DaimlerChrysler Comments on Geier v American Honda Decision
23 May 2000
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Following the news of the Supreme Court's ruling on Monday, Ken Gluckman, Assistant General Counsel, DaimlerChrysler Corporation, issued this statement: "We are pleased with the Supreme Court's interpretation of the law. More importantly however, we believe that this interpretation supports the best public policy for automotive safety. "Had the decision gone the other way, it would have had a chilling effect on innovation. Automakers have a disincentive to innovate if they are uncertain as to what standard applies. "All citizens, including corporate citizens like DaimlerChrysler, want predictability and fairness in the law. This decision elevates the careful, objective and scientific policy-setting mechanisms, which the Congress has entrusted to the NHTSA, over inconsistent, often emotional decisions by juries in 50 different states."