Consumer Report's Warning could Damage Isuzu and Acura Sales

08/22/96

[Editor's Note: the full text of press releases from both Consumers Reports and Isuzu are available from TACH's news archives: click here to read Consumer Reports' press release; click here to read Isuzu's response.]

On Tuesday Consumer Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, released a study of 1995 and 1996 Isuzu Troopers and the 1996 Acura SLX. The Magazine labeled the sport utility vehicles "not acceptable" because "they have too great a tendency to roll over in certain situations."

On Wednesday Isuzu responded to the report by telling consumers that the "Isuzu Trooper conforms to all applicable federal safety standards and regulations." The company also announced that it had "accepted Consumer Union's invitation to review all relevant test data and the protocols used" and would respond the study "at the end of its technical review."

The Associated Press has reported that the last Consumer Reports warning about vehicle rollovers--issued in July 1988 about the Suzuki Samurai--resulted in a quick and dramatic drop in sales for that vehicle maker.

Consumers Reports said the Suzuki Samurai tipped over easily during an accident avoidance maneuver, and that the maneuver was one that any driver may have to perform at any time.

Suzuki Motor Corp. sold 77,493 Samurais in the 1988 model year. Samurai sales dropped to 1,435 for 1989. The report also sparked a number of lawsuits against Suzuki from accident victims. Suzuki suspended U.S. Samurai sales in August 1995.

In April 1996 Suzuki sued Consumers Union, the publisher Consumer Reports, for mishandling a road test and ignoring evidence the vehicle is safe. Consumers Union stood by the published report, calling Suzuki's lawsuit frivolous. The suit is pending

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel