Judge: Nathan R. Scott, Case: Del Real v. Kia Motors America, Date: 2022-11-04 Tentative Ruling

Case Management Conference

The CMC is vacated.

Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings

Defendant Kia Motors America Inc.’s motion for judgment on the pleadings is denied.  (See Code Civ. Proc., § 438, subd. (c)(1)(B)(ii).)

Statute of Limitations.  Having considered the opposition and reply (see 10/14/22 order), the court now finds the SAC adequately alleges facts sufficient to show delayed discovery and equitable estoppel/tolling. 

The SAC alleges facts showing plaintiff did not discover defendant could not repair the defects until January 2020.  (See SAC ¶¶ 70-73.)  Prior to then, defendant allegedly reassured plaintiff the car had been repaired and was operating normally.  (See SAC ¶¶ 16-22.)  The reasonableness of plaintiff’s reliance on those reassurances presents a question of fact not amenable to judgment on the pleadings.

Economic Loss Rule.  The economic loss rule does not apply in cases of intentional fraud, including fraudulent concealment.  (See Robinson Helicopter Co., Inc. v. Dana Corp. (2004) 34 Cal.4th 979, 990, 992; Dhital v. Nissan North America, Inc. (2002) __ Cal.App.5th __ , 2022 WL 14772909; Clenney v. FCA US LLC (N.D. Cal. 2022, June 20, 2022) 2022 WL 2197074.)

3^rd cause of action, Song-Beverly Act.

The SAC states facts sufficient to constitute this cause of action.  (See SAC ¶¶ 95-97.)  It need not name the exact missing literature and replacement parts – “[t]here is no need to require specificity in the pleadings.”  (Ludgate Ins. Co. v. Lockheed Martin Corp. (2000) 82 Cal.App.4th 592, 608.) 

6th causes of action, fraudulent concealment/intentional concealment.  The SAC states facts sufficient to constitute this cause of action.  (See SAC ¶¶ 108-115.)  Concealment may be pleaded with less specificity.  (See Alfaro v. Community Housing Imp. System & Planning Ass’n, Inc. (2009) 171 Cal.App.4th 1356, 1384.)

Defendant shall give notice.