DETROIT — General Motors on Monday opposed Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ motion to dismiss its racketeering lawsuit, disputing FCA’s claims that GM failed to allege that it was a direct victim and that it filed the suit outside of the statute of limitations.
In a wide-ranging November lawsuit, GM claimed that FCA received an unfair advantage in labor costs by bribing UAW officials during years of contract negotiations that cover workers’ wages and benefits. The suit also alleges that Sergio Marchionne, the late FCA CEO, wanted to weaken GM in an effort to force a merger between the two automakers.
Monday’s filing is the latest in what promises to be a long, drawn-out case in federal court between the rival Detroit automakers. FCA has promised a vigorous defense.
When GM formally rejected the merger proposal in 2015, Marchionne was the orchestrator in developing a collective bargaining agreement that was designed to cost GM billions, the suit says.
In January, FCA filed a motion to…
