Judge Dismisses Suzuki Libel Claims

Suzuki Motor Corp. of Japan lost one round in its battle against the publisher of Consumer Reports. U.S. District Judge Alicemarie Stotler in Orange County dismissed libel claims against Consumers Union over a July 1988 report asserting the Suzuki Samurai is unsafe. But the judge gave Suzuki 30 days to refile a product disparagement claim against Consumers Union. Stotler also agreed to hear a deceptive-business-practices claim against Consumers Union. Both sides said they were gratified with the decision. Suzuki claimed it was unfairly damaged when Consumer Reports said the Samurai “easily rolls over.” Brea-based American Suzuki Motor Corp. stopped selling the Samurai in the United States in 1995.