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DARIN R. DAVIS, v.NEWMAR CORPORATION et al

DARIN R. DAVIS, v.NEWMAR CORPORATION et al
02:10:2006

DARIN R. DAVIS,


v.


NEWMAR CORPORATION et al

Filed 1/4/06; pub. order 2/1/06 (see end of opn.)






IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA




SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT





DIVISION TWO






DARIN R. DAVIS,

Plaintiff and Respondent,

v.

NEWMAR CORPORATION et al.,

Defendants and Appellants.
B174944

(Los Angeles County

Super. Ct. No. BC272729)


APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County. Kenneth R. Freeman, Judge. Reversed.

Dykema Gossett and Patricia M. Coleman for Defendants and Appellants.

Law Offices of Lawrence J. Hutchens, Lawrence J. Hutchens and Michael S. Humphries for Plaintiff and Respondent.

_________________________

Following a jury verdict in favor of respondent Darin R. Davis (Davis), appellants Newmar Corporation (Newmar) and La Mesa R.V. Center, Inc. (La Mesa), filed the instant appeal, challenging the trial court's orders denying their pretrial motion to dismiss and their posttrial motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or for a new trial. While this appeal was pending, the Supreme Court's decision in Cummins, Inc. v. Superior Court (2005) 36 Cal.4th 478 (Cummins) was rendered. Pursuant to Cummins, we reverse the trial court's order denying the pretrial motion to dismiss. It follows that the judgment against appellants is reversed as well.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

In 2001, Davis negotiated terms for the purchase of a new 2002 Newmar Dutch Star motor home with retailer La Mesa, which is located in California. The sales contract provides that California law applies to the transaction. Consistent with California law, one of the terms of the sale required La Mesa to deliver the motor home to Davis in Nevada.

After delivery, respondent claimed that the motor home suffered defects, and La Mesa made repairs to the motor home. Dissatisfied with the repairs, Davis requested his money back. When Newmar refused, Davis filed suit for violation of the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (the Act), Civil Code section 1790 et seq.,[1] against Newmar, the manufacturer of the motor home, and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (Freightliner),[2] the chassis manufacturer. The complaint also sought rescission and revocation of acceptance against La Mesa.

Prior to trial, Freightliner filed a motion in limine, seeking an order of dismissal of the first cause of action on the grounds that the Act only applies to consumer goods sold in California and not to Davis's motor home purchase outside California. Newmar joined in the motion.

By stipulation, the trial court treated the motion in limine as a motion to dismiss. Relying upon Cummins, Inc. v. Superior Court (2003) 109 Cal.App.4th 1385, the trial court denied Newmar and Freightliner's motion.

On July 30, 2003, trial proceeded on Davis's first cause of action only. On August 11, 2003, the jury returned a verdict awarding respondent $191,876.95 in repurchase damages and a maximum civil penalty of $383,753.39. On October 6, 2003, the trial court granted Davis's motion for rescission and revocation of acceptance against La Mesa. Davis also was awarded attorney fees and prejudgment interest. Judgment was entered, Newmar's posttrial motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or, alternatively, motion for new trial was denied, and this timely appeal followed.

While the posttrial proceedings were pending, on September 10, 2003, the Supreme Court granted review of Cummins, Inc. v. Superior Court, supra, 109 Cal.App.4th 1385. The final decision was rendered on July 18, 2005. (Cummins, supra, 36 Cal.4th 478.)

DISCUSSION

Pursuant to Cummins, supra, 36 Cal.4th 478, we reverse the trial court's order denying Newmar's pretrial motion to dismiss.

The facts in Cummins are as follows: During a visit to Idaho, the plaintiffs, who are California residents, purchased a motor home. Thereafter, the plaintiffs filed a complaint in California against the manufacturer of the motor home and the manufacturer of the engine, alleging that the motor home did not conform to express warranties and that its engine was defectively manufactured. The first cause of action was a claim for breach of express warranty and violation of the Act. The plaintiffs sought actual damages, attorney fees, and a civil penalty. (Cummins, supra, 36 Cal.4th at p. 483.)

The manufacturer defendants then moved for summary adjudication of the first cause of action, urging that because the plaintiffs had purchased the motor home in Idaho and the Act only applies to vehicles purchased in California, their claim was barred. (Cummins, supra, 36 Cal.4th at p. 484.) The trial court denied the motion, the Court of Appeal denied the petition for writ of mandate, and the Supreme Court reversed. (Id. at pp. 484, 494.)

After setting forth the purpose and requirements of the Act, the Supreme Court considered whether the provisions of â€




Description A decision pretrial motion yo dismiss.
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