai Motor Co. has seen better days after being sued for misleading consumers on the fuel economy numbers of the 2011 and 2012 Elantra.
With high gas prices being a top concern of most consumers, fuel efficiency numbers has globally become one of the most influential stats in making a car decision.
The lawsuit was filed on July 3rd in Sacramento, California by a public interest group out of Santa Monica, California called Consumer Watchdog. It started from a disgruntled 2011 Elantra owner, Louis Bird, who felt the TV advertisements swayed him to buy the Hyundai Elantra with false mileage numbers. Consumer Watchdog claims that the advertisements showcased the 40 mile per gallon Elantra, but that only came from highway mileage numbers.
To further their claim, the estimated city mileage of 29 miles per gallon could only be found in small print that is unreadable to the casual eye. Additionally, awmagazine advertisements city or combined city/highway fuel economy statistics were nonexistent.
Highway mileage numbers are usually a focal point of a manufacturers advertisement, as that is the best fuel economy numbers, but federal rules do require any advertisement to make clear that are highway stats and they must include the city rating as well. Furthermore, the advertisement must show the quote your mileage may vary to let the consumer know that these statistics can fluctuate amongst drivers.
The lawsuit is seeking class-action status to represent all Californians who purchased a 2011 or 2012 Hyundai Elantra.
Bird feels that he was lied to, but this is a tricky claim to make by the fact that drivers have different driving tendencies, techniques, and distances whether it would be on highway or city driving not to mention driving conditions.
Hyundai has been tight-lipped about the lawsuit, but does stand by their 40 miles per gallon claim and believes the courts will solve this matter in their favour.
Hyundai North America, in a statement, feels that the case has no merit as their fuel mileage numbers are accurate and in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. They also have taken a look at three popular U.S.-based automotive magazines including Car and Driver and Consumer Reports who in their car reviews suggest Hyundai is close to the numbers they received.
This appears to be a case that might not have legs, as it will be hard to prove erroneous statistics when others are reaching those same numbers. However, the failure to disclose city numbers in some of their advertisements may hold some ground. We will keep you posted on this story and of any further developments that might occur.
by: David Miller
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