A Multidistrict Litigation started by a TikTok trend of individuals breaking into cars recently settled for an estimated $200 million. The Plaintiffs alleged that the Defendants—Hyundai and Kia—knowingly sold defective...more
A group of 18 Democratic AGs wrote a letter to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHSTA) asking the agency to initiate a recall of certain vehicles manufactured by Hyundai Motor America and Kia America, Inc. that are...more
A bipartisan coalition of 23 AGs wrote a letter to Kia America, Inc. and Hyundai Motor America urging the companies to increase their efforts to address skyrocketing theft rates over the last few years of certain vehicles not...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
On June 6, 2019, the en banc Ninth Circuit affirmed a nationwide class action settlement, holding that the district court did not err by failing to apply the law of each class member’s state before approving the settlement. ...more
An en banc Ninth Circuit recently reinstated a nationwide class settlement that resolved consumer claims related to several of Hyundai’s and Kia’s advertised fuel economy standards. Joining several other circuits, the court...more
The Ninth Circuit recently addressed the propriety of applying California law to a nationwide settlement class. The Central District of California had hosted a consolidated multidistrict litigation of individuals who bought...more
In a recent 8-3 en banc decision, the Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court’s approval of an estimated $210 million class action settlement in In re Hyundai and Kia Fuel Economy Litigation....more
Sometimes settlement with a putative class of nationwide consumers is the best option for resolution. However, since the initial ruling of the Ninth Circuit in In re Hyundai & Kia Fuel Econ. Litig., the mechanism to go about...more
Each year, the Detroit Auto Show includes spectacular “reveals” by automakers- new vehicles, concept cars, and new advances in technology. This year is shaping up to include some exciting new releases for fans of the next big...more
In a “major blow to multistate class actions,” according to the dissenting opinion in Espinosa v. Ahearn (In re Hyundai & Kia Fuel Econ. Litig.) 2018 U.S.App.LEXIS 1626 (January 23, 2018), the Ninth Circuit vacated a class...more
In a split panel, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court’s certification of a nationwide class action settlement because the lower court failed to conduct a sufficient predominance inquiry under Rule...more
This week, by a 2-1 vote, a Ninth Circuit panel reversed a district court’s approval of a massive class action settlement involving Hyundai’s and Kia’s allegedly inflated statements of fuel efficiency. The majority’s long...more
Environmental and Policy Focus: Coastal California residents using far less water - Associated Press - Nov 4: Residents in coastal communities use far less water than their inland counterparts, but still find ways to...more
If readers have been wondering when GHG regulation would truly feel real, EPA may have delivered the answer yesterday, with its announcement of a $350 million settlement with Hyundai and Kia over allegations of violations of...more
Co-Existence Outside of the U.S. Might be Relevant to Obtaining a Permanent Injunction in U.S. La Quinta has operated LA QUINTA hotels and motels in the United States since 1968. Quinta Real operates QUINTA...more
In Hughes v. Kia Motors Corp., No. 13-10922, the Eleventh Circuit recently affirmed the district court’s exclusion of the plaintiff’s expert witness in a motor vehicle product liability case. Allene Hughes, the plaintiff’s...more