Following ACCC concerns that Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (Mitsubishi) may have made false or misleading claims to members of the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) about discounts available to them off the price of vehicles, Mitsubishi has provided partial refunds to affected consumers.
The ACCC received a complaint alleging that in September 2022, Mitsubishi made false or misleading representations about the discounts available on a range of its vehicles in an advertisement circulated as a targeted offer to QFF members.
The Mitsubishi flyer sent to QFF members stated that they were entitled to a 15 per cent discount off the entire range of Mitsubishi vehicles, when in fact the 15 per cent discount only applied to a specific variant of the Mitsubishi Triton vehicle, and different lower discounts applied to other vehicles.
After the ACCC raised concerns with Mitsubishi, Mitsubishi provided partial refunds to affected consumers so that they received the full 15 per cent discount off the price they paid for their vehicle. Mitsubishi has also committed to updating its compliance handbook and implementing a formal Australian Consumer Law compliance program.
“We welcome Mitsubishi’s cooperation and the steps it has taken to provide consumer redress, as well as its commitment to implement a compliance program that should reduce the risk of similar conduct occurring in the future,” said ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh.
“This should serve as a timely reminder to the motor vehicle industry to closely review all marketing material before it is published or distributed to ensure compliance with the Australian Consumer Law.”
“Ensuring that small businesses in the agricultural sector receive the protections of the competition and consumer laws is one of the ACCC’s current Compliance and Enforcement priorities,” Mr Keogh said.
Background
Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited, the Australian subsidiary of the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation of Japan, imports and distributes Mitsubishi-manufactured vehicles in Australia.
The QFF is a federation that represents the interests of 20 peak state and national agriculture industry organisations including Canegrowers, Cotton Australia and horticultural peak body Growcom.