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Hino Motors facing 3rd class action
Yet another class action has been launched against Hino Motors, following allegations that the company misrepresented the fuel efficiency and emissions performance of its diesel vehicles.
Lauren Croft
Toyota subsidiary Hino Motors Australia and its parent company, Hino Motors, are now the subject of a third class action investigation by Maurice Blackburn.
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The potential class action is on behalf of the owners and lessees of new or second-hand Hino diesel vehicles purchased or leased with a model year between 2003 and 2022 – and accuses the motor company of making a “mockery” of emissions regulations.
Hino admitted in March that it had falsified engine performance data in applications for vehicle certification in Japan as far back as 2016. A Special Investigation Committee later found that Hino had misreported the engine performance of various diesel vehicles from as far back as 2003.
This class action comes after two separate class action investigations, both launched this year.
After first investigating the class action in August, following reports that parent company Hino Motors Japan falsified emissions and fuel economy data — affecting at least 115,526 trucks sold since 2016, Gerard Malouf & Partners (GMP Law) officially launched a class action in the Supreme Court in October. A similar class action investigation was also launched by Bannister Law.
US firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP (LCHB) entered a co-counsel arrangement with GMP Law in October. This came after the misconduct was admitted by the companies in respect to numerous Hino vehicles.
GMP Law has also launched similar class actions recently for the installation of “cheat devices” by the respective parent companies of Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific and BMW Australia.
Similarly, a claim was filed by Maddens Lawyers against Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Limited in October, for alleged tampering with emissions control systems to improve the performance of diesel engines.
Maurice Blackburn principal lawyer Vavaa Mawuli said Hino wilfully misled its truck and bus owners, who could be entitled to substantial compensation.
“The brazen misconduct that has been uncovered at Hino shows a flagrant disregard for customers, the environment and the law,” he said.
“Hino’s alleged misrepresentations have made a mockery of emissions regulations and caused financial loss to new and second-hand customers here in Australia and all around the world. For almost two decades, they have profited from claims that these vehicles are safe, economical and environmentally responsible and it’s time to hold them to account.”
