JMAR Express Inc et al v. Peterbilt of Memphis Inc et al

Filing 190

ORDER denying #105 Motion for Summary Judgment without prejudice; denying #149 Motion for Summary Judgment and #167 Motion to Dismiss without prejudice. Signed by Judge Billy Roy Wilson on 8/3/12. (kpr) (Additional attachment(s) added on 8/13/2012: #1 Main Document - Correct) (thd).

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
WESTERN DIVISION
JMAR EXPRESS, INC., et al.
v.

PLAINTIFFS
4:10CV01231-BRW

PETERBILT OF MEMPHIS, INC., et al.

DEFENDANTS

ORDER
Pending is a Motion for Summary Judgment by Defendants PACCAR, Inc. and Peterbilt
of Memphis, Inc. (Doc. No. 105). Plaintiffs have responded,1 and PACCAR and Peterbilt of
Memphis have replied.2
Also pending is a Motion for Summary Judgment by Defendant Caterpillar, Inc.
(“Caterpillar”) (Doc. No. 149). Plaintiffs have responded,3 and Caterpillar has replied.4
Defendant Caterpillar also filed a Motion to Dismiss Newly Asserted Claims (Doc.
No. 167). Plaintiffs have responded,5 and Caterpillar has replied.6
For the reasons set out below, the Motion for Summary Judgment by Defendants
PACCAR and Peterbilt of Memphis (Doc. No. 105) is DENIED without prejudice.
Caterpillar’s Motion for Summary Judgment and Motion to Dismiss the New Claims
Against It (Doc. Nos. 149, 167) are DENIED without prejudice.
I.

BACKGROUND
1

Doc. Nos. 132, 155.

2

Doc. No. 136.

3

Doc. No. 175.

4

Doc. No. 183.

5

Doc. No. 177.

6

Doc. No. 184.
1

This case involves allegedly defective tractor trucks. Plaintiffs JMAR Express Inc. and
CHRISCAT Leasing, Inc. (collectively “JMAR”) are trucking companies that purchased trucks
from Defendant Peterbilt of Memphis, Inc. (“POM”).7 Defendants8 manufacture and sell engines
and trucks. Peterbilt Motor Company (“Peterbilt”), an unincorporated division of Defendant
PACCAR, Inc., (“PACCAR”) designs and manufactures truck chassis and assembles trucks at its
various plants. PACCAR’s Peterbilt trucks had engines manufactured by either Defendant
Cummins, Inc. or Defendant Caterpillar, Inc. POM is an independently owned and operated
Peterbilt dealership in Memphis, Tennessee. JMAR sued Defendants for breach of express and
implied warranties; violations of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act; and fraud.9

This case was filed in the Circuit Court of White County, Arkansas,10 and later removed to this
Court based on diversity jurisdiction.11
In October, 2006, JMAR bought 38 Peterbilt trucks (the “2007 Trucks”) with Cummins
engines from POM. JMAR operated those trucks from 2006 through 2008.12 By the fall of
2008,

7

Plaintiff CHRISCAT Leasing, Inc. bought the trucks from POM and then leased the
trucks to Plaintiff JMAR Express, Inc.
8

Defendants Cummins Mid-South, LLC and Defendant J.A. Riggs Tractor Company
were dismissed. Doc. Nos. 25, 46. Plaintiff settled with Defendant Cummins, Inc. Doc. No.
104.
9

Doc. No. 162.

10

Case No. Civ-2010-679-1.

11

Doc. No. 1.

12

Doc. Nos. 151, 176.
2

JMAR was dissatisfied with the performance and service of the Cummins engines and
considered buying new trucks with different engines.13
Glenda Martin is president and sole shareholder of both CHRISCAT Leasing, Inc. and
JMAR Express, Inc.14 R.L. Rutherford was a vice-president and sales associate for POM and
JMAR’s long-time contact and salesman. Glenda Martin informed POM of the problems with
the Cummins engines; POM apparently notified PACCAR / Peterbilt representatives of
Ms. Martin’s complaints.15 In response, R.L. Rutherford and other Peterbilt representatives16
(the “Peterbilt representatives”) went to JMAR’s Searcy, Arkansas, office -- allegedly to entice
JMAR to trade in the 2007 Trucks and buy new trucks being sold by the Peterbilt
representatives.17 At the time, PACCAR offered its Peterbilt trucks with the choice of a
Cummins or Caterpillar engine.18
Plaintiffs allege that the Peterbilt representatives proposed that JMAR trade in its 2007
Trucks and buy Peterbilt trucks with Caterpillar engines. The Peterbilt representatives allegedly
assured JMAR that: the Caterpillar engines would solve JMAR’s engine problems; the
Caterpillar engines were compliant with the current Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”)
regulations; any problems with Caterpillar engines had been resolved; and that waiting to
purchase the next phase of Caterpillar engines would cost $10,000 more per engine because of
13

Id.

14

Doc. Nos. 151, 176.

15

Doc. No. 60.

16

Russell Cobb was the District Sales Manager of the Southeast Region of Peterbilt
Motors Company, a division of PACCAR. Dave Kirwan was the Regional Manager of the
Southeast Region of Peterbilt Motors Company.
17

Doc. No. 60.

18

Doc. Nos. 151, 176.
3

changing EPA regulations.19 JMAR maintains that in addition to the representations by the
Peterbilt representatives, it was aware of representations from Caterpillar, such as those on
Caterpillar’s web site, among others, that its engine was reliable and serviceable. JMAR
maintains that because of the contact by Peterbilt representatives, JMAR considered buying
other Peterbilt trucks.20
In March, 2009, JMAR bought from POM 10 Peterbilt Model 389 trucks with C15
engines manufactured by Caterpillar.21 In September, 2009, JMAR bought 27 more of the same
trucks (collectively, the “2010 Trucks”) from POM. The C15 engines included a component
after-treatment regeneration device (the “ARD” or “ARD head”). Caterpillar’s ARD head is a
proprietary component and process -- often referred to as the “regen” process -- that reduces
soot, and other particles, in truck exhaust gases so that the engines comply with the 2007 EPA
emissions standards.
JMAR received Caterpillar’s standard limited warranty covering the engine (“Caterpillar
Warranty”) along with each of the trucks it purchased. The Limited Warranty contained the
following provision (which was set out in all capital letters, bold type):
THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER
WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY
OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE,
EXCEPT CATERPILLAR EMISSION-RELATED COMPONENTS
WARRANTIES FOR NEW ENGINES, WHERE APPLICABLE. REMEDIES
ARE LIMITED TO THE PROVISION OF MATERIAL AND SERVICES, AS
SPECIFIED HEREIN. CATERPILLAR IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.

19

Doc. No. 162.

20

Doc. No. 176.

21

Doc. Nos. 151, 176.
4

CATERPILLAR EXCLUDES ALL LIABILITY FOR OR ARISING FROM
ANY NEGLIGENCE ON ITS PART OR ON THE PART OF ANY OF ITS
EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES IN RESPECT TO THE
MANUFACTURE OR SUPPLY OF GOODS OR THE PROVISION OF
SERVICES RELATING TO THE GOODS.22
Glenda Martin acknowledged that she had received the Limited Warranty, and that she read it
and knew what it provided.23
JMAR recieved from POM and PACCAR a Peterbilt Motors Company Warranty
Agreement (“POM Warranty”), which reads, in relevant part:
Peterbilt Motors Company warrant directly to you that the Peterbilt vehicle identified
below will be free from defects in materials and workmanship during the time and
mileage set forth in the Warranty Schedule (dated 07/08) and appearing under
normal commercial use and service. This warranty does not apply to the engine
and emission related equipment, engine brake, automatic transmission, tires,
wheels and/or rims, or fifth wheel, which are warranted directly to you by their
respective manufacturers,24 items not installed by the Peterbilt plant at the time of
manufacture, or trade accessories. This warranty extends only to you, the First
Purchaser.
Your sole and exclusive remedy against Peterbilt Motors Company and the selling
Peterbilt Dealer arising from your purchase and use of this vehicle is limited to the
repair or replacement of defective materials or workmanship at Authorized U.S. and
Canadian Peterbilt Dealers to the extent of Peterbilt Motors Company’s obligations
under the Warranty Schedule. The maximum time and mileage limits in the
Warranty Schedule being in the Date of Delivery to the First Purchaser as shown
below and apply to the times and mileage when then vehicle is brought into an
authorized U.S. or Canadian Peterbilt Dealer for correction of warrantable defects.25

22

Doc. No. 149.

23

Doc. Nos. 151, 176.

24

Emphasis added.

25

Doc. No. 105.
5

The POM Warranty continued, in bold print:
Except for the above warranty, Peterbilt Motors Company and the selling
Peterbilt Dealer make no other warranties, express or implied, and make NO
WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE.26
It further read:
It is agreed that Peterbilt Motors Company and the selling Peterbilt Dealer shall not
be liable for incidental or consequential damages including, but not limited to: loss
of income; damage to vehicle, attachments, trailers and cargo; towing expenses;
attorney’s fees and any liability you may have in respect to any other person.27
Lannie Martin, JMAR’s director of operations and maintenance,28 signed the POM
Warranty directly under the following language:
I, the undersigned, have read the above warranty agreement including the attached
schedule and understand and accept its terms and acknowledge receipt of a copy of
the agreement (3 pages).29
Additionally, POM’s Buyer’s Order forms, which were signed by Glenda Martin,
included a POM disclaimer of warranty, which read:
THE ONLY WARRANTIES ON THE VEHICLE SOLD UNDER THIS BUYER’S
ORDER ARE THOSE WARRANTIES MADE BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE
SELLER, PETERBILT OF MEMPHIS, INC., HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS
ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY
IMPOALIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND PETERBILT OF MEMPHIS, INC., NEITHER
ASSUME NOR AUTHORIZED ANY OTHER PERSON TO ASSUME FOR IT
ANY LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE OF THIS VEHICLE.
THIS DISCLAIMER BY THE SELLER, PETERBILT OF MEMPHIS, INC. IN NO
WAY AFFECTS THE TERMS OF THE MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY.

26

Doc. No. 105.

27

Id.

28

Id.

29

Id.
6

The Buyer’s Order form disclaimer of warranties was in all capital letters, in a font the same size
or smaller than much of the other print around it, and there was no bold type.
JMAR operated the 2010 Trucks for around two years, but contends that the Caterpillar
engine did not perform as represented beginning with the first delivery of the 2010 Trucks.30
The 2010 Trucks were repeatedly in the shop at J A Riggs Tractor Company, which was
authorized to make Caterpillar repairs, but allegedly to no avail. JMAR contends that Peterbilt
and Caterpillar representatives made false, misleading, deceptive, and unconscionable
misrepresentations and omissions about the Caterpillar engines, as well as failed to respond or
remedy the engine problems. Defendants deny the allegations.
II.

DISCUSSION
A.

The Motions for Summary Judgment
1.

Summary Judgment Standard

Summary judgment is appropriate only when there is no genuine issue of material fact, so
that the dispute may be decided on purely legal grounds.31 The Supreme Court has established
guidelines to assist trial courts in determining whether this standard has been met:
The inquiry performed is the threshold inquiry of determining whether there is the
need for a trial -- whether, in other words, there are any genuine factual issues that
properly can be resolved only by a finder of fact because they may reasonably be
resolved in favor of either party.32
The Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has cautioned that summary judgment is an

30

See Doc. No. 162; Doc. No. 167, Ex. A. at 152.

31

Holloway v. Lockhart, 813 F.2d 874 (8th Cir. 1987); Fed. R. Civ. P. 56.

32

Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 250 (1986).
7

extreme remedy that should be granted only when the movant has established a right to the
judgment beyond controversy.33 Nevertheless, summary judgment promotes judicial economy
by preventing trial when no genuine issue of fact remains.34 I must view the facts in the light
most favorable to the party opposing the motion.35 The Eighth Circuit has also set out the burden
of the parties in connection with a summary judgment motion:
[T]he burden on the party moving for summary judgment is only to demonstrate,
i.e.,“[to point] out to the District Court,” that the record does not disclose a genuine
dispute on a material fact. It is enough for the movant to bring up the fact that the
record does not contain such an issue and to identify that part of the record which
bears out his assertion. Once this is done, his burden is discharged, and, if the record
in fact bears out the claim that no genuine dispute exists on any material fact, it is
then the respondent’s burden to set forth affirmative evidence, specific facts,
showing that there is a genuine dispute on that issue. If the respondent fails to carry
that burden, summary judgment should be granted.36
Only disputes over facts that may affect the outcome of the suit under governing law will
properly preclude the entry of summary judgment.37
2.

Caterpillar’s Motion for Summary Judgment

Caterpillar’s motion for summary judgment focuses on the Caterpillar Warranty.
Caterpillar maintains that its disclaimer conforms to the requirements of Arkansas law38 and was
effective to exclude the warranties JMAR has asserted. Caterpillar also maintains that because
33

Inland Oil & Transport Co. v. United States, 600 F.2d 725, 727 (8th Cir. 1979).

34

Id. at 728.

35

Id. at 727-28.

36

Counts v. MK-Ferguson Co., 862 F.2d 1338, 1339 (8th Cir. 1988) (quoting City of Mt.
Pleasant v. Associated Elec. Coop., 838 F.2d 268, 273-74 (8th Cir. 1988) (citations omitted)).
37

Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248.

38

Ark. Code Ann. § 4-2-316 provides, in part: “to exclude or modify the implied warranty
of merchantability or any part of it the language must mention merchantability and in case of
writing must be conspicuous, and to exclude or modify any implied warranty of fitness the
exclusion must be by a writing and conspicuous.”
8

JMAR cannot identify an incident where a warranty claim was rejected and because Caterpillar
is not liable for incidental or consequential damages, JMAR has no valid claim against it.
Under the Caterpillar Warranty, the buyer’s remedies are limited to repair or
replacement. The Caterpillar Warranty also limited the buyer’s remedies by excluding implied
warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, as well as excluding
consequential damages. Arkansas law allows such limitations, “unless circumstances cause the
exclusive or limited remedy to fail of its essential purpose.”39 An example of a circumstance that
causes a limited remedy to fail of its essential purpose is when repeated repairs do not resolve a
problem -- a limited warranty “fails whenever the warrantor, given the opportunity to do so, fails
to correct the defect within a reasonable period.”40
Caterpillar points out that in Turman v. Case Corporation,41 the Eighth Circuit noted that
a repair or replace clause similar to that in the Caterpillar Warranty “does not fail of its essential

39

Great Dane Trailer Sales, Inc. v. Malvern Pulpwood, Inc., 301 Ark. 436, 441 (1990);
Ark. Code Ann. § 4-2-709.
(1) Subject to the provisions of subsections (2) and (3) of this section and of the
preceding section on liquidation and limitation of damages,
(a) the agreement may provide for remedies in addition to or in substitution for
those provided in this chapter and may limit or alter the measure of damages recoverable
under this chapter, as by limiting the buyer's remedies to return of the goods and
repayment of the price or to repair and replacement of nonconforming goods or parts; and
(b) resort to a remedy as provided is optional unless the remedy is expressly
agreed to be exclusive, in which case it is the sole remedy.
(2) Where circumstances cause an exclusive or limited remedy to fail of its essential
purpose, remedy may be had as provided in this subtitle.
(3) Consequential damages may be limited or excluded unless the limitation or exclusion
is unconscionable. Limitation of consequential damages for injury to the person in the
case of consumer goods is prima facie unconscionable but limitation of damages where
the loss is commercial is not.
40

41

Great Dane, 301 Ark. at 441.
No. 99-1946, 1999 U.S. App. Lexis 29355 (8th Cir. Nov. 9, 1999)
9

purpose so long as repairs are made each time a defect arises.”42 In the District Court, Turman
argued that despite numerous repairs, certain defects were not corrected.43 The District Court
noted the rule in Arkansas -- “if the buyer is deprived of the substantial value of his bargain, the
limitation of remedy is deemed to have failed of its essential purpose”44 -- then went on to hold
that “fourteen breakdowns over a six-month period spread among seven different tractors does
not constitute the loss of ‘the substantial value of [the plaintiff’s] bargain.’”45 In reaching its
conclusion, the District Court considered the following questions:
could a jury find that the repairs required an unreasonable amount of time so as to
conclude that the warranties had failed of their essential purposes; or were there so
many required repairs that the tractors were out of commission for an unreasonable
amount of time; or did the number of repairs coupled with the time required for the
repairs keep the buyer from receiving the intended benefit of his bargain?46
It is undisputed that JMAR cannot identify any warranted repair that they presented to
Caterpillar that was not accepted and completed in accordance with the Caterpillar Warranty.47
It appears, however, that the same components and systems required repair repeatedly, even if
the repair, at first blush, apparently had been made. In opposition to Caterpillar’s Motion for
Summary Judgment, JMAR points out that for the 37-truck fleet, there were 697 claims during

42

Turman v. Case Corp., No. 99-1946, 1999 U.S. App. Lexis 29355, at *2 (8th Cir.
Nov. 9, 1999) (citing Transport Corp. of Am., Inc. v. Int’l Bus. Machs. Corp., Inc., 30 F.3d 953,
959 (8th Cir. 1994) (applying Minnesota law to uphold limited remedy of replace or repair
warranty where there was only a single failure that was repaired.)).
43

Rick Turman v. Case Corporation, No. J-C-482, Doc. No. 20 (E.D. Ark. Mar. 3, 1999).

44

Id. (citing Waterson, 13 Ark. App. 77 (1984)).

45

Id.

46

Id.

47

Doc. Nos. 151, 176.
10

the 26.4 months that the trucks were in use -- or about 18.8 claims per truck.48 Of the 697
claims, 592 related to emission components and systems. JMAR alleges that it notified
Defendants about the defects, but the defects were not corrected.49
JMAR asserts that where an exclusive remedy deprives the purchaser of a substantial
benefit of its bargain, the entire range of remedies is available, citing Caterpillar Tractor Co. v.
Waterson50 in support of its position. In Waterson, a bulldozer had a constant vibration. The
warranty disclaimed all remedies beyond repair and replacement. After numerous attempts at
repair, the vibration was not remedied. The limited warranty in that case failed in its essential
purpose, and the plaintiff was allowed to seek damages for lost profits.51
Here, the record reflects that 697 claims were made over 26.4 months in use, and 592
claims involved the emission components and systems. This means that each engine had about
16 claims for emissions-related problems, and that a truck was in repair for emissions-related
issues for an undetermined amount of time about once every 6 weeks. This is twice as frequent
as the breakdowns in Turman, and the record contains no data how long the repairs took. There
is a question of fact as to whether the Caterpillar Warranty failed of its essential purpose.
Accordingly, Caterpillar’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. No. 149) is DENIED without
prejudice.

3.

PACCAR and POM’s Motion for Summary Judgment

48

Doc. No. 176.

49

Doc. No. 162.

50

13 Ark. App. 77, 82 (1984).

51

Id. at 85-86.
11

a.

The Warranty Claims

PACCAR and POM contend that any implied warranties of merchantability and fitness
for a particular purpose were specifically excluded under the POM Warranty. As set out above,
limiting remedies is allowed under Arkansas law, if the disclaimer is in writing and is
conspicuous. Conspicuous, as used in the Uniform Commercial Code,
means so written, displayed, or presented that a reasonable person against which it
is to operate ought to have noticed it. Whether a term is “conspicuous” or not is a
decision for the court. Conspicuous terms include the following: (A) a heading in
capitals equal or greater in size than the surrounding text, or in contrasting type, font,
or color to the surrounding text of the same or lesser size; and (B) language in the
body of a record or display in larger type than the surrounding text, or in contrasting
type, font, or color to the surrounding text of the same size, or set off from
surrounding text of the same size by symbols or other marks that call attention to the
language.52
The warranty disclaimer and limitations of liability were set out in bold type, and, in part,
capital letters. I find that the disclaimer and limitations were conspicuous.
The POM Warranty further provided that “[t]his warranty does not apply to the engine
and emission related equipment . . . , which are warranted directly to you by their respective
manufacturers . . . .”53
Lannie Martin signed the Warranty Agreements just underneath the language: “I, the
undersigned have read the above warranty agreement including the attached schedule and
understand and accept its terms and acknowledge receipt of a copy of the agreement (3 pages).”
Glenda Martin testified that she was aware that PACCAR / Peterbilt did not warrant the engines.

52

Ark. Code Ann. § 4-1-201(b)(10).

53

Doc. No. 105.
12

JMAR knew at the time it singed the warranty agreements what the POM Warranty covered, and
what it did not.54
JMAR raises the timing of the presentation of the warranties. In Mack Trucks of
Arkansas, Inc. v. Jet Asphalt & Rock Company,55 the Arkansas Supreme Court found a
disclaimer of liability ineffective because the warranty was provided after the trucks in question
had been delivered. The Arkansas Supreme Court pointed out that
[t]he very purpose of the statutory requirement is that any limitation be brought to
the attention of the contract is made. An attempted limitation at the time of delivery
long after a contract of purchase is signed does not accomplish this purpose, being
a unilateral attempt of a party to limit its obligations.56
Courts have noted an issue with timeliness where the warranty was revised two years after the
product was delivered,57 for example. Here, the POM Warranty for the first 10 trucks notes a
date of sale of April 20, 2009, with an identical delivery date.58 The POM Warranty for the
remaining 27 trucks indicates a date of sale of September 22, 2009, and a delivery date of
September 30, 2009.59 A one-week lag between the sale date and delivery date of 27 trucks is
not the type of delay about which the Arkansas Supreme Court was concerned in Jet Asphalt.
Further, JMAR received the same POM Warranty with the first 10 trucks, and was aware of the
limitations in the POM Warranty.

54

Doc. Nos. 151, 176.

55

246 Ark. 101 (1969).

56

Id. at 108-09.

57

Boshears v. Certainteed Corp., No. 4:05-CV-01052-WRW, 2007 U.S. Dist. Lexis
34338, at *19 (E.D. Ark. May 10, 2007),
58

Doc. No. 105, Ex. 2.

59

Id.
13

JMAR also sued for breach of verbal express warranties allegedly made by the Peterbilt
Representatives at their meeting with JMAR. PACCAR and POM contend that the Arkansas
Parole Evidence Rule bars the introduction into evidence any prior agreement to contradict the
terms of the warranty agreement.60 The Buyer’s Order Forms set out:
This Order contains the entire agreement affecting this purchase and no other
agreement, understanding, or representation of any nature concerning same has been
made or entered into or is part of this transaction, except the conditional sales
contract in writing executed by the undersigned buyer,61 as purchaser thereunder and
such other documents as may be necessary to carry out the terms of this agreement.62
The Buyers Order Forms also contain a warranty disclaimer, which had a bold heading was in
all-caps and the same or smaller font size as the type around it. It was not in bold type. I find
that the disclaimer and limitation in that provision is not conspicuous, and thus ineffective.
The POM Warranty is a written contract between the parties and unambiguously explains
the disclaimers and limitations. PACCAR and POM contend that this should be the end of the
story, that evidence of earlier statements should barred by the parole evidence rule. “The parole
evidence rule requires, in the absence of fraud . . . . the exclusion of all prior or
contemporaneous, oral or written evidence that would add to or vary the parties’ integrated
written contract, which is unambiguous.”63 Plaintiffs allege fraud, and it appears that the alleged
fraudulent statements and the alleged verbal warranties are intertwined. There are facts in
dispute about the alleged misrepresentations, so granting summary judgment on the warranty
claims at this point would be inappropriate.

60

Bone v. Resco, Inc., 774 F.2d 235 (8th Cir. 1985).

61

62

Doc. No. 105, Ex. 1.

63

Walt Bennet Ford, Inc. v. Dyer, 4 Ark. App. 354, 355 (1982).
14

b.

JMAR’s Revocation Claim

On May 20, 2010, JMAR sent POM, PACCAR / Peterbilt, and Caterpillar a letter that
purported to revoke acceptance of the 2010 Trucks.64 JMAR apparently continued to use the
trucks for around a year after it sent its letter revoking acceptance of the trucks. Continued use
after revocation is not the norm.65 But Arkansas courts have found that post-revocation use will
not invariably cancel revocation.66 “The issue is determined on a case by case basis, with the
reasonableness of post-revocation use being the underlying consideration, taken in conjunction
with a consideration of all the other elements necessary to effect a justifiable revocation.”67
There remain unresolved issues of fact about JMAR’s post-revocation use of the 2010 Trucks,
which makes summary judgment inappropriate.
c.

The Fraud and Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Claims

Under Arkansas law, a plaintiff must show the following to establish fraud: (1) a false
representation of material fact; (2) knowledge that the representation is false or that there is
insufficient evidence up which to make the representation; (3) intent to induce action or inaction
in reliance upon the representation; (4) justifiable reliance on the representation; and damage
suffered as a result of the reliance.68 Under Rule 9(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure,
fraud must be plead specifically enough to answer the “who, what, where, when, and how” of the

64

Doc. No. 105, Ex. 12.

65

Ozark Kenworth, Inc. v. Neidecker, 283 Ark. 196 (1984).

66

Id. at 201.

67

Id.

68

Goforth v. Smith, 338 Ark. 65 (1999).
15

alleged fraud.69 The high degree of notice “is intended to enable the defendant to respond
specifically and quickly to the potentially damaging allegations.”70
JMAR’s Complaint pleads fraud sufficiently to satisfy Rule 9.
The Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act71 (“ADTPA”) focuses on consumer
protection in connection with trade practices.72 The ADTPA makes “[e]ngaging in any . . .
unconscionable, false, or deceptive act or practice in business, commerce, or trade . . . ”
unlawful.73 The Arkansas Supreme Court defined an unconscionable act as “an act that ‘affronts
the sense of justice, decency, or reasonableness.’”74 Any person who suffered actual damage or
injury because of a violation of the ADTPA has a private cause of action to recover damages.75
“Actual damage or injury is sustained when the product has actually malfunctioned . . . .”76
The basis of JMAR’s fraud and ADTPA claims are alleged omissions and
misrepresentations about the 2010 Trucks. There are facts in dispute as to what JMAR or

69

Drobnak v. Andersen Corp., 561 F.3d 778, 783 (8th Cir. 2010) (“[T]he complaint must
allege ‘such matters as the time, place, and contents of the false representations, as well as the
identity of the person making the misrepresentation and what was obtained or given up
thereby.’”) (internal citations omitted).
70

Id.

71

Ark. Code Ann. §§ 4-88-101 to 4-88-503.

72

See id.

73

Ark. Code. Ann. § 4-88-107(a)(10).

74

Baptist Health v. Murphy, 365 Ark. 115, 128 (2006) (citing Black’s Law Dictionary
1561 (8th ed. 2004)).
75

Ark. Code Ann. § 4-88-113(f). If appropriate, attorneys fees may also be awarded under
this section.
76

Wallis v. Ford Motor Co., 362 Ark. 317, 328 (2005) (holding that diminished value of a
product is not actual damage). See also FMC Corp. v. Helton, 360 Ark. 465, 482-483 (2005)
(finding that damages for mental anguish are separate from actual damages).
16

PACCAR knew about the Caterpillar engines at the time of the alleged omissions and
misrepresentations, as well as to what misrepresentations and omissions were made, which
makes summary judgment on these claims inappropriate.
B.

Caterpillar’s Rule 12(b)(6) Motion to Dismiss New Claims

JMAR’s Second Amended Complaint (“Complaint”) includes allegations of fraud and
violations of the ADTPA against Caterpillar. Caterpillar asks that these newly-asserted claims
be dismissed. Again, the basis of JMAR’s fraud and ADTPA claims are alleged omissions and
misrepresentations about the 2010 Trucks.
1.

Dismissal Standard

In ruling on a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, a court “accept[s] as true all of the factual
allegations contained in the complaint, and review[s] the complaint to determine whether its
allegations show that the pleader is entitled to relief.”77 All reasonable inferences from the
complaint must be drawn in favor of the nonmoving party.78 A motion to dismiss should not be
granted merely because the complaint “does not state with precision all elements that give rise to
a legal basis for recovery.”79 A complaint need contain only “‘a short and plain statement of the
claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.’”80 “[O]nce a claim has been stated
adequately, it may be supported by showing any set of facts consistent with the allegations in the
complaint.”81 “While a complaint attacked by a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss does not need

77

Schaaf v. Residential Funding Corp., 517 F.3d 544, 549 (8th Cir. 2008).

78

Crumpley-Patterson v. Trinity Lutheran Hosp., 388 F.3d 588, 590 (8th Cir. 2004).

79

Schmedding v. Tnemec Co. Inc., 187 F.3d 862, 864 (8th Cir. 1999).

80

Id. (quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)).

81

Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 563 (2007).
17

detailed factual allegations, a plaintiff’s obligation to provide the ‘grounds’ of his ‘entitle[ment]
to relief’ requires more than labels and conclusions, and a formulaic recitation of the elements of
a cause of action will not do.”82
Under the Twombly “plausibility standard,” the allegations in Plaintiff’s Complaint must
be evaluated to determine whether they contain facts sufficient to “nudge[] [his] claims across
the line from conceivable to plausible.”83 A complaint must contain sufficient factual matter,
accepted as true, to state a claim that is plausible on its face.84
Under Rule 12(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, if, on a motion under Rule
12(b)(6), matters outside of the pleadings are presented to and not excluded by the court, the
motion must be treated as a motion for summary judgment under Federal Rule of Civil
Procedure 56.85
2.

Fraud

The elements of fraud under Arkansas law and the federal pleading standard are set out
above.
JMAR alleges that after the meeting with the Peterbilt Representatives, JMAR contacted
Doug Anders. Mr. Anders’s deposition testimony reflects that Caterpillar had problems with the
regen system in the past, but he learned in training what Caterpillar did to improve those
functions.86 Mr. Anders further testified about what he told Mr. Martin:

82

Id. at 555 (citations omitted).

83

Id. at 570.

84

Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 129 S. Ct. 1937, 1940 (2009) (quoting Bell Atlantic Corp. v.
Twombly, 127 S. Ct. 1955, 1974 (2007)).
85

FED. R. CIV. P. 9; Ashanti v. City of Golden Valley, 666 F.3d 1148 (8th Cir. 2012).

86

Doc. No. 167, Ex. E at 15.
18

“The thing I told him at that time is that Caterpillar has improved the regeneration
system. Caterpillar called it an EPA2007 update. In other words, they changed a lot of
hardware.”87
“They did change a lot of software. And in that time frame, on the engines that were on –
on order . . . were already EPA2007 updated at the factory.”88
“I wouldn’t think I gave him a comfort. I think I more or less gave him the information
of the question that he asked.”89
Mr. Anders told Mr. Martin that, based on what he knew, Caterpillar had resolved the
regen problems, that the updated engines would be delivered in new trucks, and that this would
resolve the problem.90 Mr. Anders gained his knowledge about Caterpillar updates from Greg
Haider, his Caterpillar service representative in Dallas, Texas.91
Caterpillar asserts that Mr. Anders’s representations are mere puffing, or statements of
opinion that cannot stand as the basis for a fraud claim. I disagree. An opinion is “a statement
concerning a matter not susceptible of accurate knowledge.”92 Mr. Anders’s statements -explaining what changes Caterpillar made in resolving the regen problem, and assuring that the
problem had been resolved -- were susceptible of accurate knowledge. Further, JMAR alleges
that Caterpillar concealed problems with the engines. There are unresolved questions of fact as

87

Id. at 18.

88

Id.

89

Id. at 18-19.

90

Id. at 15.

91

Doc. No. 167, Ex. E 19, 50.

92

Delta School of Commerce, Inc. v. Wood, 298 Ark. 195, 199 (1989) (citing Grendell v.
Kiehl, 291 Ark. 228 (1987)).
19

to what was known about the performance of the C15 engine at the time, and as to the alleged
misrepresentations and omissions.
Caterpillar next contends that it had no contact with JMAR in the period leading up to
JMAR’s purchase of the 2010 Trucks. Caterpillar maintains that Mr. Anders is an employee of
JA Riggs Tractor Company -- an authorized Caterpillar repair shop -- not a Caterpillar employee
or agent.93 Caterpillar offers Mr. Anders’s deposition testimony in support of its argument that
Anders is not a Caterpillar representative or agent. But Mr. Anders’s testimony is inconclusive.
When asked if Riggs is a part of the Caterpillar, Inc. organization, Mr. Anders replied “I do not
know.”94 He then testified that his paycheck comes from Riggs, and that there is a distinction
between Riggs, the dealership, and Caterpillar, the manufacturer.95 It is unclear from the
testimony what type of distinction exists between Riggs and Caterpillar; Mr. Anders’s testimony
does not exclude the possibility of an agency relationship. There remain unresolved questions of
fact as to Caterpillar’s role in any alleged misrepresentations or omissions.
3.

Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act

Under the ADTPA, engaging in an unconscionable, false, or deceptive act or business
practice is unlawful, as is the use of deception, fraud, or false pretense and the omission or
concealment of any material fact when used in connection with the sale of a good.96 There
remain questions of fact in dispute about alleged misrepresentations and omissions, making it
inappropriate to grant Caterpillar’s Motion on this point.

93

Caterpillar also point out that JMAR had contact with Greg Haider, a Caterpillar
employee, only after it bought the 2010 Trucks.
94

Doc. No. 167, Ex. E at 64.

95

Id.

96

Ark. Code Ann. §§ 4-88-107(a)(10); 4-88-108(2).
20

CONCLUSION
The Motion for Summary Judgment by Defendants PACCAR and Peterbilt of Memphis
(Doc. No. 105) DENIED without prejudice.
Defendant Caterpillar’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. No. 149) and Motion to
Dismiss (Doc. No. 167) are DENIED without prejudice.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 3rd day of August, 2012.

/s/ Billy Roy Wilson
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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