Lawsuit against Toyota 60MPG

I can not imagine the suit will work as the figures are dictated to Toyota by the EPA (?) . Even Toyota state the figures are not accurate as they have to use those from the EPA tests. Hence the YMMV statement.

 

Yup, it will be another frivolous lawsuit. All that can be hoped for is that the lawyers aren't able to cherry pick their judge, and thusly, the outcome of the verdict.

The automakers are required by law to post the EPA numbers, and if they post anything other than that as a fuel economy figure - even if the number is more accurate - they can be subject to massive fines.

Of course, I do find it oddly amusing, that people are suing the automakers for the results of their own poor driving habits.

 

This lawsuit will be dismissed. Back in the 70's when the first energy crisis hit the government decided that the use of MPG rating had to be the ones provided from the government tests. They cannot be more, even if the realworld MPG is more, and they cannot be less, even if the realworld MPG is less. If you us MPG at all in your advertising you must use only the exact results of the EPA MPG test.
The only other alternative would be for Toyota and Honda to advertise,"These cars get really good MPG, but we can't tell you how good."

 

As is usual with Class Action suits like this, they aren't expecting to 'win'.

They are expecting to hold up Toyota for a payment to make them go away.

Of course, all the cash will go to the Lawyers. The people in the suit will get a Free Oil Change Coupon or something.

SOP for Class Action Tort Vultures in the US.

If you'll note the Article says "They've successfully litigated over the last six to seven years similar complaints against SUV makers whose official mileage claims, as stated on the "Monroney sticker" on a new car, are also seen as unrealistic exaggerations. Claims of 24 mpg on the highway and 17 in the city turn out to be 12 on the highway and 7 in the city."

I really doubt they 'won' those suits. The definition of 'successful litigation' is 'got money'.

 

i dont understand anyway, i hit EPA on my car, and above sometimes, people just dont understand how to drive this car, and now they are suing toyota and honda over it?

:|

 

How dare you! Now we're gonna sue you for tortious intentional infliction of mental anguish and libel.

 

If you check their website

http://www.brennanlaw.com/

They Advertise right on the Front Page

-We Handle Inflated Gas Mileage Claims Involving Toyota and Honda hybrid vehicles!

 

Also, you can see their 'SUV Case'

http://www.brennanlaw.com/lemonlaw/suv-gas-mileage.htm

Initially, Defendants Ford Motor Co., et al., filed a demurrer to Ms. Rios Complaint. However, shortly thereafter they offered to settle the case for a confidential sum. Ms. Rios has accepted the offer.

 

This type of greed will not end until there is tort reform. I sure the lawyers involved will make out like bandits, spend some of their loot to buy off congress and we will all pay to make them rich. The system is broken. ukeright:

 

Your Mileage May Vary (YMMV)

After 3500 miles, I was averaging 45 miles per gallon driving to and from work, but I was driving 'aggressively': Quick acceleration and top speeds of 80 mph when conditions were appropriate. I wanted to test the conventional wisdow "Its all in how you drive". So, for this last tank, I made several changes to my driving style:
1. Pamper it as much as possible- slow gentle accelations.
2. Use cruise control as much as possible, set at 66 mph.
3. Don't drive faster than 66 mph.

The result. In one week, my average mileage went up by 6 mpg to 51
mpg!!!

If this lawsuit wins, it'll be a dark day for personal responsibility.

 

^^ exactly...

NO cars achieve their EPA mpg rating, but most people dont calculate their actual MPG on their non hybrid cars, if they did, they would be off by a good 5 or 6 too...

Its just because hybrids in real time give out the MPG info people are frekaing out, because they dont understand flooring it will lower mpg...

Its not that hard to achieve EPA if you drive the speed limit, and dont do jack rabbit accelerations...

 

I have little doubt that if I dropped my top speed to 55 mph, I could achieve or surpass EPA.

-J. Rawles

 

that's just a ridiculous lawsuit. ukeleft: if they're not satisfied with their mileage, sell their prius to those more deserving. it's the EPA that declared such a mileage rating. meanwhile why dont they look at the mileage of conventional cars which really DO NOT and never do meet the declared EPA mileage rating. it just so happened that it's easier to check mileage on hybrids that they are aware of what mpg they're getting. it's just sad that it's come to this. :cussing: i can see the dollar signs in their eyes... ukeleft:

 

Actually, it occurs to me that Toyota could just offer to take the car back, and probably re-sell it at a profit, if any of the claimants really want to get rid of a Prius.

I'm not sure that Honda could do that though.

 

Well, i know my car can easily achieve the combined 55mpg that the EPA claims, i've gotten 56 on one tank, and 48 on the other. The 56 i drove the speed limits, and didnt jack rabbit, or have really short trips. The 48 was mostly freeway where i drove 80 most of the way, drive it nice and easy, and do things like kick it into stealth mode if driving around 30-40 by releasing your foot from the accelerator, and pressing it lightly again. Little things like that will get you to EPA in no time

 

Evan,

That law suit is about as frivolous as they come and it eventually will be dismissed, well prior to trial, because federal law prohibits Toyota from advertising any gasoline mileage numbers other that the official EPA's results. In addition, isn't there a fine print disclaimer to the effect that "your mileage will vary..." The losing party could then be ordered to pay the costs and attorney fees incurred by the defendants, namely Toyota Motors.

However, what you are suggesting will not work. The messages which are posted on this and other bulletin boards are considered to unreliable and inadmissible hearsay because they are not subject to cross examination. What prevents anyone from signing up to this site and then embellishing to their heart's content? I guess that they could always subpoena you as a defense witness to testify under oath :lol: .