General Motors Tries to Avoid Impala Lawsuit by Using Bankruptcy

GM is taking evasive actions in order to dismiss a class-action lawsuit seeking damages for a design flaw with the company’s 2007-08 model year Chevrolet Impala sedans. The manufacturer admits that the Impalas referred to have indeed a faulty rear suspension, though it says it can not be held responsible for the design decisions of “Old” GM. The well known case of Donna Trusky of Bakely, Pennsylvania who filed the lawsuit in federal court last month reemerges!

The suite claimed that GM was fully aware of a tie-rod design flaw which caused the premature wearing of the car’s tires. The flaw can cause the tires to wear out after just 6,000 miles. GM issued a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) for the problem, but it only covered police model Impalas. The manufacturer said that the police models are quite different than the civilian versions of the Impala. But the excuse didn’t go through the owners who were collecting bill after bill for new tires and constant alignments.

Furthermore, receiving compensation from General Motors could be harder than imagined as the car manufacturer is now hiding behind its 2009 bankruptcy. GM said that the Impala problem is one which rests with “Old” GM. According to them the new emerged GM, which formed after the bankruptcy, can’t be held responsible for design flaws on cars manufactured before 2009. Worth mentioning that GM bankruptcy was sponsored by $49.5 billion tax payer money.

“New GM did not assume liability for old GM’s design choices, conduct or alleged breaches of liability under the warranty, and its terms expressly preclude money damages. The suit is trying to saddle new GM with the alleged liability and conduct of old GM,” cited The Detroit News.