Lemon law – California 2000 (continued)

"Move to alter state 'lemon law' could boost car owners' clout"

'California motorists whose new cars are plagued by chronic and dangerous defects moved one step closer Tuesday toward passage of a revamped 'lemon law' that would give them more clout against automobile manufacturers.

State Sen. Byron Sher, D-Palo Alto, believes the law needs updating, and has proposed the most significant revisions to the legislation in at least a decade. His measure, SB 1718 [sponsored by CARS], would reduce the number of repair attempts to two in cases when the defect could threaten the lives of the driver and public.

'Four times is too many attempts where the defect is one that threatens serious bodily harm,' said Sher."

– Sacramento Bee, August 9, 2000

 

"Bid to Alter Lemon Law Hits a Snag"

'SACRAMENTO–A powerful senator and his consumer allies are struggling to overcome dogged opposition from auto makers pressing them to water down a bill tightening California's 'lemon law.'

Rosemary Shahan, president of Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, a Sacramento advocacy group pushing the bill, says the car makers' proposal is potentially confusing to consumers.

The bottom line in the current debate, says Sen. Sher, is that manufacturers are looking to 'buy time' and avoid the expense of having cars declared lemons. 'Maybe they think they have some magic that they can fix cars in a way that the authorized dealers, who they trust to do repairs, are unable to do, twice,' he says."

– Wall Street Journal, August 16, 2000

 

"From Lemon Grove to the 'lemon law' Rosemary Shahan fights big automakers on behalf of car owners"

"One of Shahan's latest efforts is the sponsorship of Senate Bill 1718, a new law that will tighten the loopholes in the state's lemon law and make it even easier for auto buyers and small-business owners to get relief when they purchase defective, dangerous vehicles. All of the world's auto manufacturers spoke out against the bill.The powerful Alliance of Auto Manufacturers hired the lobbying firm of former state Assemblyman and Democratic Party member Phil Isenberg to represent its side in an attempt to kill the consumer bill."

–Sacramento News & Review, April 6, 2000