GREENBELT, Md. (Dec. 31, 2008) — Michelin North America Inc. and American Honda Motor Co. Inc. have settled a class-action lawsuit involving Michelin´s Pax run-flat tire/wheel system.
A hearing on the proposed settlement—the detaiils of which weren't disclosed—is scheduled for Jan. 14. Michelin and Honda filed a motion Dec. 29 in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt requesting permission to file papers Jan. 7 in support of preliminary approval of a settlement.
The companies have been embroiled in an ongoing court battle involving Pax tires that were original equipment on 2005-07 Honda Odyssey Touring edition and 2006-07 Acura RL vehicle models. Lawsuits filed against the companies alleged they failed to disclose that "neither they nor any third parties maintained sufficient repair or replacement facilities" to meet consumers´ needs for the tires, that the costs of repairing and replacing the tires is unreasonable and the tires are "defective and susceptible to premature wear."
The litigation sought injunctive relief, damages and restitution on behalf of a projected class including owners of Honda and Acura vehicle models that came equipped with Pax tires.
Peter Herzog III, the attorney handling the case for Michelin, said he is "not at liberty" to discuss the lawsuit. Representatives from both companies could not be reached for comment.
The lawsuits, initially filed in Arizona, Illinois, Florida and New York, were consolidated Feb. 15 in the District of Maryland. Two additional actions were filed in the Central District of California, which the court said it would treat as a potential tag-along action.