In a class action against Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp (Hyundai/Kia) and led by the attorneys of McCune Wright Arevalo, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena, California has confirmed a $210 million settlement reached between the automakers and the class representatives. The class action was originally filed on behalf of hundreds of thousands of vehicle owners who complained that Hyundai/Kia had artificially inflated their vehicles’ estimated fuel economy rates. It was the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that first noted Hyundai/Kia erroneously tested the fuel economy of their vehicles, which resulted in higher-than-actual numbers.
The $210 million settlement was first reached in June of 2015, but it was established on rocky grounds. The automakers questioned if the plaintiff members had similar enough damages to actually constitute a class, and some plaintiffs even complained that the settlement was not high enough to account for their damages. In January 2018, Judges of the 9th Circuit rejected the settlement, but the divided panel allowed for further review.
The Court’s Ruling
When the recent confirmation was given by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, it was approved with a standing 8-3 majority. In its ruling, the Court declared that the plaintiffs did form a valid class and that the settlement amount was fitting given the reported damages. Given the intricate nature of this case, it was watched closely by class action lawyers, judges, and courts across the nation. The result was reached in thanks to McCune Wright Arevalo will likely make significant waves in the world of class actions.
Hyundai and Kia were both relatively quiet in response to the ruling, with only Hyundai noting it was “grateful” that a ruling had been reached. Both companies are still currently feeling the pressure from a pending class action for vehicle fires. McCune Wright Arevalo, LLP is investigating claims that several Hyundai and Kia models from specific years have an unacceptably high risk of engine fire, which has reportedly led to hundreds of injuries so far.
You can learn more about the recently-concluded Hyundai/Kia fuel economy class action headed by McCune Wright Arevalo, LLP by clicking here and visiting Reuters for a full article featuring Attorney Richard McCune. To learn more about the services of our Inland Empire law firm, or if your Hyundai or Kia vehicle ignited without warning, please call (909) 345-8110 today. We would be happy to discuss your situation in further detail during a FREE initial case evaluation.