Category Archives: Video

Beware Of Deceptive Auto Ads

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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is cracking down on automobile dealerships around the country who have been running ads that mislead consumers into thinking the dealership will pay off the remaining loan balance on their existing car when they trade it in. These dealerships then add the cost of the old car loan into the price of the new loan. The buyer ends up with a loan that they must pay off for a longer period of time because they are paying off their old car and new car at the same time. This is known as negative equity auto trade ins. In some cases, dealers force customers to pay off the old loan in cash before they could get their new car.

The dealers named in the FTC’s complaints include:

  • Billion Auto, Inc., in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
  • Frank Myers AutoMaxx, LLC, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
  • Key Hyundai of Manchester, LLC and Hyundai of Milford LLC, in Vernon and Milford, Connecticut
  • Ramey Motors, Inc., in Princeton, West Virginia

Three of the cases allege violations of the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and its implementing Regulation Z for failing to disclose certain credit-related terms, and the complaints in two of the cases allege violations of the Consumer Leasing Act (CLA) and its implementing Regulation M for failing to disclose certain lease related terms.

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Lemon Law Protection For Small Business

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A California Court of Appeal ruling last September may seem like a small victory for one business owner, but the courts decision is setting a precedence that will affect future decisions across the country when it comes to small business automobiles with a gross vehicle weight (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds.

Daniel Joyce, a licensed contractor from Petaluma first started having problems with his Ford F-250 shortly after purchasing it brand-new in 2006. Joyce decided to sue Ford, but the case was overturned saying that the truck was not covered by the lemon law because the GVWR was 10,000 pounds. After a four year battle, court finally issued a ruling siding with Joyce saying that it is the actual weight of the vehicle that counts. This decision is a victory for the consumer and could help other business owners who may be in a similar situation.

Slow Sales Stop Chevy Volt Production

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General Motors Co. has announced that they will stop production of the Chevrolet Volt hybrid vehicle for five weeks to allow their surplus of inventory to be depleted. This will be the third time that production of the Volt has been stopped for at least a month since the car first went on sale in December 2010. The lack of interest in the Chevy volt is being blamed on several factors:

  • A recent NHTSA investigation into battery fires resulting after crash testing.
  • The lack of charging stations in some states.
  • Electric car technology is still relatively new and problems need to be solved before it can be attractive to the mass market, the biggest complaints being lack of range and performance.
  • The production of electric vehicles by other automobile manufacturers.

GM hoped to sell 10,000 Volts last year, but ended up selling just over 7,600. Some feel the promotion of the electric vehicle by the Obama administration has failed. Even as gas prices continue to climb and government incentives are used, it is still not enough to get consumers to buy electric cars. The plant shutdown is expected to lay off almost 1,300 workers, and slow down companies that supply parts and batteries for the Volt.

Honda Airbag Injury Victim Lucky To Be Alive

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A Georgia woman is lucky to be alive after suffering a potentially fatal neck wound from a chunk of metal from an airbag deployment in her 2001 Honda Civic. Kristy Williams wounds are similar to injuries sustained by a teenager in Oklahoma and a mom in Virginia who were not as lucky when their airbags deployed with a deadly force. Medical reports show all three women sustained similar injuries and all women drove 2001 Honda vehicles.

Honda’s first airbag recall came in November 2008, and has been expanded four times to cover 2.5 million vehicles. The recall, however, stops at the 2003 models even though regulators have received 127 complaints about Honda and Acura models over the last 10 model years whose airbag went off with no crash. In Williams case, the surprise deployment was linked to an improper repair after an airbag replacement done to the vehicle before she bought it.

Getting The Best Deal On Your New Car

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For many buying a new vehicle can be a daunting task, and with dealers selling vehicles at record high prices, the average consumer needs to do their research in order to get the best price. With the internet, a little research, and some luck, you should be able to find the vehicle that suits your needs at a price you can afford. Edmunds.com, for example, offers services that give true market values, predicts pricing trends, and offers calculators that let consumers do their research before setting foot on a car lot. Below are some factors that can affect the price of a new vehicle.

  • When Sales Are Slow: Car salesmen are more likely to give deeper discounts to get your business. Rainy days, holiday periods and shopping during the week, are times when a car sales person may be willing to give you an extra discount just to close the deal.
  • End Of The Month: If a sales person is short of their monthly quota to receive their sales bonuses, they may be willing to give customers discounts in order to meet the quota.
  • End Of The Year: As year end quotas approach, and new models start rolling in, dealers and manufacturers may offer discounts, cash rebates, and lower interest incentives just to get the cars off the lot.
  • Redesigned And Discontinued Models: If the manufacturer has completely redesigned one of their models, they are usually willing to offer bigger discounts and incentives to get rid of the outdated models. If the vehicles has been discontinued completely, the savings are usually even better.

NTSB Wants Total Phone Ban For Drivers

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On Tuesday, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) called for a nationwide ban on the use of cell phones and text messaging devices while driving. With over a decade of investigations, the group found that as mobile devices become cheaper and more powerful, the problem of distracted driving has also increased. Right now, 9 states ban the use of hand held phones, and 35 states ban texting while driving, but the NTSB is urging states to go one step further. They have recommended that every state adopt a law that will stop the use of hands free devices as well. According to Deborah Hersman, chairwoman of the NTSB, “Our safety concerns are not just about drivers keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, but it is also about keeping people focused on the act of driving.”

The Alliance for Automobile Manufacturers, agrees that the problem of driving while distracted needs to be addressed, but it also defends integrated systems that allow drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road while sill staying connected. “Consumers have come to expect 24/7 connectivity, changing and enforcing that could be difficult.” The complete ban on phone use by drivers would also impact many car makers who offer integrated hands-free and voice-activated systems.

Get The California Lemon Law Working For You

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Shortly after purchasing a new Hyundai Entourage in 2009, a Tulsa family started to have problems with the mini vans side door opening while they were parked or backing down the driveway. After two years, 12 repair attempts, and over 65 days in the shop, the problem still wasn’t fixed. When the company finally offered to replace the vehicle, the manufacturer no longer carried a vehicle that would work for the family. The company agreed to buy back the van under the state’s lemon laws, but the offer did not include paying off a $22,000 loan on the vehicle. The family went to 2News Problem Solvers, who contacted the manufacturer and eventually got the families money to go buy a vehicle that suited them.

The story eventually had a happy ending, and the TV station got a good story, but under the California lemon law, the problem should have been solved much sooner. Because the requirements of the lemon laws are technical, and different manufacturers may interpret their obligations differently, it is important that you contact a qualified California lemon law firm to protect your rights.

The law offices of Delsack & Associates have over 23 years of California law experience. The legal services provided by the Law Offices of Delsack & Associates are FREE in most lemon law cases. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by making only one toll free call to our offices at 888-395-3666 or completing and submitting our Lemon Law questionnaires. Find out if you qualify under California’s lemon law and Get Rid Of Your Lemon Vehicle Today!

Chevy Volt Investigated For Fire

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into General Motors electric hybrid vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt. The investigation comes after a battery fire consumed three vehicles at their test facility, two weeks after performing side impact and rollover tests. Follow-up tests to simulate the incident resulted in two out of three vehicles resulting in a thermal reaction within the battery. According to the NHTSA there have been no reports of real world crashes resulting in fire.

GM has assured customers the the Chevy Volt’s fire risk after an accident is lower than any standard gas engine vehicles. The company said that the vehicles OnStar safety system notifies the company of any crashes involving a Chevy Volt and a team is dispatched within 48 hours to drain the battery. GM has offered to buy back vehicles or offer loaner cars at the customers request. If the investigation should lead to a recall, over 6,000 Volts could be affected.