A lawsuit brought by the State of California against six vehicle manufacturers has been dismissed by San Francisco-based federal judge.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more


The judge said the courts do not have the authority to decide injury lawsuits concerning global warming, according to the New York Times (NYT).


California had accused the six largest vehicle manufacturers in the US – Ford, GM, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan and Honda – of harming human health and the environment by producing vehicles that contribute to global warming. California claimed that the six companies accounted for more than 20% of harmful carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, and 30% of those in California.


The suit was filed in September 2006 by state attorney general Bill Lockyer. Lockyer was seeking potentially billions of dollars of damage to water supplies, coastline, forests, wildlife and public health.


The dismissal of the case is good news for the vehicle manufacturers who last week lost a case in Vermont that allows individual states to set greenhouse gas emissions limits.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Vermont and 12 other states are planning to introduce limits along the lines of those adopted in California. The same six vehicle manufacturers are challenging the limits in California.


According to the NYT, the judge wrote that, “The adjudication of plaintiff’s claim would require the court to balance the competing interests of reducing global warming emissions and the interests of advancing and preserving economic and industrial development.”


He added that it is the role of government and politics to determine initial policy with regard to global warming, and that any legal decisions taken now could undermine the choices available to them.


Supreme Court to rule on landmark emissions case