Asahi Metal Industry Co. v. Superior Court
United States Supreme Court
480 U.S. 102, 107 S. Ct. 1026, 94 L. Ed. 2D 92 (1987)
- Written by DeAnna Swearingen, LLM
Facts
Gary Zurcher (plaintiff) was driving his motorcycle on a California highway when his tire blew. The resulting collision injured Zurcher and killed his wife, who was riding with him. Zurcher filed a products-liability suit in California against various manufacturers (defendants), including Cheng Shin Rubber Industrial Co., Ltd. (Cheng), a Taiwanese tire-tube manufacturer. Cheng filed a cross-complaint for indemnification against Asahi Metal Industry Co. (Asahi) (defendant), the Japanese manufacturer of the tube’s valve assembly. Zurcher’s claims against Cheng and the other manufacturers settled, leaving only Cheng’s crossclaim against Asahi. Asahi moved to quash the claim, arguing that the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause did not allow the California trial court to exercise personal jurisdiction over Asahi. Asahi manufactured its valves in Japan. The sales to Cheng occurred in Taiwan. Cheng incorporated the valves into its tubes, which it sold worldwide. Approximately 20 percent of Cheng’s United States sales occurred in California. Cheng alleged that Asahi knew Cheng products were sold worldwide, including in California. However, Asahi claimed it never contemplated that its sales in Taiwan would subject it to suit in California. The California Supreme Court held that a California court could exercise personal jurisdiction over Asahi because Asahi placed its valves into the stream of commerce knowing that some valves would end up in California. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (O’Connor, J.)
Concurrence (Stevens, J.)
Concurrence (Brennan, J.)
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