Federal Court Rejects Lawsuit Against Nissan

A seat cover maker’s unfair-practices suit against Nissan Motor Co. was dismissed by a federal court this week in a decision that permits the carmaker to continue advising its dealers to use only factory-installed leather upholstery.

The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles by Montebello-based Katzkin Leather Inc., a major maker of aftermarket leather seat covers.

The company had objected to warnings by Nissan’s Gardena-based North American unit to dealers that they could face increased liability if they installed Katzkin upholstery and disabled seat-mounted air bag sensors.