An MDL case entitled In re Hyundai and Kia Fuel Economy Litigation involved alleged misrepresentations involving fuel usage for Hyundai and Kia automobiles. A district court in California approved a nationwide $200 million settlement. A divided Ninth Circuit panel reversed the approval of the settlement holding that the district court must weigh all the varying state consumer protection laws before certifying nationwide class action settlements. Lawyers for plaintiffs and defendants saw this troubling decision as a major barrier for settling some type of class actions on a nationwide basis. Fortunately, the full Ninth Circuit reinstated the $200 million settlement and rejected the holding that courts must weigh varying state consumer protection laws before certifying nationwide class action settlements.
This blog is intended to provide information to the general public and to practitioners about developments that may impact Oregon class actions.
Hyundai Motor America announced that it has entered into an agreement with current and former owners and lessees of vehicles affected by the automaker’s November 2012 restatement of fuel economy ratings.