In recent years, conjoint analysis has proliferated as a methodology for calculating class-wide damages in consumer class actions. While conjoint analysis first emerged as a marketing tool for measuring consumers’ relative...more
In January, GM became the first large US auto manufacturer to commit to stop manufacturing gasoline-powered passenger cars and switching entirely to zero emissions vehicles for passenger cars, vans, and SUVs by 2035. The news...more
This report helps automotive suppliers inform their legal and operational decisions to help address challenges and opportunities. Key developments - IHS Markit predicts a global production loss of 1.3 million...more
On September 11, the Central District of California granted summary judgment in a putative class action involving an alleged defect in Honda vehicles. The court’s order provides a thorough dissection of the methodological...more
Decorated lead automotive analyst John Murphy at Bank of America Merrill Lynch recently unveiled the 2020 edition of his much anticipated “Car Wars” report. The premise of Car Wars is simple: for automakers, a faster...more
McDermott’s Annual European Competition Review summarizes key developments in European competition rules. During the previous year, several new regulations, notices and guidelines were issued by the European Commission. There...more
The Chinese Supreme People's Court ("SPC") recently handed down its latest judgment on whether Original Equipment Manufacturing ("OEM") may constitute trademark infringement in China. In its judgment, the SPC refines its...more
Quite a start to the week for consulting powerhouse McKinsey & Co., with a Times expose on the questionable relationship between McKinsey’s clients and the investments its hedge fund has made in those same clients, not to...more
Honda is joining forces with General Motors in an effort to win the race to develop self-driving cars through a $750 million stake in GM’s Cruise Holdings autonomous vehicle unit. The Japanese carmaker plans to contribute a...more
Mirroring Kevin Durant joining forces with his direct competition, the Golden State Warriors, Honda and General Motors (“the companies”) have teamed up – working together on next-generation electric vehicle (“EV”) batteries –...more
Automakers reported strong June sales in the United States. Riding a wave of truck sales and new crossovers, GM posted a 4.6% increase for the second quarter and increased its market share to 16.6%. Ford increased total sales...more
One of the highlights at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was the parade of new connected vehicle technologies. Automakers and their suppliers rolled out a number of innovative capabilities that promise to shape...more
Many of the stories coming out of Auto China 2016 are showcasing the SUVs and luxury SUVs at the show. Highlights include SUVs and crossover SUVs concepts from VW (VW T-Prime Concept GTW), Infiniti (QX Sport Inspiration),...more
Automakers closed out the first quarter with a 3 percent increase over last year’s March sales and 1.59 million cars sold. Some highlights of the 2016 versus 2015 sales numbers include...more
The auto industry posted the strongest October sales in ten years—and even longer for some U.S. companies. The industry is capitalizing on low interest rates and low fuel prices across the U.S. to drive record sales....more
On July 14, 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) and Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced they had reached a “groundbreaking settlement” with American Honda Finance Corporation (“Honda”).(1) The...more
Earlier this month, American Honda Finance Corporation (AHFC) entered into a settlement with the CFPB and the Department of Justice to resolve charges that it engaged in unlawful discrimination in violation of the Equal...more
Why it matters - The automotive industry is continuing to face heavy scrutiny from regulators. On the heels of a Federal Trade Commission operation and new oversight from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the...more
To resolve charges by the Consumer Federal Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) that it engaged in unlawful discrimination in violation of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), American Honda...more
Just over 18 months after bringing a disparate impact-based ECOA case against Ally Financial (“Ally”) for discriminatory auto loan pricing, the CFPB has struck again—this time taking action against American Honda Finance...more
In its 2011 Therasense, Inc. v. Becton Dickinson & Co. decision, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit set forth a more forgiving "but-for" causality standard for determining whether a patent is unenforceable due to...more
Inequitable Conduct Ruling Upheld - In AMERICAN CALCAR, INC. v. AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., Appeal No. 2013-1061, the Federal Circuit affirmed a finding of inequitable conduct. Calcar asserted patents related to...more
In American Calcar, Inc. v. American Honda Motor Co., the Federal Circuit upheld the district court’s finding that three Calcar patents are unenforceable due to inequitable conduct. Both courts reached this decision of...more