Honda successfully sued over Civic Hybrid fuel-economy claims

A judge in California awarded US$9867 to a woman who sued Honda in small-claims court with the complaint that her Civic Hybrid did not achieve the fuel economy advertised by Honda.

A class-action lawsuit against Honda is currently being argued over the Civic Hybrid's fuel-economy advertising in the US, but Heather Peters decided to bring her own suit over the issue in small-claims court.

Honda based its advertising on the official Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) test figure, which estimated 50mpg (4.7L/100km) for the Civic Hybrid in the city. Peters argued that her 2006 Civic Hybrid achieved much less than the advertised fuel economy.

The judge cited a number of Honda's advertised claims about the Civic Hybrid's fuel economy in his decision. According to the Associated Press, his decision took Honda to task over phrases such as buyers saving "plenty of money on fuel, with up to 50mpg during city driving".

Honda plans on appealing the decision.

It is common practice for auto makers to advertise official fuel-economy numbers for their vehicles. Auto makers and vehicle owners who feel that their cars are not performing at the advertised fuel economy will be watching the outcome of this possibly precedent-setting suit.

Via Associated Press and CNET