An Australian federal court found that the local unit of Japanese automaker Mazda Motor Corp misled customers over their rights, the country's competition regulators said on Tuesday.
In October of 2019 the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission started court proceedings against Mazda in a case involving seven different Mazda vehicles and 10 customers.
The court found that Mazda made 49 false or misleading representations to nine consumers who sought refund or replacement after they had serious faults with their vehicles within a year or two of purchase.
The ACCC said Mazda either ignored or rejected the claims of the customers and told them that the only available remedy was another repair.
As noted by the judge, Mazda's conduct towards these consumers was not just appalling customer service, but it was a serious breach of the law, ACCC Chair Rod Sims said in a statement.
Mazda Australia said it was carefully considering the federal court finding but wouldn't say anything further.
The court, however, dismissed the allegations that Mazda engaged in unconscionable conduct in its dealings with these customers. It will decide on penalties and other orders requested by the ACCC at a later date.