Spectre Air Filter Efficiency, Performance Claims Were Misrepresented

Air filters and air intake systems which were sold by Spectre Performance do not live up to their advertised claims, according to a federal court. On Dec. 8, 2011, the court found that the company misrepresented the benefits of these products in regard to their Spectre air filter efficiency, fuel savings and horsepower. In light of these findings, it could be alleged that the company violated consumer protection laws in marketing and selling these products to the public. Essentially, consumers will have paid more for a product that does not live up to its advertised claims and therefore suffered a monetary loss.

The jury in the Spectre Performance lawsuit deliberated, and found that Spectre had intentionally engaged in several forms of false advertising.

In Nov. 11, 2011, K&N Engineering filed a lawsuit against Spectre Performance for false advertising and unfair competition. A competitor in the air filter market, K&N alleged that Spectre made false claims concerning its air filters and air intake systems in regard to the products’ filtration, air flow, fuel savings, air flow and horsepower capabilities. Furthermore, the Spectre Performance lawsuit alleged that the company falsely stated that its intake systems were approved by the California Air Resource Board (CARB) when they were not. The jury in the Spectre Performance lawsuit deliberated, and found that Spectre had intentionally engaged in several forms of false advertising.

The claims that the company misrepresented the Spectre air filter efficiency, fuel economy and performance were tried simultaneously to both the jury and the court. A federal court confirmed that Spectre had misrepresented the benefits of the air filters and air intake systems. Some of the claims which the court believes were misrepresented include the following:

• Spectre Performance air filters and air intake systems “save gas”
• Speed by Spectre hpR filters are “tested at independent labs under ISO 5011 standards”
• Speed by Spectre hpR filters are “proven to filter 99.6% of particles”
• Speed by Spectre hpR filters “result in real power gains” (supported by a graph showing increases of 35% in horsepower)

Because consumers may have purchased these products under false pretenses, they may be able to file a legal claim to recover the cost of their product.