Judge: Colin Leis, Case: 23STCV17330, Date: 2024-10-04 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 23STCV17330    Hearing Date: October 4, 2024    Dept: 74

Defendant MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC’s Motion to Compel Arbitration

Seeking to compel arbitration of this Song-Beverly case, defendant manufacturer Mercedes-Benz contends equitable estoppel and third-party beneficiary principles apply to the retail installment sales contract by which plaintiff bought her car from car dealership Sonic Santa Monica. Mercedes-Benz does not present evidence of a relationship between itself and the car dealership demonstrating the motivating purpose of the contract was for Mercedes-Benz’s benefit.  Based on Ford Motor Warranty Cases (2023) 89 Cal.App.5th 1324 rev. granted S279969 (July 19, 2023); Kielar v. Superior Court of Placer County (2023) 94 Cal.App.5th 614 rev. granted S281937 (Oct. 25, 2023); Montemayor v. Ford Motor Co. (2023) 92 Cal.App.5th 958 rev. granted S281237 (Sept. 20, 2023); Yeh v. Superior Court of Contra Costa Ctny. (2023) 95 Cal.App.5th 264 rev. granted S282228 (Nov. 15, 2023); and Davis v. Nissan North America Inc (2024) 100 Cal.App.5th 825 rev. granted S284697 (May 29, 2024) – all of which the court deems better reasoned than Felisilda v. FCA US LLC (2020) 53 Cal.App.5th 486 and Sanchez v. Valencia Holding Co. (2015) 61 Cal.4th 899 – the court finds Mercedes-Benz’s third-party beneficiary and equitable estoppel contentions unavailing. (Auto Equity Sales, Inc. v. Superior Court of Santa Clara County (1962) 57 Cal.2d 450, 455.)

            The court denies the motion to compel arbitration.

            Defendant shall give notice.