Questions surrounding the safety and effectiveness of the Chevrolet Volt led to the General Motors CEO testifying in front of Congress. He answered several rounds of questions during his testimony. The majority of the hearing was related to a fire that occurred in a Volt during testing over the summer. The same concerns that prompted the hearing may lead to possible business law and business litigation concerns for GM in Detroit and elsewhere.

General Motors has also been accused of receiving special treatment because it is partially owned by the government. When asked whether or not the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Volt a "free ride" when it did not disclose the fire until more than five months later, the executive plainly stated that it was not the case.

Despite the CEO's insistence that the Volt is safe -- he even drove one to the hearing -- controversy over the fire has reportedly hurt sales. Some dealers have even stopped requesting the Volt. GM's CEO, however, declined to comment on current sales numbers. Recently the car manufacturer agreed to add steel to battery packs in Volts that would prevent battery intrusion in certain serious crashes.

Anytime the safety of a product is under speculation for businesses in Detroit and elsewhere, business litigation is possible. Advanced preparation for large corporations like General Motors may be a key factor in successfully defending against accusations or lawsuits. Protecting assets as well as the reputation of your company may benefit from the assistance of a knowledgeable business litigation attorney.

Source: The Detroit News, "GM's Akerson stands firm in Congress' Volt hearings," David Shepardson, Jan. 26, 2012