Chrysler Group, LLC v. Eagle Auto-Mall Corp.

Filing 96

ORDER REGARDING DEFENDANTS AMENDED MOTION FOR STATUS CONFERENCE TO SET PHASE II DISCOVERY SCHEDULE (Doc. 80).. Signed by District Judge Avern Cohn. (MVer)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
SOUTHERN DIVISION

CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC,
Plaintiff,
v.

Case No. 14-12964

EAGLE AUTO-MALL CORP.,

HON. AVERN COHN

Defendant.
_________________________________________/
ORDER REGARDING DEFENDANT’S AMENDED MOTION FOR STATUS
CONFERENCE TO SET PHASE II DISCOVERY SCHEDULE (Doc. 80).
I.
This is a business dispute in a automotive dealer relationship. The parties’
relationship dates back to 1998 when Chrysler, FCA’s1 predecessor, awarded Eagle a
Jeep dealership in Riverside, NY. Eagle’s dealership did not survive Chrysler’s 2009
bankruptcy; however, Eagle prevailed in arbitration in 2010. In accordance with the
arbitration decision, and after a lawsuit over the terms of the parties’ relationship,
provided Eagle with a Letter of Intent (LOI) regarding Eagle operating an FCA
dealership.
In July 2014, FCA sued Eagle in state court seeking declaratory relief on the
grounds that Eagle has, or will, breach the LOI. Eagle removed the case to federal
court on the grounds of diversity jurisdiction. Eagle also counterclaimed, asserting the
following claims:

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Effective December 15, 2014, Chrysler is now known as FCA US LLC (FCA).

Count I

Declaratory Relief as to Modification of the LOI and FCA’s Breach

Count II

Contract Reformation

Count III

Breach of Contract and Duty of Good Faith and Fair Dealing

Count IV

Fraud

Count V

Promissory Estoppel

The Court divided the case into two phases. Phase I involved Eagle’s claims for
reformation of the LOI and modification. Phase II involved the parties’ remaining claims.
Phase II was stayed pending the outcome of Phase I. See Doc. 22.
FCA moved for summary judgment on Counts I and II, i.e the claims in Phase I.
The Court granted the motion. (Doc. 60) After additional motion practice and the filing
of a second amended counterclaim, see Doc. 75, the following claims are at issue:
FCA’s claim for declaratory relief
Eagle’s claim for breach of contract
II. Pending Motions
There are three (3) pending motions, all of which are fully briefed:
1.

FCA’s motion for summary judgment (Doc. 77)

2.

Eagle’s Amended Motion for Status Conference to Set Phase II
Discovery Schedule (Doc. 80)

3.

Eagle’s Motion for Summary Judgment, contained in its response to FCA’s
motion for summary judgment, (Doc. 81)

III.
On March 10, 2016, the Court held a telephone conference to discuss Eagle’s
motion for a status conference. As stated during the conference, discovery is deferred
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until the pending summary judgment motions are resolved. If anything remains of the
case after resolution of either Eagle’s breach of contract claim or FCA’s declaratory
relief request, the issue of whether additional discovery is necessary will then be
considered.
SO ORDERED.
S/Avern Cohn
AVERN COHN
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Dated: March 10, 2016
Detroit, Michigan

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