Lit.Econ LLP

Return to Areas of Consulting Expertise

Automotive Industry - Related Services

Contact: John Altstadt (jaltstadt@litecon.com)

Lit.Econ LLP consultants specialize in services to the automotive industry, both to retail dealerships and to manufacturers and distributors. We have significant experience in various types of litigation inherent to the industry including franchisor/franchisee disputes, labor and employment matters, product liability litigation, intellectual property issues, litigation arising from bankruptcy proceedings and fraud and forensic matters. Our consultants have testified as to damages, dealership valuation and operational issues in all forums including state and federal court and before state administrative law bodies.

Robertson v. Robertson (Los Angeles Cty 2001) Valued two Southern California Honda dealerships for purposes of a marital dissolution

Pete Levin v. Reseda Dodge, et al. (Los Angeles Cty 2001) Evaluated the finances of two Southern California Chrysler dealerships for punitive damage purposes in a consumer fraud matter.

Whithorn v. Fritts Ford (Orange Cty 2000) Evaluated various lease issues in a consumer fraud action.

Aircraft Boat and Leasing v. Advantage Loma Linda LLC (JAMS Arbitration 2000) Evaluated the accounting for the sale of a Southern California Jaguar dealership.

Michael Treadway v. Steven Hiller (JAMS Arbitration 2000) Quantified the value of the 15% shareholder of a Southern California Lexus dealership. Also testified as to the legitimacy of expenses paid on behalf of the majority shareholder.

In Re: MacHoward Leasing (2000) Evaluated certain accounting assumptions used in the sale of a multi-line dealership group to a large national automotive chain.

William Karges v. Dellis Montell (Los Angeles Cty 1999) Critiqued the damage claims of a minority shareholder from the alleged misuse of funds by the majority shareholder of a Southern California BMW dealership.

Orval Paul v. Timothy Valles (Los Angeles Cty 1998) Evaluated the operations of a Southern California Nissan dealership in a breach of fiduciary matter.

Romero Corp v. Liebman Reiner (Riverside Cty 1997) Quantified damages suffered by a Southern California Buick dealership in a legal malpractice matter.

Irvine Central Motors v. Mazda Motor of America (CA New Motor Vehicle Board 1996) Evaluated the financial history of a Southern California dealership in a franchise add-point matter.

Kemp Mazda v. Mazda Motor of America (New York Supreme Court 1996) Evaluated the damage claims of a Long Island , New York dealership in a breach of contract matter.

In Re: Honda of Santa Ana (1996) Acted as a neutral mediator in a breach of contract matter involving claims by a dealership in a wrongful death matter.

Roger Miller v. Dorothy Smith (Orange Cty 1995) Evaluated plaintiff's claims of fraudulent information provided in the sale of a Southern California Honda dealership.

In Re: Tab Automotive (1995) Investigated claims of employee fraud at a Eugene, Oregon Toyota dealership.

Infiniti Division of Nissan v. Meier Infiniti (Knoxville, TN 1994) Evaluated the financial history of a Tennessee Infiniti dealership in a franchise termination matter.

Mike Harvey Toyota v. Toyota Motor Distributors (CA New Motor Vehicle Board 1995) Evaluated the financial operations of a multi-line Northern California dealership group in a franchise termination matter.

Quaid Mitsubishi v. Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America (CA New Motor Vehicle Board 1994) Evaluated the financial history of a multi-line Southern California dealership group in a franchise termination matter.

Presley Wilkes v. Barbara Hill (San Bernardino Cty 1994) Quantified the damages suffered by the former general manager of a Southern California Ford dealership.

Michael Smits v. James Lukens (Los Angeles Cty 1993) Quantified the value of a minority shareholder's interest in two Southern California import dealerships.

Toyota of Visalia v. Toyota Motor Distributors (CA New Motor Vehicle Board 1992) Evaluated the financial performance of a Southern California dealership in a franchise termination matter.

In Re: Grand Chevrolet (Federal Bankruptcy Court, Los Angeles 1989) Coordinated the analysis of $13 million in cash collateral on behalf of the creditor of a Southern California dealership accused of fraud.

Baron Buick v. Security Pacific National Bank (San Diego Cty 1986) Evaluated the damages claimed by a Southern California dealership in a lender liability matter.