A court overseeing 28 federal glass-price-fixing suits against Ford Motor Co. and PPG Industries Inc. granted the plaintiffs class action status on 5 November, according to Ford“s most recent quarter…
A court overseeing 28 federal glass-price-fixing suits against Ford Motor Co. and PPG Industries Inc. granted the plaintiffs class action status on 5 November, according to Ford“s most recent quarterly report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The US District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania certified two subclasses: anyone who purchased flat glass products in the US between 1 August and 31 December, 1995; and anyone who purchased fabricated automotive replacement glass for domestic makers of cars in the US between 1 August, 1991 and 31 December, 1995. Ford said in the filing that it plans to appeal the ruling. The other defendants in the consolidated action – Pilkington PLC and its unit Libbey-Owens Ford Co. Inc., AFG Industries Inc. and Guardian Industries Corp. – reached a tentative settlement this summer under which they would pay a total of US$ 53.7 million. Ford and PPG Industries are the only remaining defendants, according to the filing. Flat glass is used in residential and commercial windows, vehicle windshields, mirrors, furniture and appliances. The plaintiffs include a commercial builder, a supplier of automotive windshields and a window manufacturer.