Rollover Tests of Isuzu Fair, Consumer Reports Exec Testifies

The top technical expert for Consumer Reports testified Tuesday that the magazine’s 1996 report that the Isuzu Trooper sport-utility vehicle was prone to dangerous rollovers was based on scientific, fair and objective testing methods.

R. David Pittle, Consumer Reports’ vice president and chief technical director, admitted during an intense day of questioning that the “short course” road test used on the Trooper was not considered reliable by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and wasn’t in use by the auto industry.

Nevertheless, Pittle testified, the “emergency maneuver” test was fair, based on the best available standards and practices, and designed to distinguish those vehicles that would remain stable after swerving abruptly from those that could tip or roll over.

Simply put, Pittle testified, “We tested four vehicles. Only one tipped up. The other three kept their wheels on the ground. . . . The Trooper tipped up repeatedly, with several different drivers.”

Pittle’s testimony, which is expected to continue today, is considered the key event in the federal civil lawsuit filed by Isuzu.

Consumer Reports concluded that the Trooper was the only sport-utility vehicle tested that year--and indeed one of two vehicles ever, along with the Suzuki Samurai--to flunk its basic “emergency maneuver” test, which involves swerving to avoid an obstacle.

Isuzu Motors has accused the magazine of rigging its tests. Consumer Reports has countered that Isuzu is trying to silence the voice of a fiercely independent consumer watchdog.

Throughout the day Tuesday, the jury of eight women and two men listened intently as Pittle endured a withering, but polite, series of questions by Isuzu chief counsel Richard Bowman.

Bowman repeatedly sought yes or no answers, and the former federal regulator kept insisting he required more complex answers.