Bauman

STATEMENT OF FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Appellants are 23 Argentinian citizens and residents1 who allege, inter alia, that they (or their family members) were kidnapped, detained, or tortured by Argentinian state security forces acting at the direction of their former employer, Mer- cedes Benz Argentina (“MBA”). Appellants allege that during the military regime that governed Argentina from 1976 to 1983, MBA officials maintained close ties with high-ranking members of the military, and utilized these forces to rid its plant of individuals MBA itself viewed as subversive.

In 2004, appellants filed a complaint in the District Court for the Northern District of California against DaimlerChrys- ler AG (“DCAG”), MBA’s parent company, requesting relief. In April 2005, DCAG filed a Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Personal Jurisdiction in California.

DCAG is a German stock company with its principal seat in Stuttgart, Germany. Mercedes Benz USA, LLC (“MBUSA”) is a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business in New Jersey. MBUSA is a 1 One appellant is a citizen of Chile, although he also resides in Argen- tina. 12002 BAUMAN v. DAIMLERCHRYSLER…