Australian competition regulator says Mazda misled consumers

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Australian competition regulator says Mazda misled consumers

Australia's competition regulators said on Thursday that Japanese automaker Mazda Motor Corp misled some consumers about their rights but did not engage in unconscionable conduct. Full Federal Court dismissed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's appeal against a 2021 judgement that Mazda did not engage in unconscionable conduct with nine customers.

The court upheld the judgment that Mazda made 49 false representations to nine consumers about their rights, including replacements and refunds on faulty vehicles.

The ACCC had alleged that Mazda pressured consumers to accept offers below what they were entitled to, after repeated failed repairs. It cited an incident in which the company offered a replacement vehicle at a significant cost to the customer.

"We appealed this case because we believe that it is not acceptable business practice for businesses to give consumers the 'run around'," said Liza Carver, ACCC Commissioner.

The competition watchdog said it would carefully consider the court's judgement.