Final answer:
The lawsuit against McDonald's for the hot coffee spill was based on product liability due to negligence in serving excessively hot coffee, similar to a manufacturer being liable for known defects in automobile brakes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lawsuit mentioned is based on product liability, specifically, the allegation that McDonald's was negligent by serving coffee that was excessively hot and therefore more likely to cause injury if spilled. This is analogous to a counter example situation where an automobile manufacturer knowingly sells a model with a defect in the brake system.
In both cases, the companies can be held liable for injuries that occur due to their prior knowledge of potential harm caused by their products. In the case of McDonald's, the argument was that the coffee was served at a temperature that was unreasonably dangerous and could cause severe burns.