For years it was Ralph Nader against General Motors, who went so far as to hire private detectives to discredit him. They sent a prostitute to try to seduce him at a food counter at Safeway's but he turned her away. So the gumshoes tried to prove he was homosexual but were caught as they tried to follow him into Congress. The scandal made Mr Nader into a hero overnight. The car makers were forced to introduce seat belts, and ultimately air bags.
This was almost 20 years ago now:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/oct/22/uselections2004.usa
I do remember Ralph Nader, but in the incident you brought up. Thanks for the article..