American Suzuki and Consumer Reports Magazine Settle Lawsuit

Photos

0 Suzuki  Image
0 Suzuki  Image 1
0 Suzuki  Image 2
0 Suzuki  Image 3
0 Suzuki  Image 4

Japanese Automaker and Consumer Advocate Magazine Ending 8-Year Battle

Putting an end to a bitter battle that has gone on for over eight years, American Suzuki Motor Corporation and the publisher of Consumer Reports (Consumers Union) came to a mutual agreement in regards to a 1988 test review that claimed the Japanese automakers Samurai SUV was prone to rollovers (see Mar 9, 2004: American Suzuki vs. Consumer Reports Libel Suit Takes Interesting Twist, for a historical account).

Suzuki will not receive payment for alleged damages under the settlement, according to a statement issued Thursday by both parties, but rather a mutual stalemate has been achieved.

“The parties have acknowledged their mutual respect for each other in that Suzuki recognizes Consumers Unions stated commitment for objective and unbiased testing and reporting, and CU recognizes Suzukis stated commitment for designing, manufacturing and marketing safe vehicles,” the joint statement read.

Initially in the 1996 suit, American Suzuki sued for $60 million and punitive damages, under the suspicion that Consumers Union was doctoring the tests that achieved negative results. The news made headlines across North America, which the automaker claims resulted in a substantive reduction in Samurai SUV sales.

It is important to note that Consumer Reports has not run a retraction of its initial rollover claim, but nevertheless has stated that the Samurai does not easily roll over under normal driving conditions.

While both sides appear on the surface to be in agreement, theres definitely love lost. Suzuki continues to question the validity of Consumers Unions testing methods, while Consumers Union “stands by its test protocol and finding,” according to the statement.

On the subject R. David Pittle, senior vice president for technical policy at Consumer Reports, stated “This is a settlement to feel very good about.” He added, “We stand fully behind our published reports and testing of the Samurai.”

Suzuki has its own take on the results of the settlement, with Cam Smith Arnolds, vice president of customer relations and communications stating, “It was really about restoring the reputation of the Samurai and of Suzuki.” He continued, “Consumers Union admits the Samurai does not easily rollover. That was a huge, huge issue and you dont get that in court.”

As important to both parties, now that the case is settled money that has been allocated for legal fees can now be put into more productive activities. In Suzukis case, despite a massive increase in sales due to new products, the result of a cooperative manufacturing deal with General Motors GMDAT division (the South Korean automaker that grew out of the ashes of Daewoo), it must focus on improving its placement in J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Initial Quality Survey (IQS), where it is currently ranked 30th out of 37 nameplates. It suffered similarly in the J.D. Powers 2004 Vehicle Dependability Study too, placing 31st out of 37 nameplates.

View More Cars

Recently Added To Our Network

2003 Suzuki Aerio GS   Hollywood, FL Price: $5,992
2004 Suzuki Aerio LX   Cerritos, CA Price: $6,492
2005 Suzuki Aerio SX   Kent, OH Price: $8,995
2005 Suzuki Aerio SX   Virginia Beach, VA Price: $10,988
2005 Suzuki Aerio SX   Portland, OR Price: $13,977
2006 Suzuki Aerio SX   Honolulu, HI Price: Contact Seller
2006 Suzuki Aerio SX   Franklin, WI Price: $8,907
2006 Suzuki Aerio SX   Totowa, NJ Price: $9,995
2006 Suzuki Aerio SX   New Hampton, NY Price: $8,999
2006 Suzuki Aerio SX   Arlington, VA Price: $9,900
2006 Suzuki Aerio   Columbus, GA Price: $7,499
2007 Suzuki Aerio   Raleigh, NC Price: $9,388
2009 Suzuki Equator   Glassboro, NJ Price: $22,075
2009 Suzuki Equator   Glassboro, NJ Price: $22,075
2009 Suzuki Equator   Glassboro, NJ Price: $22,075
2009 Suzuki Equator   Glassboro, NJ Price: $22,075
2009 Suzuki Equator   Glassboro, NJ Price: $22,075
2009 Suzuki Equator   Lansing, KS Price: $18,999
2004 Suzuki Forenza EX   Mcdonough, GA Price: $5,594
2004 Suzuki Forenza EX   Plano, TX Price: $6,991
2005 Suzuki Forenza S   Grand Rapids, MI Price: $6,310
2005 Suzuki Forenza S   Buena Park, CA Price: $7,191
2005 Suzuki Forenza EX   Milford, CT Price: $10,990
2005 Suzuki Forenza S   Painesville, OH Price: $5,990
2005 Suzuki Forenza EX   Littleton, CO Price: $6,995
2005 Suzuki Forenza S   Miami, FL Price: $6,918
2005 Suzuki Forenza S   New Hampton, NY Price: $8,495
2005 Suzuki Forenza S   Huntsville, AL Price: $8,988
2005 Suzuki Forenza S   Caldwell, ID Price: $7,981
2005 Suzuki Forenza EX   Fort Worth, TX Price: $7,992
2005 Suzuki Forenza S   Cincinnati, OH Price: $6,484
2006 Suzuki Forenza   Golden, CO Price: $7,990
2006 Suzuki Forenza   Las Vegas, NV Price: $6,988
2006 Suzuki Forenza   Cheyenne, WY Price: $8,988
2006 Suzuki Forenza Premium   Racine, WI Price: $8,995
2006 Suzuki Forenza Premium   Waukesha, WI Price: $9,995
2006 Suzuki Forenza   Indio, CA Price: $8,986
2006 Suzuki Forenza   Prescott Valley, AZ Price: $7,884
2006 Suzuki Forenza   San Antonio, TX Price: $6,987
2006 Suzuki Forenza   Cary, NC Price: $7,995
2006 Suzuki Forenza   Indianapolis, IN Price: $6,799
2006 Suzuki Forenza   Fort Myers, FL Price: $12,983
2006 Suzuki Forenza   Decatur, IL Price: $7,990
2006 Suzuki Forenza Premium   Winter Haven, FL Price: $7,988
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Miami, FL Price: $8,888
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Los Angeles, CA Price: $10,995
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Fairfield, CA Price: $11,995
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Pittsburgh, PA Price: $8,995
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Woodbridge, VA Price: $7,995
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Amherst, OH Price: $8,994
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Pinellas Park, FL Price: $8,495
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Pinellas Park, FL Price: $7,995
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Pittsburgh, PA Price: $8,488
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Jacksonville, FL Price: $8,988
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Saint Paul, MN Price: $8,964
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Clinton Township, MI Price: $8,997
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Northridge, CA Price: $9,377
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Peoria, AZ Price: $8,512
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Charlotte, MI Price: Contact Seller
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Beaver, PA Price: $8,599
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Owosso, MI Price: $7,995
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Aurora, CO Price: $8,997
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Aurora, CO Price: $9,998
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Daytona Beach, FL Price: $8,998
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Wichita, KS Price: $9,974
2007 Suzuki Forenza   New Hampton, NY Price: $9,999
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Golden, CO Price: $6,494
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Mesquite, TX Price: $8,495
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Schaumburg, IL Price: $8,950
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Austin, TX Price: $8,988
2007 Suzuki Forenza   San Antonio, TX Price: $7,995
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Tampa, FL Price: $7,988
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Miami, FL Price: $8,988
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Montgomery, AL Price: $8,990
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Savannah, GA Price: $9,998
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Cary, NC Price: $9,553
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Webster, NY Price: $10,995
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Webster, NY Price: $10,699
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Carson, CA Price: $9,999
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Carson, CA Price: $9,999
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Santa Fe, NM Price: $8,988
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Raleigh, NC Price: $8,888
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Lake Worth, FL Price: $8,991
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Renton, WA Price: $9,981
2007 Suzuki Forenza   Riverdale, GA Price: $8,988
2008 Suzuki Forenza   Buford, GA Price: $12,020
2008 Suzuki Forenza   Montgomery, AL Price: $9,590
2008 Suzuki Forenza   Minneapolis, MN Price: $8,388
2008 Suzuki Forenza   Pinellas Park, FL Price: $9,495
2008 Suzuki Forenza   Woburn, MA Price: $9,499
2008 Suzuki Forenza   Victor, NY Price: $9,468
2008 Suzuki Forenza   Victor, NY Price: $9,488
2008 Suzuki Forenza   Jacksonville, FL Price: $9,899
2008 Suzuki Forenza   Plano, TX Price: $9,202
2008 Suzuki Forenza   Bloomington, CA Price: $10,499
2008 Suzuki Forenza   Essington, PA Price: $9,999
2008 Suzuki Forenza   New Rochelle, NY Price: $10,343
2008 Suzuki Forenza   Jacksonville, FL Price: $9,988
2008 Suzuki Forenza   Jacksonville, FL Price: $10,388
2008 Suzuki Forenza   Omaha, NE Price: $8,999