Escondido

Hyundai of Escondido settled a lawsuit Thursday filed by the district attorney that alleged the auto dealer engaged in misleading advertising. The dealer will pay $122,000 in civil penalties.

Without admitting wrongdoing, the firm agreed to pay $80,000 in civil penalties, $10,000 to the state Department of Motor Vehicles for investigative costs, and $32,000 in restitution to 45 potential buyers.

Linda Miller, a spokeswoman for the district attorney, said the false and misleading newspaper ads failed to disclose that only a limited number of autos were available at the advertised sale prices.

As part of the settlement, the dealer was prohibited from engaging in false advertising and unfair business practices in the future.

Miller said the investigation was initiated by the DMV after a potential customer complained that he went to Hyundai of Escondido looking for an advertised deal and a salesperson told him there had only been one such car and it had been sold.

The suit alleged that the illegal practices were carried out between Dec. 26, 1987, and April 28, 1988.