Holmquist v. Volkswagen of America, Inc.

SNELL, Judge.

Defendants appeal judgment rendered for plaintiff in the amount of $498,000. A jury found defendants liable for plaintiffs injuries arising out of the manufacture and sale of a defective product. The product was a 1970 Porsche 914 automobile. The case was predicated on the theory of strict liability.

Plaintiff August J. Holmquist was riding as a passenger in the Porsche automobile when it left the road and overturned. The vehicle was being driven by the owner, Judith A. Kilmer. She purchased the car four days earlier from defendant, Gruber, Porsche/Audi, Inc., the authorized…