Following an investigation launched by Bannister Law last week, firm Gerard Malouf & Partners, GMPLaw, has launched a second class action investigation against Hino Motors Australia, following reports that parent company Hino Motors Japan falsified emissions and fuel economy data — affecting at least 115,526 trucks sold since 2016.

In a statement released earlier this year, Hino Motors admitted to past misconduct “comprising falsification of engine performance in relation to its applications for certification concerning the emissions and the fuel economy performance of its engines for the Japanese market” and subsequently suspended the sale of three of its engine models.

Two class action investigations have since been launched against the truck company, both alleging potential breaches of the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 and the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989.

Launching its investigation last week, Bannister Law stated in its investigation report that “Hino cannot escape the determination that it made a false report” and that the firm is “seeking the registration of all those that owned or leased for the period 2004–2021 of all model’s year 2004–2021 trucks to investigate the Australian application of the report findings that may infringe on emissions regulations and fuel representations to consumers and business operators of the vehicles”.

In addition, GMPLaw is also investigating a class action against Hino Australia, in a move the firm said relates to diesel engine emissions and significantly understating fuel consumption for certain diesel trucks, buses and other vehicles produced by Hino since 2003.

“The damages contemplated will likely be very significant per individual or company involved and will cover a portion of the purchase price,” the firm said in a statement.

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“GMPLaw states that it is reprehensible of Hino to misrepresent critical aspects of a vehicle’s performance sold into the worldwide market, causing financial loss to new or second-hand purchasers but as importantly causing enormous environmental damage through excessive emissions.”

More to come.

Lauren Croft

Lauren is a journalist at Lawyers Weekly and graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism from Macleay College. Prior to joining Lawyers Weekly, she worked as a trade journalist for media and travel industry publications and Travel Weekly. Originally born in England, Lauren enjoys trying new bars and restaurants, attending music festivals and travelling. She is also a keen snowboarder and pre-pandemic, spent a season living in a French ski resort.