Claims of Ford Explorer Owners to Proceed as Class Action in California
Ford Motor Company suffered another setback in its effort to defend the Explorer sport-utility vehicle.
On February 8, 2005, the California Superior Court in Sacramento certified a class-action lawsuit pending against Ford, charging that it knew of a rollover defect in its Explorer SUVs that it concealed from consumers.
The class certified by the court generally includes persons who purchased or leased Ford Explorers in California during the period from 1990 through August 2000.
According to evidence presented to the court, Ford sold over 440,000 Explorers in California during that time period.
It was in August 2000 that Firestone initiated a recall of tires used on the Ford Explorer because of the large number of fatalities that occurred when Explorers rolled over after the tread separated from their
tires.
The plaintiffs allege that further investigation revealed that Ford had suggested underinflating the tires to conceal the Explorer's rollover problems. In deciding to certify the class, the court found that it is extremely important to avoid inconsistent decisions where a course of conduct by one defendant affecting hundreds of thousands of plaintiffs is at issue.
Accordingly, the court ruled that determining all of the claims in one forum will result in a uniform decision applicable to members of the class and that substantial benefits will accrue to both the litigants and the court from this process.
The court directed the parties to propose a form of notice that would be sent to potential class members notifying them of the court's decision. The case is entitled In Re Bridgestone/Firestone Tire Cases I & II, Judicial Counsel Coordinated Proceedings, NOS.
4266 and 4270, pending in the Superior Court of California for the County of Sacramento.
Ford's internal documents indicate that Ford ignored its engineers' advice that the Explorer SUV needed design revisions to prevent rollover accidents and fatal injuries, according to a Bloomberg news article of February 2, 2005.
In 2004, Ford lost 2 Explorer rollover cases at trial, including a verdict in San Diego of $150 million, after reduction by the trial judge, and a $5.3 million verdict in Fort Myers, Florida.
In addition to the California class action case, there are about two dozen trials claiming defects in Explorers that are set to take place this year.
About Green WellingAlong with co-counsel, Green Welling LLP represents the named plaintiff in the lead action of the California Ford Explorer cases.
Green Welling, a national class action law firm based in San Francisco, California, represents plaintiffs in product liability cases like the Ford Explorer litigation, as well as plaintiffs in consumer and financial actions, securities lawsuits, derivative cases and antitrust actions.
If you wish to discuss this action with us or have any questions concerning a potential class action, please contact Robert Green or Jenelle Welling by email at e-mail protected from spam bots or visit our website at www.classcounsel.com..
Michelin Tires - Ramblings From a Fan
It was in 2002 that Edouard Michelin articulated the mission of the North American tire manufacturing company with impressive eloquence, while truly encapsulating the driving force behind the company for so many years.
Mr. Michelin stated, "We have one profession and one mission: contribute to long-term progress in the field of mobility."
The statement itself could at first glance appear slightly overly dramatic, until one considers, not only the importance of the field that Michelin Tires works within, but also the work and the advances the company has made.
Michelin Tires does research and development, production and sales in the different areas of: motorcycles, trucks, heavy-duty construction equipment, agricultural machines, aircrafts and, of course, cars.
This is quite a list for a company that has more public awareness dedicated to a plump albino than for putting years of innovation to ensure that airplanes can land safely...
Toyo tires > Michelin Tires - Ramblings From a Fan
How to Keep Your Tires in Good Shape for a Long Time
Your vehicle's tires are actually synthetic rubber which has been shaped into its form. It covers the circumference of the wheel of a vehicle. What it actually does is it dampens any strong shocks or forces that could be the effects of any irregularities on the road surface like bumps or potholes. In fact, tires also protect the wheel itself from wearing out too soon.
That is why it is of utmost importance that a car owner should take extra care when it comes to the tires.
One of the most common ways of keeping a tire in good shape and condition would be to maintain the proper air pressure. Make this activity a routine and do it regularly. And this is very important also when you are about to take long drives. And during the summer months, be sure that you check the tire pressure when the tires are cold for the air inside expands when the tires are hot so you would be getting a different reading.
How do you know the right amount of air...
Toyo tires > How to Keep Your Tires in Good Shape for a Long Time
No Need To Save More On Gas
The price of fuel and gas is skyrocketing and the effects of it are surely being felt by everybody else who owns a car or drives a car. Despite this situation, you actually could do much so as to alleviate the heavy burden of gas and fuel prices.
First off, you should check and go through your car? Are there stacks of school books inside? Are there gym bags and other clothes that seem to be forgotten? Are there collections of shells, pebbles, and rocks that your kids collected at the beach? If there are, these items actually add to the additional and not needed weight in your vehicle. You see, the more and the heavier the items inside your car add to the consumption of gas. So better remove all those unnecessary items inside.
When you are driving on the highway, try using cruise control. That is, if you have such a feature on your car. This technique would save you much on gas. Also, jackrabbit starts should be avoided at all costs. Also...
Toyo tires > No Need To Save More On Gas
How to Keep Your Tires in Good Shape for a Long Time
Your vehicle's tires are actually synthetic rubber which has been shaped into its form. It covers the circumference of the wheel of a vehicle. What it actually does is it dampens any strong shocks or forces that could be the effects of any irregularities on the road surface like bumps or potholes. In fact, tires also protect the wheel itself from wearing out too soon.
That is why it is of utmost importance that a car owner should take extra care when it comes to the tires.
One of the most common ways of keeping a tire in good shape and condition would be to maintain the proper air pressure. Make this activity a routine and do it regularly. And this is very important also when you are about to take long drives. And during the summer months, be sure that you check the tire pressure when the tires are cold for the air inside expands when the tires are hot so you would be getting a different reading.
How do you know the right amount of air...
Toyo tires > How to Keep Your Tires in Good Shape for a Long Time
The basic uses of nitrogen
Nitrogen is used nowadays in a wide range of activities. Its range of use varies from food industry to medical purposes.
In agriculture, almost all commercial fertilizers are nitrogen based. In large amounts, such fertilizers erode and decay the soil and pollute the waters, but when they are used correctly, they contribute to extend food production. Natural fertilizers also release nitrogen, but they are more environment friendly.
Nitrogen is being used in laboratories and medical facilities for preserving different organisms and in producing cures for diseases such as Anthrax.
In medicine, liquid nitrogen is used in performing surgeries. The general advantages of this therapy are its ease of use, its low cost, and its good cosmetic results. Most skin cancers are treated with excision or other destructive procedures, such as electrodessication and curettage. Superficial basal cell skin cancers and Bowen disease can be treated with liquid nitrogen...
The basic uses of nitrogen
Toyo tires > The basic uses of nitrogen