"Big Three" Auto Manufacturers: Seeger Weiss LLP - COMMERCIAL DISPUTES GROUP

Seeger Weiss Takes Action For New York Automobile Dealers Against The Countries Largest Auto Makers For Refusing To Comply With New York Law Regarding Reimbursement For Vehicle Warranty Repairs

The Firm represents dozens of franchised automobile dealerships located throughout New York State in separate mass actions against the "Big Three" automobile manufacturers – Ford, General Motors, and DaimlerChrysler. These actions are pending in federal court in New York and are based on the manufacturers' failure to comply with New York State's Franchise Act, codified at Vehicle & Traffic Law § 465. The Plaintiffs in these actions assert claims that, in violation of this New York State statute and the franchise agreement that governs the relationship between the dealerships and the factories, the manufacturers failed to adequately reimburse the dealerships for parts used in performing repairs under the manufacturers' warranties. In addition to the three federal court actions, the Firm also represents close to a dozen franchised DaimlerChrysler dealerships in arbitrations pending before the American Arbitration Associations asserting the same claims. In September 2003, Seeger Weiss, along with its co-counsel, successfully obtained an arbitration award on behalf of one of the firm's arbitrating clients that resulted in the client receiving over $575,000 in compensation.