GM Dealer Demands Damages Over 'Dangerous' Car Inventory
A General Motors Co. dealer in Arkansas is seeking compensation for being saddled with an inventory of “highly dangerous vehicles” that includes cars not yet recalled over ignition-switch defects, reported The Detroit News.
Nettleton Auto Sales Inc. demanded actual and punitive damages on behalf of all of the company’s U.S. dealers in a complaint filed May 23 in federal court in Little Rock, Arkansas. GM disclosed the lawsuit Monday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan.
GM “actively” concealed the ignition-switch defect until this year, Nettleton alleged. Detroit-based GM has recalled 2.59 million cars to repair the switches while blaming 13 deaths on the defect, which could unintentionally cut engine power and deactivate air bags.
“Plaintiff believes that there are other GM vehicles which suffer from the same or substantially similar ignition switch defects as the defective vehicles identified” on GM’s recall list, Nettleton said. The additional vehicles will be added later to the list of cars causing the dealer losses, according to the complaint.
GM doesn’t comment on litigation, spokesman Kevin Kelly said by phone.
The lawsuit is Nettleton Auto Sales Inc. v. General Motors LLC, 14-cv-00318, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas (Little Rock).
More Industry

World EV Adoption Set to Grow
A new report says the segment, despite recent setbacks in some regions, is poised for acceleration as many countries look to reduce pollution.
Read More →
Black Book: Weekly Market Update
Wholesale automotive auction business stayed steady last week as bidders encountered lower prices, analysts observed.
Read More →
Pricing Transparency Drives Purchase Consideration
An annual study by JD Power found that clear pricing matters to consumers on automaker websites, so much so that it increases their purchase consideration.
Read More →
Black Book: Weekly Market Update
Used-vehicle market depreciation was the prevailing story in the wholesale market last week.
Read More →
Smaller Is Looking Better
A growing number of Americans in the market for a new vehicle are opting for more affordable options, not waiting for market stability to bite the bullet.
Read More →
U.S. EV Market Slowly Stabilizes
U.S. electric-vehicle interest is slowly stabilizing since a major dip in sales after last year's end of the federal EV tax credit, and hybrids remain the leading electrified power train.
Read More →
Global EV Market Entering New Phase
Automakers are making investments to lower battery costs and optimize production to meet changing consumer needs.
Read More →
Black Book Weekly Market Update
The holiday weekend, not surprisingly, put a drag on wholesale automotive activity last week, analysts observed.
Read More →
Auto Affordability in Context
Cox Automotive points out the complex circumstances that have led to eye-popping vehicle prices.
Read More →
Black Book: Weekly Market Update
Automotive auction inventory increased last week, giving choosy bidders even more leeway.
Read More →