Ford Motor Co. v. Phelps

In this products liability case involving a defective automobile, we consider whether the trial court erroneously admitted without limitation certain documents in evidence under the modern Shopbook Rule.

In June 1981, appellee Billie Phelps’ employer purchased for her use from a Newport News automobile dealer a new 1981 Granada four-door sedan, manufactured by appellant Ford Motor Company. During the next one and one-half years, Phelps experienced problems with the vehicle on a weekly basis. The car stalled during normal operation, at which time it lost power to the steering and brake…