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Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court on the lawsuit accusing Hyundai’s advertising of misrepresenting the miles per gallon claims for the Elantra...
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In focus tonight fuel economy.
A new lawsuit in California says Hyundai Elantra vehicle doesn't get the forty miles per hour per gallon that is that the auto -- advertises.
One owner Louis -- says he's kept a mileage logs showing barely -- one night -- miles per gallon.
Now consumer watchdog is joining bird in the suit the president of that group.
Joins me now Jamie -- thanks for being with us today appreciate your time.
So why heavy joined in the suit.
Well look it's it's not that the whole launch it isn't capable getting forty miles per gallon but.
In EPA tests that's the highway claim and what neat what what what what Hyundai did here was well advertise.
Against the Federal Trade Commission rules that this was the forty mile per gallon on one trip so it's it's it's really the advertising claims were taking issue with.
People like Lewis walked onto the slot believing -- -- gonna get a car.
That was -- forty miles per gallon because that's exactly what Hyundai wanted them to believe knowing that most people would never get anywhere near that and and more taking issue with is not the mileage but the -- All right so -- say -- basically -- -- But only on the highway and it's misleading when you look at their -- now or read a statement from Hyundai here's what they said Hyundai motor America believes this case has no merit.
As our advertising is accurate and in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations Jamie -- -- Well look you know that it you you should you should look at the Federal Trade Commission rules because they're really clear.
If you're gonna -- it if you're going to advertise.
And AE PA -- and by the way these claims have gotten.
Wildly.
Under the Obama years exaggerated because the administration really has an interest in getting the EPA miles up -- if you're gonna advertise its fervent located do it.
You have to have all the disclaimers mileage may vary this city.
This this hi this this this rate highway that and that's not what Hyundai did Hyundai called this the forty mile per gallon Elantra.
People bought something and then when they went to -- fill up at the pump.
They were there was only when employees plus miles -- And that is the issue is how much they paid because they -- what they paid for.
Now let's say -- -- you're right.
OK let's say that it's not the forty mile per gallon a -- particularly in in this city.
So how these companies get away with -- because -- is up at first when we also had a similar issue with Honda.
Well I think they've they've realized that it well first I think we've got some bad lawyers because.
There is a way to advertise this correctly and I think the marketing people got a little carried away with themselves.
The reason the rules in effect is basically.
The public needs to know particular gases around four bucks a gallon in California.
That you know when you fill up you gonna go so far Lewis -- literally tracks every gallon you know -- and into the twenties many people in the twenties.
What the companies wanted to do was sell a lot of cars and they really thought it -- -- because there actually glad -- -- -- my question is how these companies get away that isn't the government monitoring this don't they know what the mileage hit us.
Well obviously the government's not doing a very good job in fact the EPA tests are done not on real road conditions -- -- You know on robots and they're done in ways that totally a -- exaggerate the mileage upward to make -- sound better and I think.
The government tests have gotten a lot worse over the last three and a half years because.
Everybody wants to say cars are getting better miles per gallon -- -- your question I want -- squeeze in here with the of the as I've enjoyed your interview.
The -- settlement for example attorneys got almost nine million dollar civic owners got 200 bucks and a coupon I think the consumers are getting screwed here -- And we'll probably have more of these suits -- consumers really don't get what they should get in these in these settlements what do you say.
What we did settle that case so I can't speak that the were trying to do here stop the advertising.
We wanna make sure that it's not advertised as the forty per mile -- down a lot -- -- car companies get the message they can't deceive people in their advertisements and we also -- -- put more money in peoples pockets so we're not gonna sell this case short I can tell you Eric but most importantly we're gonna try to stop the exaggeration in the industry.
All right Jamie Court thanks for coming on tonight appreciate your time --
