Never in a million years did I think this woman was going to win this lawsuit

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-autos-honda-lawsuit-20120202,0,845180.story

Honda loses Small Claims Court suit over Civic hybrid fuel economy

A Los Angeles County court commissioner rules that the automaker negligently misled Civic owner Heather Peters when it claimed the hybrid could achieve as much as 50 miles per gallon.

By Jerry Hirsch, Los Angeles Times

February 2, 2012

The owner of a Honda Civic hybrid won an unusual Small Claims Court lawsuit Wednesday against the auto giant that some legal experts believe could change strategies for both Small Claims Court and class-action litigation.

A Los Angeles County court commissioner ruled that American Honda Motor Co. negligently misled Civic owner Heather Peters when it claimed the hybrid could achieve as much as 50 miles per gallon.

Court Commissioner Douglas Carnahan, who mailed his 26-page decision to Peters and Honda, awarded her $9,867.19 in damages. That is close to the maximum $10,000 allowed in Small Claims Court that the Los Angeles resident was seeking. The Times obtained a copy of the decision.

"It is a victory for Civic Hybrid owners and consumers everywhere," said Peters, a former lawyer. "Sometimes big justice comes in small packages."

[gopiscrap]

1. Interesting now if every hybrid owner did that

Honda would have a real problem on its hands ad need to do something to correct it!

[Little Star]

2. That was something!

[former9thward]

3. This decision will be appealed.

Honda was not allowed to have an attorney represent it at the hearing. On appeal they will be allowed legal representation and I suspect the award will be tossed.

[NNN0LHI]

4. Just seems like there are too many variables in a case like this

Driving habits, tire inflation, temperature, and about a hundred other things that effect mileage.

That is why I didn't think she would win at all.

Don

[EC]

5. It's certainly one way to try and kill

hybreds. Hopefully they will go the changing of mileage claims instead of just killing the car. But this will cost them if more people come forward and sue.