"Did Ford aim to deceive? $2 billion trial in Explorer-safety suit opens in capital"

On Wednesday, the Sacramento Bee reported here on a very interesting UCL and CLRA class action in which trial began last week. As the article explains:

The lawyers outlined their cases in opening statements Tuesday in a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of more than 400,000 Ford Explorer owners statewide.

The lawsuit consolidates cases from Northern and Southern California and seeks a return of unjust profits under the state's unfair competition and false advertising laws.

With a half-dozen high-powered lawyers on each side, it is being tried in Sacramento Superior Court before Judge David DeAlba, who will decide the case without a jury.

The case is Ford Explorer Cases, JCCP Nos. 4266 & 4270. I am informed that in March, Judge DeAlba denied defense motions to decertify the class and for summary judgment on the UCL and CLRA claims, allowing the action to proceed to trial.