Final answer:
Generally, endorsers cannot be held strictly liable for defective products; strict liability applies to manufacturers, producers, and sellers. An endorser of a product promotes it but is not involved in its manufacturing or distribution. Therefore, they would not normally be held strictly liable for product defects.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that being an endorser of a product that is defective, rather than a commercial supplier, is not enough for the plaintiff (π) to recover against the endorser for strict liability is generally true. The legal principle of strict liability in product liability cases typically applies to manufacturers, producers, and sellers of a product, not endorsers. This is because endorsers, while they might promote a product, do not have a role in its production, manufacturing process, or distribution. Therefore, they are not usually part of the chain of distribution which is a key element in strict liability claims. Endorsers are more likely to be held liable under different legal theories such as false advertising or misrepresentation if they make false claims about the product.
In the counter example situation involving the automobile manufacturer with two different models, the manufacturer's knowledge of the defect in one model's brake system and the subsequent injuries and deaths due to brake failures, place strict liability squarely on the manufacturer. The responsibility for the product's safety and any defects lies with the supplier or manufacturer because they are integral to the production and distribution process. An endorser, on the other hand, would not be held strictly liable under these circumstances.