Bombardier Motor to Pay $100,000 in Penalties, Costs

SANTA ANA —  The maker of Sea-Doo watercraft, accused of failing to give customers an advertised $1,000 discount, has agreed to pay $100,000 in penalties and costs to settle a civil complaint of false advertising.

Bombardier Motor Corp. of America in Melbourne, Fla., without admitting liability, said it also would commit itself to making full restitution to customers throughout Southern California, Orange County Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert C. Gannon said Friday.

The restitution effort is not part of the settlement, which was filed late Thursday along with the complaint, because it was too difficult to determine individual losses, Gannon said.

Prosecutors, who had been investigating complaints about Bombardier since February, alleged that the company failed to monitor independent dealers in Southern California to make sure they gave discounts to customers who provided “$1,000 off” coupons.

Gannon said the company cooperated fully and “went to great lengths” to make dealers honor the discounts. Dealers received a $500 credit from the manufacturer for each Sea-Doo sold.