Lloyd Design Corp. v. Mercedes-Benz of N. Am., Inc.

Opinion

BOREN, P. J.

A distributor in one of this state’s most competitive fields —automobile sales—decided to include floor mats as standard equipment in its vehicles to compete with other car manufacturers which offer standard floor mats and to satisfy a perceived consumer demand for increasing levels of comfort and convenience in new automobiles. A floor mat manufacturer sued under the Cartwright Act, claiming that it was financially damaged because floor mats did not remain an optional accessory. We find no violation of California antitrust law and affirm the judgment in favor of the car…