Owner sues Honda over fuel economy - and loses

An American owner of a Civic hybrid has lost her case against the manufacturer after claiming compensation for the fact that her Honda Civic did not achieve its claimed fuel economy.

Heather Peters initially won $10,000 in a small claims court, but Superior court Judge Dudley Gray ruled against her at the appeal hearing, saying Honda's ads were "not specific promises of anything". It appears Honda had already offered owners of Civic hybrids up to $200 in cash plus a discount on a new Honda to settle the claims, but Peters decided to try her luck in court instead.