BRYANT vs GENERAL MOTORS, LLC, et al.

25CV120910: BRYANT vs GENERAL MOTORS, LLC, et al. 09/02/2026 Hearing on Motion for Stay of Proceedings filed by ANTHONY BRYANT (Plaintiff) CRS# 539786872985 in Department 20

Tentative Ruling - 08/31/2026 Thomas Eagle Weathers

The Motion re: NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION TO STAY PROCEEDINGS filed by ANTHONY BRYANT on 05/15/2026 is Denied.

Plaintiff Anthony Bryant’s Motion for Stay is DENIED.

BACKGROUND

On or about January 15, 2016, Plaintiff Anthony Bryant (“Plaintiff”) purchased a 2016 Chevrolet Volt (“the Subject Vehicle”). (First Amended Complaint ¶ 6.) The Subject Vehicle was accompanied by warranties issued by Defendant General Motors, LLC (“Defendant” or “GM”). (Id. ¶ 7.)

Plaintiff initiated this action on April 29, 2025. The operative Second Amended Complaint (“SAC”) filed on August 5, 2026, alleges violations of the Song-Beverly Act and Fraudulent Inducement – Concealment.

Plaintiff now moves to stay these proceedings pending based on an appeal currently pending before the Court of Appeal, Second District, Division 1, No. B353231, Price v. General Motors, LLC.

LEGAL STANDARD

Trial courts possess inherent authority to, in their discretion, stay proceedings in appropriate circumstances, including malpractice actions that depend on the outcome of related litigation. (Adams v. Paul (1995) 11 Cal.4th 583, 593.) However, a stay is not automatic. The moving party must demonstrate that a stay will promote judicial efficiency, avoid inconsistent rulings, or prevent concrete prejudice, and that those benefits outweigh the delay and prejudice to the opposing party. (See St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co. v. AmerisourceBergen Corp. (2022) 80 Cal.App.5th 1, 14; see also Landis v. North American Co. (1936) 299 U.S. 248, 254–255.)

EVIDENTIARY OBJECTIONS

The Court declines to rule on GM’s evidentiary objections. The Court does not consider them material to the Court’s determination of the instant motion.

DISCUSSION

The issue on appeal is whether a manufacturer’s post-filing election not the Song-Beverly Act’s 25CV120910: BRYANT vs GENERAL MOTORS, LLC, et al. 09/02/2026 Hearing on Motion for Stay of Proceedings filed by ANTHONY BRYANT (Plaintiff) CRS# 539786872985 in Department 20 new procedural regime retroactively acts to time-bar a complaint already on file when the new statutes of repose and limitations took effect. Plaintiff contends that any ruling by this Court on the question of retroactivity will be subject to potential revision or reversal upon the Court of Appeal’s resolution of Price.

Plaintiff as the moving party has not established that a stay would promote judicial efficiency, avoid inconsistent rulings, or prevent concrete prejudice, and that the benefits outweigh the delay and prejudice to GM. Staying the action at this juncture would interfere with the administration of this action and undermine the administration of justice. Jury trial is scheduled for April 2, 2027, and Plaintiff provides no timeline regarding briefing or resolution of the matter on appeal. GM establishes that it would be prejudiced by a stay which would likely result in the deterioration or loss of evidence, increased litigation costs, case management burdens, and lost settlement opportunities.

CONCLUSION

Based upon the foregoing, Plaintiff’s motion for stay is DENIED.

If a party does not timely contest the foregoing Tentative Ruling and appear at the hearing, the Tentative Ruling will become the order of the court.

HOW DO I CONTEST A TENTATIVE RULING?

THROUGH ECOURT Notify the Court and all the other parties no later than 4:00 PM one court day before the scheduled hearing, and briefly identify the issues you wish to argue through the following steps: 1. Log into eCourt Public Portal 2. Case Search 3. Enter the Case Number and select "Search" 4. Select the Case Name 5. Select the Tentative Rulings Tab 6. Select "Click to Contest this Ruling" 7. Enter your Name and Reason for Contesting 8. Select "Proceed" BY EMAIL Send an email to the DEPARTMENT CLERK and all the other parties no later than 4:00 PM one court day before the scheduled hearing. This will permit the department clerk to send invitations to counsel to appear remotely.

BOTH ECOURT AND EMAIL notices are required.