Honda Civic Hybrid Coupon Settlement Opposed

Three consumers have opposed a settlement of a class action filed against Honda. The class action alleged that Honda misrepresented the fuel efficiency of its Honda Civic Hybrid. The settlement provides a combination of DVDs that purportedly would provide owners with tips about increasing their cars' fuel efficiency and coupon-type benefits for the purchase of other Honda vehicles. The objectors rely on the declaration of Clarence Ditlow (pictured to the right), the long-time director of the Center for Auto Safety, a national consumer protection organization. The objections can be found here. A New York Times article on the settlement and the objections is here.

UPDATE:

I should have mentioned that 26 Attorneys Generals, led by California A.G. Jerry Brown (pictured to the left), also have opposed the settlement. The AG's brief is here.

Comments

[Honda in Indianapolis]

While fuel economy certainly is a motivatng factor to most Civic Hybrid buyers I have found (as a Honda salesperson) that it is secondary to the overall "green-ness" of the vehicle. Its ULEV rating is at least equally attractive, as is the political statement regarding clean air that the Civic Hybrid owner enjoys making

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With high fuel prices and a weak US economy in June 2008, Honda reported a 1% sales increase while its rivals, including the Detroit Big Three and Toyota, have reported double-digit losses. Honda's sales were up almost 20 percent from the same month last year. The Civic and the Accord were in the top five list of sales. Analysts have attributed this to two main factors. First, Honda's product lineup consists of mostly small to mid-size, highly fuel-efficient vehicles. Secondly, over the last ten years, Honda has designed its factories to be flexible, in that they can be easily retooled to produce any Honda model that may be in-demand at the moment.