According to a consumer complaint survey report, the category most complained about by consumers in 2010 was the auto industry. The survey, carried out collectively by the Consumer Federation of America, the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators, and the North American Consumer Protection Investigators, looked at over half a million complaints in different states around the country. For a second year in a row, they found that automobile related problems topped the list. Some of the most complained about categories included misrepresentations in advertising or sales of new and used cars, lemon vehicles, faulty repairs, leasing and towing disputes.
Tag Archives: Automobile industry in California
Fuel Efficiency Standards Still Being Negotiated
In May of 2009, California, the White House and auto manufacturers worked together to reached a deal for fuel efficiency standards from 2012-2016. The final agreement will see vehicles with a 34.1 mpg fuel efficiency… an agreement that is estimated to cost the auto industry over $50 billion to develop the technology to reach this goal. The 2017-2025 fuel efficiency standards proposed have been much more aggressive, and has automakers showing much more resistance. Automakers have warned that obtaining the proposed 56.2 mpg could have consumers paying over $2,000 more per vehicle. In response to this the White house has eased their fuel savings proposal to 54.5 mpg in an attempt to convince automakers to sign on. According to VW of America President and CEO Jonathan Browning, the talks have been constructive. “Everyone is focused on making sure that the final agreement is both fair to the auto industry and is still affordable to consumers.”
The administration has also been in talks on credits for automakers to meet the requirements through air conditioning improvements and building flex-fuel vehicles. NHTSA Administrator David Strickland told officials that the government was committed to treating all automakers fairly. The new plan will not only make the fuel efficiency more obtainable, but will offer special rules for heavier light duty vehicles used for construction.
Seven Steps To A Good Lemon Law Defense
If you think you own a lemon these are the 7 most important defenses to create a good lemon law case to help to get your car repurchased.
- Bring your car in early. At the first sign of a manufacturing problem get a repair order from an authorized dealer. If the manufacturer buys your car back, the lower the mileage of the first repair, the lower will be the use fee deduction, and the greater the amount you may get back.
- Always get a copy of the work order when you leave the vehicle; and always get a copy of the actual completed repair order when picking up the vehicle. Be sure the work order accurately shows your complaints. If the problem recurs, even if only 5 minutes later, get a new and separate repair order. Do not let the dealer add on to the earlier one. If possible, have the technician write on the repair order that they verified your complaint.
- Be consistent in your complaints. The California lemon law states that the manufacturer must be allowed a reasonable number of repair attempts to fix the same problem. So be sure that the way your complaint is written on the repair order shows that you are describing the same problem.
- Check the technical service bulletins or TSBs. These are issued by manufacturers for common defects for your specific year and model. Usually the dealer will not tell you about TSBs, unless you ask. Even if they tell you none exist, make sure that your request is written on the repair order. Check our website at calemonlaw.com to see the current technical service bulletins for your car.
- Watch out for bad advice. Dealer service personnel are not lawyers. They may give you bad advice about the California lemon law which may affect your decision about how to handle your problem. If you have a question call us. Don’t be swayed by remarks that you are the cause of your car’s problems, like you don’t know how to use the brakes, or the NAV system, or it’s because you live on a hill, or you are using bad gas. These are just excuses for a problem the dealer doesn’t know how to fix.
- Watch out for arbitration. Some manufacturers suggest that you have to go through arbitration before you can use the California lemon law. That is not true! In fact, it can be very dangerous because the ruling of an arbitrator has the same effect as if it were a decision made in a court of law. And if the ruling is against you, it could then become considerably more difficult to later win your case.
- The final step is to call our offices for a free consultation as soon as you think you have a lemon. And in most cases we will not charge you any fees for handling your lemon law case. So call us today at 888 ex lemon or 888-395-3666 or complete the short submittal form on our website calemonlaw.com.
Life is too short to live with a lemon, especially if we may get rid of it for you and get you your money back. We look forward to hearing from you.
- California Lemon Law in Los Angeles: 310-475-1700
- California Lemon Law in San Francisco: 415-285-5366
- California Lemon Law in Fresno: 559-382-0359
- California Lemon Law in Long Beach: 562-282-9909
- California Lemon Law in Oakland: 510-545-9083
- California Lemon Law in Orange County: 949-856-4333
- California Lemon Law in Palm Springs: 760-395-1000
- California Lemon Law in San Diego: 619-229-6900
- California Lemon Law in San Fernando Valley: 818-837-0500
- California Lemon Law in San Jose: 408-681-8033
Californians Turn To Domestic Cars
Historically, imported vehicles have dominated the market in California, but a recent trend is seeing more and more consumers turn to domestic auto makers when replacing their old vehicles. Companies like Ford, Chrysler and GM have improved their sales in the state last year with the introduction of new models of small cars and compact SUV’s. The improved reliability, fuel economy, advanced electronics and added luxury options are starting to give domestic brands an advantage over once popular rivals like Honda and Toyota. Some of the more popular vehicles being sold in California are GM’s Chevrolet Volt , Cruze and Camaro, and Ford’s Fiesta, Focus and Fusion. The growth in California is important to local car dealers who have experienced sluggish auto sales for almost three years now. Some analysts, however, question whether traditional buyers of Japanese cars are switching to domestic brands, or just waiting for depleted inventories to be replenished.
Toyota To Offer Family Sized Prius
According to Ed LaRocque, Toyota’s U.S. marketing manager for advanced technology vehicles, Toyota’s new family sized Prius will be hitting the U.S. market this fall after delays due to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The Prius V is being targeted to young families offering versatility and more interior room than most small sport utility vehicles on the market. The company sees the Prius V competing against vehicles such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and the Volkswagen Jetta wagon. Toyota will also be offering a plug in version of the current Prius model early next year followed by a smaller version, known as the Prius C. Toyota has dominated the gasoline electric hybrid market since the Prius went on sale in the U.S. in 2000. The company hopes that Prius sales will eventually rival the sales of Toyota’s popular models like the Camry and Corolla sedans.
Do You Qualify Under The California Lemon Law?
California Lemon Law Specialist Kurt Delsack has been protecting California lemon law clients since 1987 and has recovered millions of dollars for thousands of clients. Representing clients to the highest legal standards under the California lemon law, we pride ourselves in obtaining the most favorable results without going through the arbitration process, which could have a significant negative impact on any future legal action you may bring against the manufacturer. The first step in getting rid of a lemon vehicle is to know if your vehicle qualifies under the California lemon law. The above video offers easy steps that will help you see if your vehicle qualifies as a lemon. Your vehicle could qualify if:
1. You have repeated problems related to the safety, value, or use of your vehicle.
2. The vehicle was purchased or leased as new for personal and most small business use.
3. Or, if the vehicle is used, it was purchased while the manufacturer’s original, new car warranty was still in effect.
4. Finally, the manufacturer has had a reasonable number of repair attempts. A reasonable number is four repair attempts for the same or similar problem; or only two times if it is likely to cause serious bodily injury; or if the vehicle has been out of service, in the hands of an authorized dealer, for more than 30 days during the first 18 months or 18,000 miles; AND is still not repaired.
These are not absolute requirements to demand a repurchase on your vehicle. There are many situations which do not meet these guidelines but which may still entitle you to the lemon law protections.
If you think you have a lemon, call us today at 888-EX-LEMON or 888-395-3666 for a free consultation, or complete and submit the short form on our website at www.calemonlaw.com.
Life is too short to live with a lemon, contact our offices and “Get Rid Of Your Lemon Today! CALL:
California Lemon Law in Los Angeles: 310-475-1700
California Lemon Law in San Francisco: 415-285-5366
California Lemon Law in Fresno: 559-382-0359
California Lemon Law in Long Beach: 562-282-9909
California Lemon Law in Oakland: 510-545-9083
California Lemon Law in Orange County: 949-856-4333
California Lemon Law in Palm Springs: 760-395-1000
California Lemon Law in San Diego: 619-229-6900
California Lemon Law in San Fernando Valley: 818-837-0500
California Lemon Law in San Jose: 408-681-8033
Car Makers Reject California Emission Proposal
California regulators are pushing a mandate that could have zero emission vehicles making up 5.5% of new car sales by 2018, increasing to 14% by 2025. The proposal is being rejected by auto makers who feel the plan is the first step into establishing new national fuel efficiency standards that could end up costing them $5,000 for every vehicle that does not meet the standard. According to the Association of Global Automakers (AGA) the requirement of electric vehicles would interfere with auto makers ability to meet the new fuel economy and emissions standards being proposed by the Obama administration. They feel that auto makers will be forced into building vehicles that are not in demand, into an infrastructure that can not meet their refueling needs. It is expected the plan would hit smaller auto companies the worst, because they have fewer resources and development advances for electric vehicles.
Buying A Car Made Easier With An App
Car shoppers no longer have be at the mercy of a dealership sales person when shopping for a new vehicle. In the age of online resources and smart phones the resourceful consumer has a arsenal of information to help negotiate the best deal. Car research companies like Ebay Motors, Cars.com, Kelley’s Blue Book and Edmunds have free smart phone applications that allow drivers to check car prices and ratings while giving direction for nearby dealers. The app provides true market values, the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), and helps the savvy consumer navigate the car buying process. Online calculators can help shoppers determine the type of car they can afford and how much a vehicle will cost whether paying cash, taking a loan or leasing the vehicle. Some of the apps offer a true cost to own feature which calculates how much car a buyer can afford, including taxes, interest, insurance, gas, and maintenance over the next five years. While not all apps may have information on used cars, providers say used car buyers will be offered that service very soon.
