CarBuyersNoteBook

On Thursday, April 16, 2009, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California granted final approval of a settlement in a class action lawsuit against General Motors (Cause No. 07-CV-02142). The lawsuit declared that Saturn VTi transmissions were defective. “This settlement offers more relief to class members, in terms of dollars per person, than any other class action settlement that this firm knows of,” said Rob Schmieder , head of the complex-litigation department at LakinChapman, LLC.

The class consisted of all persons who are residents of the United States and who purchased a new or used 2002, 2003, 2004 or 2005 model year Saturn VUE or 2003 or 2004 model year Saturn ION furnished with a continuously variable VTi transmission. Certain people and automobile dealers who sued GM seeking damages for alleged personal injury or property damage due to a VTi transmission were excluded from the class. Reimbursement for past and future expenses were some the benefits available to Class Members.