Suzuki Sues Consumer Reports for Sales Loss

04/15/96

Eight years ago CONSUMER REPORTS magazine blasted American Suzuki Motor Corp. saying their Samurai was unsafe and prone to roll overs. Now Suzuki is fighting back and has filed a libel suit against the publication claiming that they, Suzuki, had conducted their own research which proved C.R. tests were "unrealistic". The genesis of the hassle is the effect the magazine article had on Suzuki sales which almost sent the car importer packing and back to Japan. Suzuki sold 78,000 Samuari models in the model year the review was published and then the following year sales fell to 1,438 units. Even the U.S. Highway Safety Board said the Samuari was no more dangerous than other sport utilities and that C.R. tests were unscientific.

Suzuki spokespersons said they could not explain why they waited eight years to file the suit other than to point out they have been conducting their own safety tests with former NASCAR driver Cale Yarborough. Consumer Reports claims the statute of limitations has run out. Suzuki says the magazine article had a profound negative effect on their presence in the U.S.

Bill Maloney -- The Auto Channel