Decision on Dismissal of Isuzu Suit Delayed

A bid by the publisher of Consumer Reports to dismiss Isuzu Motor Co.’s defamation suit against the magazine was delayed Monday by a federal judge in Los Angeles who warned attorneys that the law requires him to weigh most aspects of the case in favor of the car maker.

U.S. District Judge Richard A. Paez said he will rule at an unspecified date on Consumers Union’s request for dismissal on grounds Isuzu failed to show actual malice in the review of the 1996 Isuzu Trooper.

Isuzu sued in 1997 after Consumer Reports rated the Trooper “not acceptable” because it was prone to tip over in sharp turns. The company claims the magazine’s rollover test is unreliable.