Illini State Trucking, Inc. a/k/a IST Holdings, LLC, and RLB International, LLC. v. Navistar, Inc. (mem. dec.)

• Court: Indiana Court of Appeals
• Decided: June 2, 2017
• Docket: 45A03-1608-PL-1860
• Status: Published

Opinion

MEMORANDUM DECISION Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this Memorandum Decision shall not be regarded as precedent or cited before FILED any court except for the purpose of Jun 02 2017, 8:46 am

establishing the defense of res judicata, CLERK collateral estoppel, or the law of the Indiana Supreme Court Court of Appeals and Tax Court case.

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANTS ATTORNEYS FOR Beth L. Brown APPELLEES/CROSS APPELLANTS Kelly Law Offices NAVISTAR, INC. AND RUSH Crown Point, Indiana TRUCK CENTERS OF INDIANA, INC. Lawrence R. Lassiter Miller Weisbrod, LLP Timothy V. Hoffman Dallas, Texas Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman LLP Chicago, Illinois

Clayton J. Callen Jeffrey S. Patterson Harline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP Dallas, Texas

ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEES/CROSS APPELLANTS CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL TRUCKS, LLC and CIT, INC.

Daniel J. Offenbach Leahy, Eisenberg & Fraenkel, Ltd. Chicago, Illinois

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1608-PL-1860 | June 2, 2017 Page 1 of 20 Illini State Trucking, Inc. a/k/a June 2, 2017 IST Holdings, LLC, and RLB Court of Appeals Case No. International, LLC, 45A03-1608-PL-1860 Appellants-Plaintiffs/Cross Appellees, Appeal from the Lake County Superior Court v. The Honorable Calvin D. Hawkins, Judge Navistar, Inc., Rush Truck Trial Court Cause No. Centers of Indiana, Inc. f/k/a 45D02-1505-PL-39 Chicago International Trucks, LLC, Chicago International Trucks, LLC, and CIT, Inc. d/b/a Chicago International Trucks, Appellees-Defendants/Cross Appellants

Vaidik, Chief Judge.

Case Summary [1] Illini State Trucking, Inc. and RLB International, LLC (collectively, “Illini”)

appeal the trial court’s dismissal of their claims of fraud and fraudulent

concealment against Navistar, Inc. (Navistar), Chicago International Trucks,

LLC and CIT, Inc. (collectively, “Chicago International”), and Rush Truck

Centers of Indiana, Inc. (Rush). Navistar and Chicago International cross-

appeal the trial court’s denial of their motions to dismiss Illini’s claims of

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1608-PL-1860 | June 2, 2017 Page 2 of 20 breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty, and breach of contract.

We affirm the decision of the trial court in all respects.1

Facts and Procedural History [2] These appeals arise from the trial court’s order on motions to dismiss Illini’s

Third Amended Complaint (Complaint) against Navistar, Chicago

International, and Rush. Illini is a trucking company, Navistar is a truck

manufacturer, and Chicago International and Rush are truck sellers and

servicers. The factual allegations in the Complaint, which we must accept as

true for purposes of the defendants’ motions to dismiss, can be summarized as

follows.

[3] Navistar set out to develop engines that would comply with the EPA’s 2010

emission standards in a unique way. According to Illini, “other” manufacturers

use a combination of “SCR” (selective catalytic reduction), which entails

injecting a urea-based compound into exhaust gas after it leaves the engine, and

“EGR” (exhaust gas recirculation), in which exhaust gas is recirculated into the

engine to be re-combusted. Appellants’ App. Vol. IV pp. 6-7 (¶¶ 27-31).

Navistar, however, sought to become the only North American manufacturer to

use an EGR-only system, which it claimed would achieve better “fluid

economy” by eliminating the need for the urea-based after-treatment. Id. at 7

1 We held oral argument in this matter on May 18, 2017. We thank counsel for their presentations.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1608-PL-1860 | June 2, 2017 Page 3 of 20 (¶¶ 32-33). Illini alleges that Navistar’s EGR-only system not only failed to

comply with EPA emission standards but also left the engines prone to

breakdowns because of the amount of exhaust gas being recirculated. Illini

contends that Navistar was aware of these facts but nonetheless proceeded to

put the trucks on the market through its network of dealers, including Chicago

International and Rush.

[4] Between March 2011 and June 2012, Illini purchased nineteen International

ProStar on-highway semi-trucks with EGR-only MaxxForce engines, made by

Navistar, at Chicago International dealerships in Indiana and Illinois. The

trucks quickly began breaking down, forcing Illini to take them in for servicing

by Chicago International and Rush. Illini claims that Navistar, Chicago

International, and Rush concealed the defects and sometimes actively

misrepresented the condition of the trucks, both when marketing and selling the

trucks and when servicing them after breakdowns (Illini’s claims against Rush

are limited to the post-purchase servicing).

[5] Illini’s Complaint asserts claims of breach of express warranty (against

Navistar), breach of implied warranty (against Chicago International), breach

of contract (against both Navistar and Chicago International), fraud (against all

defendants), and fraudulent concealment (against all defendants). The

defendants filed motions to dismiss all the claims pursuant to Indiana Trial

Rule 12(B)(6) (and also Rule 9(B) with regard to the fraud-based claims). After

a short hearing, the trial court issued a one-page order granting the motions in

part and denying them in part, dismissing the fraud-based claims but allowing

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1608-PL-1860 | June 2, 2017 Page 4 of 20 the breach-of-warranty and breach-of-contract claims to proceed. Illini sought

and received permission to file an interlocutory appeal of the dismissal of its

fraud-based claims, and Navistar and Chicago International have cross-

appealed the denial of their motions as to the remaining claims.

[6] We will address Illini’s appeal before turning to the cross-appeals. We review

motions to dismiss de novo, accepting as true the facts alleged in the complaint,

considering the complaint in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, and

drawing every reasonable inference in favor of the plaintiff. Veolia Water

Indianapolis, LLC v. Nat’l Tr. Ins. Co., 3 N.E.3d 1, 4-5 (Ind. 2014), aff’d on reh’g,

12 N.E.3d 240 (Ind. 2014).

Illini’s Appeal [7] Illini appeals the dismissal of its claims of fraud and fraudulent concealment,

both of which it asserted against all three defendants. The Indiana Rules of

Trial Procedure set out the requirements for pleading in this state. Generally, a

complaint must provide only “a short and plain statement of the claim[.]” Ind.

Trial Rule 8(A)(1). Fraud claims, however, must be pled with greater

particularity. Trial Rule 9(B) provides that “[i]n all averments of fraud . . ., the

circumstances constituting fraud . . . shall be specifically averred.” The

purposes of this specificity requirement include “providing adequate notice to

the alleged perpetrator and preventing potentially damaging accusations

without some concrete description of what is being alleged.” Cont’l Basketball

Ass’n, Inc. v. Ellenstein Enters., Inc., 669 N.E.2d 134, 138 (Ind. 1996). To serve

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1608-PL-1860 | June 2, 2017 Page 5 of 20 these purposes, the plaintiff must allege with particularity what the

representations were, who made them, and when or where they were made.

McKinney v. State, 693 N.E.2d 65, 73 (Ind. 1998); see also Dutton v. Int’l Harvester

Co., 504 N.E.2d 313, 318 (Ind. Ct. App. 1987) (“The circumstances constituting

fraud include the time, the place, the substance of the false representations, the

facts misrepresented, and the identification of what was procured by fraud.”),

reh’g denied, trans. denied.

I. Fraud [8] The elements of a fraud claim are (1) a material misrepresentation of past or

existing fact which (2) was untrue, (3) was made with knowledge of or in

reckless ignorance of its falsity, (4) was made with the intent to deceive, (5) was

rightfully relied upon by the complaining party, and (6) which proximately

caused the injury or damage complained of. Kesling v. Hubler Nissan, Inc., 997

N.E.2d 327, 335 (Ind. 2013).

A. Navistar [9] Illini maintains that it has made several viable allegations of fraud against

Navistar. We disagree.

[10] First, Illini characterizes its Complaint as including an allegation that, during a

November 2009 event at a Navistar test track in Ohio, several Navistar

representatives (named in the Complaint) “specifically stated that with the

MaxxForce Trucks and engines, there would be better fuel economy, and

Navistar had ‘solved the problem’ of urea.” Appellants’ Br. pp. 28-29 (quoting

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1608-PL-1860 | June 2, 2017 Page 6 of 20 Appellants’ App. Vol. IV pp. 20-21 (¶ 100)). But that is not what the Complaint

says. While it alleges that the representations were made, and that there was a

November 2009 event, it does not allege that the representations were made

during the November 2009 event. Rather, the Complaint states that the

representations were made during the “time period of 2009-2010.” Appellants’

App. Vol. IV pp. 20-21 (¶ 100). Illini makes no argument that alleging that a

misrepresentation was made at some point during a two-year period is sufficient

to satisfy the heightened pleading standard for fraud.

[11] Similarly, Illini maintains that it has alleged that “[i]n 2009 and 2010 (every few

months during this time period), Navistar held dealer events” in Chicago and

that at those events “the above-named Navistar representatives made

misrepresentations regarding the MaxxForce Trucks and their engines,

including misrepresentations regarding fuel economy and the EGR-Only

system.” Appellants’ Br. p. 29 (citing Appellants’ App. Vol. IV pp. 20-21)). But

again, that is not what the Complaint says. Illini does not actually allege that

the named Navistar representatives were at the Chicago events; it alleges only

that they were at the Ohio test-track event in November 2009 or at “meetings

which occurred on a similar timeframe.” Appellants’ App. Vol. IV p. 20 (¶

100). Nor has Illini actually claimed that any misrepresentations were made at

the Chicago events; it alleges only that misrepresentations were made “[d]uring

this time period of 2009-2010,” generally. Id. at 21 (¶ 100). Most importantly,

Illini does not identify in its Complaint when specific Chicago events were held,

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1608-PL-1860 | June 2, 2017 Page 7 of 20 what representations were made at particular events, or who made

representations at particular events.

[12] Illini’s also asserts that its Complaint includes a claim that Navistar made

“multiple misrepresentations” in “various trade publications” during “2009 and

2010.” Appellants’ Br. pp. 29-30. It cites pages 20-21 of its Complaint

(Appellants’ App. Vol. IV pp. 21-22), which include numerous alleged

misrepresentations, but nowhere on those pages does Illini identify specific

publications or specific publication dates.

[13] The trial court did not err in dismissing Illini’s fraud claim against Navistar.

B. Chicago International [14] Regarding Chicago International, Illini tells us that its Complaint alleges that

“its representatives attended an event in November of 2009 at a Navistar test

track in Ohio” and that “[a]t that event, Bob Stokes from Chicago

International/CIT ‘specifically stated that with the MaxxForce Trucks and

engines, there would be better fuel economy, and Navistar had ‘solved the

problem’ of urea.’” Appellants’ Br. pp. 33-34 (quoting Appellants’ App. Vol. IV

pp. 20-21 (¶ 100)). But while Illini’s Complaint makes reference to the

November 2009 event, see Appellants’ App. Vol. IV p. 20 (¶ 100), it does not

actually claim that Stokes made the alleged misrepresentations during that

event; rather, Illini claims more generally that Stokes made the

misrepresentations at some point during the “time period of 2009-2010,” id. at

21 (¶ 100). Again, Illini does not argue that alleging that fraud was committed

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1608-PL-1860 | June 2, 2017 Page 8 of 20 at some point during a two-year period is sufficient to survive a motion to

dismiss.2 Illini has not convinced us that the trial court erred by dismissing its

fraud claim against Chicago International.

C. Rush [15] Illini contends that the alleged misrepresentations by Rush “are laid out in

detail in the Third Amended Complaint,” Appellants’ Br. p. 35, but it does not

identify any specific misrepresentations. Instead, it directs us to pages 8, 21,

and 22 of the Complaint (Appellants’ App. Vol. IV pp. 9, 22, 23). On those

pages, however, Illini only generally alleges that Rush “relayed much of the

above-described representations directly to Plaintiffs” and “did, in fact, make

the Misrepresentations to Plaintiffs regarding the trucks.” Appellants’ App.

Vol. IV pp. 9 (¶ 45), 23 (¶ 105). Illini does not specify the representations Rush

allegedly made, who allegedly made them, how they were made, or when they

were made. Given this lack of specificity, the trial court did not err by

dismissing Illini’s fraud claim against Rush.3

2 Illini also argues that it has identified “other specific misrepresentations made to [it] by Stokes, including representations regarding fuel economy,” Appellants’ Reply Br. p. 33, but it does not direct us to any particular allegations in the Complaint. 3 Illini asserts that “[i]t is also not necessary for allegations against Rush to be pled separately,” Appellants’ Br. p. 36, but it does not tell us what it means by this.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1608-PL-1860 | June 2, 2017 Page 9 of 20 II. Fraudulent Concealment [16] As a corollary to its claim that the defendants made certain false representations

about the condition of the trucks, Illini alleges that the defendants had a duty to

disclose the actual facts and that they failed to do so.

A. Navistar [17] Illini identifies a number of facts that Navistar allegedly knew but failed to

disclose: (1) the trucks would never meet the EPA’s 2010 emission standards,

(2) the trucks “had severe technical problems that would lead to engine

performance and quality issues, including heat, soot, and condensation issues,”

and (3) “its engine testing had been inadequate and truncated, late in starting,

causing late design changes, immature designs and increased warrant risk.” Id.

at 25 (¶¶ 113-115). Illini relies on our Supreme Court’s holding that “when a

buyer makes inquiries about the condition, qualities, or characteristics of

property, the seller must fully declare any and all problems associated with the

subject of the inquiry.” Kesling, 997 N.E.2d at 335. The problem is that Illini

does not direct us to any specific allegation in the Complaint that it made any

“inquiries” of Navistar, let alone describe the subject matter of any such

inquiries. As such, Illini’s reliance on Kesling is misplaced, and we cannot say

that the trial court erred by dismissing its fraudulent-concealment claim against

Navistar.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1608-PL-1860 | June 2, 2017 Page 10 of 20 B. Chicago International [18] Illini contends that its fraudulent-concealment claim against Chicago

International should be allowed to proceed because it has alleged that Chicago

International “deliberately withheld the information about the Known Defects

associated with the MaxxForce ProStars when [it] had a duty to disclose the

information to Plaintiffs.” Appellants’ App. Vol. IV p. 26 (¶ 118). But Illini has

failed to specifically identify what “information” Chicago International

allegedly possessed and failed to disclose. The Complaint defines “Known

Defects” as “inherent performance and reliability problems,” id. at 24 (¶ 112),

but at no point in the fraudulent-concealment portion of the Complaint does

Illini allege with particularity the “problems” of which Chicago International

was allegedly aware, see id. at 24-27 (¶¶ 111-122). The trial court did not err by

dismissing Illini’s fraudulent-concealment claim against Chicago International.

C. Rush [19] Illini’s fraudulent-concealment claim against Rush suffers from the same flaw as

its claim against Chicago International. As with Chicago International, Illini

relies on its allegation that the defendants “deliberately withheld the

information about the Known Defects associated with the MaxxForce

ProStars[.]” Id. at 26 (¶ 118). But, again, the Complaint defines “Known

Defects” very generally as “inherent performance and reliability problems,” id.

at 24 (¶ 112), and nowhere in the fraudulent-concealment portion of the

Complaint does Illini specifically identify the “problems” of which Rush was

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1608-PL-1860 | June 2, 2017 Page 11 of 20 allegedly aware. Id. at 24-27 (¶¶ 111-122). Illini has failed to show that the trial

court erred by dismissing its fraudulent-concealment claim against Rush.

Navistar’s Cross-Appeal [20] Navistar cross-appeals the trial court’s denial of its motion to dismiss the other

claims against it: breach of express warranty and breach of contract.

I. Breach of Express Warranty [21] In its breach-of-express-warranty claim against Navistar, Illini alleges that

Navistar represented that the trucks “were of a particular quality when, in fact,

they were not.” Id. at 14 (¶ 73). Illini claims that Navistar “made the above

described representations through its agent, Chicago International[.]” Id. at 15

(¶ 76). In addition, Illini alleges that Navistar “expressly assured” it that the

trucks were “free from defects” and “suitable to perform the duties for which

they were manufactured and sold.” Id. (¶ 77). Illini also claims that it was

“expressly assured” that Navistar “had an extensive network of service centers

that would promptly provide parts and trained technicians needed to fix any

problems” experienced by Illini, that it “repeatedly notified” Navistar of

defects, and that Navistar “failed and/or refused to make repairs sufficient to

correct the defects.” Id. (¶¶ 78, 80).

[22] Navistar offers two arguments for dismissal of this claim. First, Navistar notes

Illini’s allegation that Navistar made the purported representations “through its

agent, Chicago International” and argues that Illini has failed to plead facts that

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1608-PL-1860 | June 2, 2017 Page 12 of 20 would support a finding of agency. We disagree. Illini does not contend that

Chicago International had “actual authority” to act on Navistar’s behalf, but

“apparent authority” can be established by some communication, direct or

indirect, by the principal (here, Navistar) to a third party (here, Illini) that

instills a reasonable belief in the mind of the third party that the agent (here,

Chicago International) is authorized to act on the principal’s behalf. See

Pepkowski v. Life of Ind. Ins. Co., 535 N.E.2d 1164, 1166-67 (Ind. 1989). Here,

Illini has alleged that Navistar “regularly provided authorized dealers with

International and MaxxForce branded literature, signage, and training

materials for use in promoting, selling and financing the purchase of their

Trucks to customers.” Appellants’ App. Vol. IV p. 4 (¶ 13). This allegation,

while generally stated, is sufficient as a matter of notice pleading to survive a

motion to dismiss.4

[23] In the alternative, Navistar argues that the trial court should have dismissed

Illini’s claim because Illini failed to attach the alleged “free from defects”

warranty to its Complaint. As Illini explained in the Complaint, it has “not yet

been able to locate” what it believes to be “the actual contract (or express

warranty),” and it attached “an example of a typical warranty contract for

similar Navistar products.” Id. at 14 (¶ 73). Illini says that it has “requested

4 Navistar cites two Indiana cases in which signage and literature were found to be insufficient to establish apparent authority, but neither of those cases was decided on a motion to dismiss. See Drake v. Maid-Rite Co., 681 N.E.2d 734, 738 (Ind. Ct. App. 1997) (summary judgment), reh’g denied; Leon v. Caterpillar Indus., Inc., 69 F.3d 1326, 1333-37 (7th Cir. 1995) (directed verdict).

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1608-PL-1860 | June 2, 2017 Page 13 of 20 copies of these documents from defendants in discovery and if [it] obtains the

actual documents, [it] will promptly provide as attachment [sic] to the

Complaint at that time.” Id.

[24] Navistar directs us to Indiana Trial Rule 9.2(A), which provides, in part,

“When any pleading allowed by these rules is founded on a written instrument,

the original, or a copy thereof, must be included in or filed with the pleading.”

Navistar contends that failure to comply with Rule 9.2(A) “means dismissal of

the warranty claim is proper.” Navistar/Rush Reply Br. p. 5. However,

Navistar fails to mention subsection (F) of the rule, which grants our trial courts

discretion in addressing noncompliance with Rule 9.2(A). Rule 9.2(F)

provides, in part:

Non-compliance with the provisions of this rule requiring a written instrument or an Affidavit of Debt to be included with the pleading may be raised by the first responsive pleading or prior motion of a party. The court, in its sound discretion, may order compliance, the reasons for non-compliance to be added to the pleadings, or allow the action to continue without further pleading.

(Emphasis added). We have explained that Rule 9.2(F) “affords the trial court

broad discretion in ordering compliance or permitting an action to proceed

without amendment of the pleadings.” Brenneman Mech. & Elec., Inc. v. First

Nat’l Bank of Logansport, 495 N.E.2d 233, 241 (Ind. Ct. App. 1986) (emphasis

added), reh’g denied, trans. denied; see also Brown v. Guinn, 970 N.E.2d 192, 195

(Ind. Ct. App. 2012) (“[I]t is well established that non-compliance with Rule

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1608-PL-1860 | June 2, 2017 Page 14 of 20 9.2(A) is not a per se bar to the action.”). In short, the fact that Illini did not

attach a “free from defects” warranty to its Complaint is not fatal to its breach-

of-express-warranty claim.

[25] In any event, even if we were to conclude that Illini’s claim about a “free from

defects” warranty is deficient, Illini also claims that Navistar breached one or

more “repair” warranties by either failing to make necessary repairs or by

failing to do so in a reasonable time. Appellants’ Reply Br. pp. 27-28. Illini

argues that this allegation, alone, is sufficient to avoid dismissal of the breach-

of-express-warranty claim. Navistar offers no response to this argument, and

we will not develop one for it.

[26] The trial court did not err by declining to dismiss this claim.

II. Breach of Contract [27] Navistar also challenges the trial court’s denial of its motion to dismiss Illini’s

breach-of-contract claim. In that claim, Illini alleges that Chicago International

and Navistar “entered into a valid, enforceable contract” with Illini to provide

trucks “free from defects” and then failed to do so. Appellants’ App. Vol. IV

pp. 18-19 (¶¶ 92-96). Illini does not assert that it contracted with Navistar

directly but alleges that Chicago International was acting as an “agent” of

Navistar when it sold the trucks to Illini. Id. at 18 (¶ 93).

[28] Navistar first argues that Illini has failed to allege facts that would support a

finding of agency. We rejected this argument above, in relation to Illini’s

breach-of-express-warranty claim against Navistar, and we do so again here. Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1608-PL-1860 | June 2, 2017 Page 15 of 20 [29] Also as with Illini’s breach-of-express-warranty claim, Navistar asserts that

Illini’s breach-of-contract claim must fail because Illini did not attach the

alleged contract to its Complaint, as required by Indiana Trial Rule 9.2(A). In

the Complaint, Illini admits that it does “not have full copies of the Agreements

in [its] possession” but notes that it has attached as Exhibit B “the portions of

the Agreements” in its possession, that it has “requested full copies of the

Agreements from Defendants,” that it believes that “once discovery is

completed Defendants will produce full copies of these Agreements,” and that it

will “promptly attach the full Agreements to the Complaint at that time.” Id. at

19 (¶ 94). Navistar takes issue with this promise of future compliance with Rule

9.2(A), but again, Rule 9.2(F) grants our trial courts discretion to allow a case

to proceed even when there is noncompliance with Rule 9.2(A), see Brenneman

Mech. & Elec., Inc., 495 N.E.2d at 241, and the trial court apparently chose to

exercise that discretion here.5

[30] The trial court did not err by denying Navistar’s motion to dismiss Illini’s

breach-of-contract claim.

5 Navistar makes no argument that the trial court abused its discretion in this regard.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1608-PL-1860 | June 2, 2017 Page 16 of 20 Chicago International’s Cross-Appeal [31] Chicago International cross-appeals the trial court’s denial of its motion to

dismiss the other claims against it: breach of implied warranty and breach of

contract.

I. Breach of Implied Warranty [32] In its breach-of-implied-warranty claim against Chicago International, Illini

alleges that Chicago International represented that the trucks “were of a

particular quality when, in fact, they were not.” Appellants’ App. Vol. IV p. 16

(¶ 82). Illini first claims that “Navistar, through its agent, Chicago

International, made the above described representations,” id. (¶ 84), and then

adds that Chicago International “impliedly assured” Illini that the trucks were

“free from defects,” “suitable to perform the duties for which they were

manufactured,” and “merchantable,” id. (¶¶ 85-86). Illini also claims that it

ultimately discovered that the trucks had “significant problems” (listed in the

Complaint), that it “repeatedly notified” Chicago International of the defects,

and that Chicago International “failed and/or refused to make repairs sufficient

to correct the defects.” Id. at 16-17 (¶¶ 87, 89).

[33] Chicago International first argues that it cannot be liable on this claim “because

it is alleged to have acted solely as Navistar’s authorized agent.” Chicago

International Br. p. 23. It cites the decision of the U.S. District Court for the

Northern District of Indiana in LDT Keller Farms, LLC v. Brigitte Holmes Livestock

Co., 722 F. Supp. 2d 1015, 1026 (N.D. Ind. 2010), for the proposition that

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1608-PL-1860 | June 2, 2017 Page 17 of 20 absent an agreement to the contrary, an agent of a disclosed principal cannot be

held liable for the principal’s breach of warranty.

[34] Illini does not dispute this point of law, nor does it dispute that it has alleged

that Chicago International acted as Navistar’s agent. However, it argues that it

has also alleged that Chicago International gave warranties on its own behalf,

not only on behalf of Navistar as Navistar’s agent. Illini cites its allegations that

Chicago International “impliedly assured” Illini that the trucks were “free from

defects,” “suitable to perform the duties for which they were manufactured,”

and “merchantable.” Appellants’ App. Vol. IV p. 16 (¶¶ 85-86). This is

sufficient to survive Chicago International’s motion to dismiss. Our trial rules

specifically allow “pleading in the alternative.” Ind. Trial Rule 8(E)(2); Cent.

Ind. Podiatry, P.C. v. Krueger, 882 N.E.2d 723, 733 (Ind. 2008).

[35] Chicago International also contends that dismissal is appropriate because it

“effectively disclaimed any and all implied warranties.” Chicago International

Br. p. 24. It directs us to a “Buyers Order” form that was attached as Exhibit B

to its motion to dismiss, which it says was provided to Illini when it ordered

each of the trucks. Chicago International’s App. Vol. II pp. 48-49. The second

page of the document is captioned “LIMITED WARRANTY, WARRANTY

DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF SELLER’S LIABILITY” and

includes what appears to be a fairly comprehensive warranty disclaimer. Id. at

49. As Illini notes, however, this document is not part of the Complaint.

Therefore, it cannot be considered for purposes of a motion to dismiss. See

Murphy Breeding Lab., Inc. v. W. Cent. Conservancy Dist., 828 N.E.2d 923, 926

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1608-PL-1860 | June 2, 2017 Page 18 of 20 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005) (“Murphy correctly asserts that because a motion to

dismiss tests the legal sufficiency of the complaint, the trial court was foreclosed

from considering matters outside the pleadings.”).6

[36] The trial court properly denied Chicago International’s motion to dismiss

Illini’s breach-of-implied-warranty claim.

II. Breach of Contract [37] Chicago International also joins Navistar in arguing that the trial court should

have dismissed Illini’s breach-of-contract claim. Its first argument is the same

as one made by Navistar: that dismissal is appropriate because Illini failed to

attach the alleged contract(s) to its Complaint, as required by Trial Rule 9.2(A).

In light of the discretion afforded to our trial courts by Trial Rule 9.2(F), we

rejected that contention above and do so again here.

[38] In the alternative, Chicago International contends that the breach-of-contract

claim against it cannot stand because Illini specifically alleged that Chicago

International was acting as Navistar’s agent when it entered into the contract(s).

We have held that an agent generally is not personally bound by a contract

where the agent “discloses the identity of his principal and does not exceed his

authority when contracting on the principal’s behalf.” Carlson Wagonlit Travel,

6 When matters outside the pleadings are presented to and not excluded by the court, a motion to dismiss is treated as one for summary judgment. Murphy Breeding Lab., Inc., 828 N.E.2d at 926. Chicago International does not argue that this is what happened in this case.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1608-PL-1860 | June 2, 2017 Page 19 of 20 Inc. v. Moss, 788 N.E.2d 501, 503 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003). However, Illini’s

Complaint can also be read, under our liberal rules of notice pleading, to state a

breach-of-contract claim against Chicago International directly. Illini alleges

that both Chicago International and Navistar “failed to provide Trucks free

from defects in accordance with the terms of the agreement.” Appellants’ App.

Vol. IV p. 18 (¶ 92). It also claims that “[t]he aforementioned contract

obligated . . . Defendants to provide the Trucks free from defects.” Id. (¶ 94)

(emphasis added). Finally, Illini alleges that “Defendants breached the

Agreement by failing to provide Trucks that were free from defects in

accordance with the terms of the Agreement.” Id. (¶ 96) (emphasis added).

Again, while Illini’s assertion that Chicago International was not acting as

Navistar’s agent is directly at odds with its assertion, discussed earlier, that

Chicago International was contracting on behalf of Navistar, our trial rules

specifically allow for this sort of “pleading in the alternative.” T.R. 8(E)(2);

Cent. Ind. Podiatry, P.C., 882 N.E.2d at 733.

[39] The trial court did not err by denying Chicago International’s motion to dismiss

Illini’s breach-of-contract claim.

[40] Affirmed.

Robb, J., and Sharpnack, S.J., concur.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1608-PL-1860 | June 2, 2017 Page 20 of 20