Woman sues (and wins) against Honda over mpg claims

[MarkDavis]

http://news.consumerreports.org/car...006-civic-hybrid-mileage-claims-and-wins.html

Not surprising really. If they really did advertise it as 50mpg, no petrol car's going to achieve in real world conditions, even a hybrid one.

 

[Minstadave]

The newer small turbo petrols are getting close, especially the Audi one that runs on 2 cylinders when under light load.

 

[Nick1881]

http://news.consumerreports.org/car...006-civic-hybrid-mileage-claims-and-wins.html

Not surprising really. If they really did advertise it as 50mpg, no petrol car's going to achieve in real world conditions, even a hybrid one.

Why not? I had 2 cars that would regularly hit around 50mpg and I have only ever owned petrols.

The 2 cars were a 1996 Honda 1.5 Civic Vtec-e and a Mitsubishi Carisma 1.6.

 

[Brookert]

Honda will just put a little footnote next to the 50mpg claim saying 'with efficient driving'

 

[Dogbreath]

http://news.consumerreports.org/car...006-civic-hybrid-mileage-claims-and-wins.html

Not surprising really.

Not surprising at all; she's an American (ex) lawyer so she is naturally obsessed with suing people/corporations.

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

I have to say that I was a little confused. It's not Honda that calculate those figures. My understanding is that it's the EPA (?).
So shouldn't the EPA be liable for misleading the public?

 

[Dogbreath]

I have to say that I was a little confused. It's not Honda that calculate those figures. My understanding is that it's the EPA (?).
So shouldn't the EPA be liable for misleading the public?

Does seem odd, is it because Honda were promoting the EPA figures with their adverts?

 

[jon86]

...
So shouldn't the EPA be liable for misleading the public?

Not necessarily.

The crux of her argument is that Honda, like every other carmaker, posted the EPA's fuel economy on the window sticker using the then-current standard, even though the car did not live up to it. I, like many others (including Honda's own representative in small claims court) thought that the EPA number is mandated by law to be on the window sticker, but it turns out they can put any number on there as long as it's not above the EPA estimate. I don't know if any automaker has ever done that.

 

[Jonnycoupe]

http://news.consumerreports.org/car...006-civic-hybrid-mileage-claims-and-wins.html

Not surprising really. If they really did advertise it as 50mpg, no petrol car's going to achieve in real world conditions, even a hybrid one.

Thats not what the case is about.

My petrol car does FWIW.

The case is regarding the BCM update Honda did to provide better battery life. This is by limiting regen and using the engine more, hence there was quite a marked drop in MPG across the user base that had the update. This is what has progressed into the claim. Remember this is also US MPG.

Honda do not advertise the MPG, the MPG is determine by the EPA by manufacturers submitting a car to them.

This is a small case claim so no attorneys can represent the parties, it is predicted than an appeal, if Honda make one, will bring the typical large corporate legal team into play and somewhat change the playing field.

 

[Jonnycoupe]

Honda will just put a little footnote next to the 50mpg claim saying 'with efficient driving'

because 'mileage may vary' wasnt sufficient?