Trial Begins in 1st Bellwether Ford Powershift Transmission Action

LOS ANGELES — Trial has begun in the first bellwether action in the Ford Powershift transmission multidistrict litigation, with the plaintiff arguing that Ford Motor Co. violated California law by refusing to repurchase and replace his 2013 Ford Focus, which has an allegedly defective DPS6 transmission.

Opening arguments took place on Nov. 5 before a jury sitting in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Judge Andre Birotte is presiding over the trial.

The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation created the MDL in 2018, consolidating dozens of lawsuits in which plaintiffs allege transmissions in the 2012-2016 Ford …