Consumer Watchdog Files Lawsuit Against Hyundai for Misleading Consumers 40 MPG
07-10-12, 08:12 AM
#1
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Consumer Watchdog Files Lawsuit Against Hyundai for Misleading Consumers 40 MPG
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/07...t-against.html
Hyundai is being sued in a Sacramento Superior Court for misleading consumers about the gas mileage of its 2011 and 2012 Elantra compact model.
This is the next chapter of a story that began in December of 2011 when the non-profit organization Consumer Watchdog slammed Hyundai for misleading consumers in ads for the new Elantra.
The lawsuit, which has been filed by Consumer Watchdog and the Washington, DC, law firm, Cuneo Gilbert & LaDuca, LLP, alleges that Hyundai touted "The 40 Mile Per Gallon Elantra" in high-impact television, Internet, and print advertisements, without disclosing that it was referring to highway and not combined fuel economy numbers.
According to EPA estimates, the 2012/2012 Hyundai Elantra sedan returns 29mpg (8.1lt/100km) in the city, 40mpg (5.9lt/100km) on the highway and 33mpg (7.1lt/100km) combined.
"The omitted disclosures would have informed consumers that the car does not attain 40 MPG under most driving conditions," said Consumers Watchdog in a prepared statement.
"The illegal advertisements caused tens of thousands of California drivers to purchase or lease 2011 and 2012 Elantras and consequently incur unexpected fuel costs," the non-profit organization added.
The Consumers Watchdog release on the issue also includes a statement from Louis Bird of Sacramento, California, a 2011 Elantra owner who is representing other consumers in the class-action lawsuit.
"I feel like Hyundai took advantage of me. Hyundai's advertisements about the '40 MPG' gas mileage of the Elantra instantly caught my attention," said Bird.
"I bought the car thinking I would be seeing major savings at the pump and getting over 500 miles per tank, but Hyundai fooled me. I have not saved any money on gas and have been driving the Elantra for well over a year now. It is frustrating and disappointing. I never would have bought the Elantra in the first place if I hadn't seen Hyundai's ads boasting about gas mileage," he added.
Hyundai of America is expected to release an official statement on the matter later in the day.
Hyundai is being sued in a Sacramento Superior Court for misleading consumers about the gas mileage of its 2011 and 2012 Elantra compact model.
This is the next chapter of a story that began in December of 2011 when the non-profit organization Consumer Watchdog slammed Hyundai for misleading consumers in ads for the new Elantra.
The lawsuit, which has been filed by Consumer Watchdog and the Washington, DC, law firm, Cuneo Gilbert & LaDuca, LLP, alleges that Hyundai touted "The 40 Mile Per Gallon Elantra" in high-impact television, Internet, and print advertisements, without disclosing that it was referring to highway and not combined fuel economy numbers.
According to EPA estimates, the 2012/2012 Hyundai Elantra sedan returns 29mpg (8.1lt/100km) in the city, 40mpg (5.9lt/100km) on the highway and 33mpg (7.1lt/100km) combined.
"The omitted disclosures would have informed consumers that the car does not attain 40 MPG under most driving conditions," said Consumers Watchdog in a prepared statement.
"The illegal advertisements caused tens of thousands of California drivers to purchase or lease 2011 and 2012 Elantras and consequently incur unexpected fuel costs," the non-profit organization added.
The Consumers Watchdog release on the issue also includes a statement from Louis Bird of Sacramento, California, a 2011 Elantra owner who is representing other consumers in the class-action lawsuit.
"I feel like Hyundai took advantage of me. Hyundai's advertisements about the '40 MPG' gas mileage of the Elantra instantly caught my attention," said Bird.
"I bought the car thinking I would be seeing major savings at the pump and getting over 500 miles per tank, but Hyundai fooled me. I have not saved any money on gas and have been driving the Elantra for well over a year now. It is frustrating and disappointing. I never would have bought the Elantra in the first place if I hadn't seen Hyundai's ads boasting about gas mileage," he added.
Hyundai of America is expected to release an official statement on the matter later in the day.
07-10-12, 08:28 AM
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All Hyundai has to do is ask the blood sucking leech, the laywer, and the moron that is sitting on the stand this: "Have you read the window sticker that is on every car sold that clearly shows both the high way/city milage"? Case dismissed. 
07-10-12, 08:39 AM
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Yeah no matter how one might feel misled through advertising, even with a lying salesman there is big bold print on the car stating
City
Highway
So one should be crystal clear. Also maybe a first time buyer can be fooled but someone that has bought cars before? Really? lol
On the other hand these ads (not just Hyundai) keep screaming 40 MPG and its not average, its highway. They don't mention highway except in small print. Conversely a CT or Fusion hybrid is a legitimate 40 MPG car, AVERAGE. We also recently had a conversation recently about the different sizes of these carmakers. Hyundai can say it is the most fuel efficient automaker but they don't make trucks and have one V-8 car. Not really a level playing field to make that claim.
Non-enthusiasts
City
Highway
So one should be crystal clear. Also maybe a first time buyer can be fooled but someone that has bought cars before? Really? lol
On the other hand these ads (not just Hyundai) keep screaming 40 MPG and its not average, its highway. They don't mention highway except in small print. Conversely a CT or Fusion hybrid is a legitimate 40 MPG car, AVERAGE. We also recently had a conversation recently about the different sizes of these carmakers. Hyundai can say it is the most fuel efficient automaker but they don't make trucks and have one V-8 car. Not really a level playing field to make that claim.
Non-enthusiasts
Last edited by LexFather; 07-10-12 at 08:43 AM.
07-10-12, 09:26 AM
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I feel the same way, I think that ,yes the person should have done their homework before going out and buying one on the spot. Looking at the sticker, reading reviews etc.
However I also agree that if you keep showing ads for 40mpg....with a small print stating other....we all know unless you have a dvr or tivo the small print is on and off the screen very quickly. I do believe that they should advertise is as combined mpg other than what you "could" get.
However I also agree that if you keep showing ads for 40mpg....with a small print stating other....we all know unless you have a dvr or tivo the small print is on and off the screen very quickly. I do believe that they should advertise is as combined mpg other than what you "could" get.
07-10-12, 10:00 AM
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07-10-12, 10:06 AM
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07-10-12, 10:07 AM
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louis bird will get $5 for gas, and the lawyers will get $5 million. 
07-10-12, 10:15 AM
#10
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by simply comparing range of models, toyota is NOT on a level playing field with gm and ford.
sadly you'll provide almost any contorted logic to put down hyundai and even more vigorously honda, while the reality is they and toyota and others are all most definitely big wide-ranging automakers.
07-10-12, 10:47 AM
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you bring this up often, but you're focused on a definition that works for you. toyota offers one 'full size' truck, while gm and ford provide several (check out an f-450!). toyota had NO sports cars for years until the scion fr-s. gm has corvette, camaro, etc. ford has mustang, had GT, etc.
by simply comparing range of models, toyota is NOT on a level playing field with gm and ford.
sadly you'll provide almost any contorted logic to put down hyundai and even more vigorously honda, while the reality is they and toyota and others are all most definitely big wide-ranging automakers.
by simply comparing range of models, toyota is NOT on a level playing field with gm and ford.
sadly you'll provide almost any contorted logic to put down hyundai and even more vigorously honda, while the reality is they and toyota and others are all most definitely big wide-ranging automakers.
Then you go on your usual anti-Toyota tirade which has nothing to do with what I said. Then you make another attack on me b/c of some of my views which don't align with yours regarding your precious Honda which has nothing to do with anything, AGAIN in this thread. This is a habit now it seems and clearly talks in the mod forum are not helping.
GM/Ford/Toyota are clearly a more level playing field than Hyundai. Your attempt to save Hyundai's face for whatever reason has little merit Why don't you join meowcat and post some pics of ships and trucks not sold at dealerships too
My apologies for seeing two sides to this lawsuit.
Hyundai makes trucks...... ranging anything from a mini pickup to large trucks.
We are talking about cars you can buy at a dealer.
One shouldn't get so defensive to where they go completely off the meter to defend.
Last edited by LexFather; 07-10-12 at 11:01 AM.
07-10-12, 12:16 PM
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