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Ralph Hoar Responds to Chrysler's Charge That He is 'Spreading False Claim'

10 July 1998

Ralph Hoar Responds to Chrysler's Charge That He is 'Spreading False Claim'

    WASHINGTON, July 10 -- The following is a statement made
today by Ralph Hoar:
    "I stand by my charges that Chrysler has not given European minivan owners
the same level of safety that it has provided U.S. and Canadian van owners,"
Hoar said.  "Chrysler's statement attempting to rebut my charges is enough to
make Goebbels blush," he added.
    "My small consulting firm has done more in one day to alert the people of
Europe to the hazard of defective rear door latches than Chrysler -- with its
billions -- has done in the last three years.  German Chrysler minivan owners
contacted by Ralph Hoar & Associates say they have received no warning from
Chrysler, nor have they received an offer from Chrysler to replace their latch
at no charge," Hoar said.
    "If Chrysler is 'offering' redesigned latches in Europe it's doing a lousy
job of letting anyone know about it," Hoar said.  One longtime Chrysler dealer
in Germany's Black Forest claims that he learned of problems with Chrysler's
minivan rear door latches from the Internet, not from Chrysler, Hoar said.
    "Last night Louis Goldfarb, one of Chrysler's lawyers, threatened to sue
us if we proceeded with efforts to inform the citizens of Europe that Chrysler
is treating them like second class citizens.  We don't take kindly to threats
or to being accused of lying.  We are considering all remedies available to
us," Hoar said.