LOS ANGELES, California - Disgruntled Honda driver Heather Peters is taking on Honda because her 2006 Civic hybrid can't achieve its advertised fuel consumption.
She's not satisfied with a proposed class-action settlement that would earn trial lawyers R69.5-million but give Civic owners only about R800 and "rebate coupons" against the purchase of a another new Honda.
AFTER THE MAXIMUM
Peters, the Detroit News reports, believes she's found a venue where Honda won't be able to spend any money on legal aid: she's taking her case to the Californian equivalent of the South African Small Claims Court in Torrance, where Californian law prohibits the use of a lawyer.
Peters wants the maximum (the equivalent of R81 800) in compensation, claiming she spent much more on fuel than she was led to believe in Honda's advertising which said the Civic hybrid should achieve about five litres/100km. Her car could only get 8.3 litres/100km.
She's not satisfied with a proposed class-action settlement that would earn trial lawyers R69.5-million but give Civic owners only about R800 and "rebate coupons" against the purchase of a another new Honda.
AFTER THE MAXIMUM
Peters, the Detroit News reports, believes she's found a venue where Honda won't be able to spend any money on legal aid: she's taking her case to the Californian equivalent of the South African Small Claims Court in Torrance, where Californian law prohibits the use of a lawyer.
Peters wants the maximum (the equivalent of R81 800) in compensation, claiming she spent much more on fuel than she was led to believe in Honda's advertising which said the Civic hybrid should achieve about five litres/100km. Her car could only get 8.3 litres/100km.