Motion to Bifurcate (William A. Crowfoot)

Case Number: 23AHCV01193    Hearing Date: November 18, 2025    Dept: 3

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES – NORTHEAST DISTRICT

Defendant American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (“Defendant”) requests that the Court bifurcate trial so that liability is determined before any assessment of punitive damages. On November 4, 2025, plaintiffs Sumayya Aasi and Human Aasi (collectively, “Plaintiffs”) filed a brief opposing Defendant’s motion in part. No reply brief is on file.

Defendant moves to bifurcate the trial so that no evidence of its profits or financial condition in support of punitive damages is introduced in the liability portion of the trial. In opposition, Plaintiffs argue that Defendant’s request to exclude evidence and “arguments to the effect that Defendant ‘deserves to be punished’ or should be ‘made an example of’” is improper because arguments concerning deterrence or punishment are necessarily associated with and relevant to Plaintiffs’ claim for civil penalties under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. The Court disagrees. The civil penalties are determined based on Defendant’s willful violation of SBA, which do not require any arguments regarding deterrence or punitive measures.

Accordingly, Defendant’s motion to bifurcate is GRANTED.

Dated this 18th day of November 2025