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 automaker's Samurai SUV was prone to rollovers (see Mar 9, 2004: American Suzuki vs. Consumer Reports Libel Suit Takes Interesting Twist, for a historical account).
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| After a bitter 8 year legal battle, American Suzuki Motor Corporation and the publisher of Consumer Reports have come to an agreement. (Photo: truckworld.com) |
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 Union's stated commitment for objective and unbiased testing and reporting, and CU recognizes Suzuki's stated commitment for designing, manufacturing and marketing safe vehicles," the joint statement read.
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| The Samurai, which was introduced in 1985, sold well over its first three years but according to American Suzuki, never recovered after the Consumer Reports article. (Photo: zukiworld.com) |
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.