The Crittenden Automotive Library

Topic: SplitFire

Announced Action(s) for May 2, 1997

Agency: Federal Trade Commission
Date: 2 May 1997
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Consent agreements given final approval: Following a public comment period on each, the Commission has made final consent agreements with the following entities. The Commission action makes the consent orders binding on the respondents.

The consent order with SplitFire, Inc., of Northbrook, Illinois, settles charges that the fuel economy, efficiency and improved performance claims it made in ads for its spark plugs were false or unsubstantiated. The consent order prohibits SplitFire from making fuel economy, emissions, horsepower, or cost savings claims without competent and reliable scientific evidence to support them. It also bars misrepresentations about the existence, contents, validity, results, conclusions or interpretations of any test or study. In connection with testimonials, the order requires SplitFire to have competent and reliable scientific evidence to substantiate claims in endorsements or testimonials; to disclose either what the typical or ordinary consumers experience would be or the limited applicability of the endorser’s experience to other consumers. (See Feb. 11, 1997 news release for details regarding this case; Docket No. C-3737; Commission vote on April 28 to issue this order as final was 5-0.) Staff contact is Laura Fremont, San Francisco Regional Office, 415-356-5270.

Copies of the documents referenced above are available from the FTC’s Public Reference Branch, Room 130, at the same address; 202-326-2222; TTY for the hearing impaired 1-866-653-4261. To find out the latest news as it is announced, call the FTC NewsPhone recording at 202-326-2710. FTC news releases and other materials also are available on the Internet at the FTC’s World Wide Web site at: http://www.ftc.gov

Media Contact:

Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2180