Coba, et al. v. Ford Motor Company

Analysis Group was retained on behalf of Ford Motor Company, the defendant in a class action lawsuit involving defective fuel tanks in its F-Series trucks and E-Series vans. The plaintiffs contended that Ford knew it would be unable to fix the linings of the fuel tanks, which allegedly deteriorated and allowed pieces of rust to clog and damage the fuel systems, resulting in multiple and expensive repairs for the plaintiffs. They sought damages for breach of express warranty and implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; violation of New Jersey consumer protection law; and common law fraud.

An Analysis Group team led by Managing Principal Mark Gustafson and Vice President Nathan Trujillo supported Senior Advisor Bruce Strombom, who filed an expert report and testified at deposition on damages issues. Mr. Strombom opined on whether used vehicle price data could be used to support claims of excess value diminution in the affected vehicles as a result of the defective fuel tanks.

A judge in the US District Court for the District of New Jersey granted summary judgment to Ford, holding that the plaintiffs had not produced evidence raising material issues of fact sufficient to support their claims. The decision was subsequently affirmed by the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.