The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is cracking down on automobile dealerships who use deceptive advertising to increase auto sales and service appointments. According to the consumer protection agency, automobile dealers made a variety of misrepresentations in print, internet, and video advertisements that offered zero-down financing when there are substantial fees, deceptive low-payment deals, sweepstakes for prizes that do not exist, and mailings that resemble vehicle recall notifications. Nine vehicle dealerships in six states have already agreed to a settlement that would cease deceptive ad tactics and subject dealers to a fine of $16,000 per violation. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Automotive sales
Used Vehicles Sold With Unfixed Recalls
According to a recent Carfax study, approximately 3.5 million automobiles listed for sale online have unfixed recalls on them. While all states have recalled automobiles for sale, nearly one third of the total were in California, Texas, Missouri, Florida, and Ohio. Continue reading
Japanese Auto Parts Manufacturers Fined For Price Fixing
Japanese auto parts maker, Takata Corporation, is the latest parts manufacturer to be charged in one of the largest criminal antitrust investigations, according to the U.S. Justice Department. The inquiry into price-fixing auto parts between worldwide manufacturers began back in January 2000 and is estimated to have resulted in more than $1.6 billion in fines since 2011. The investigation covers over a dozen separate conspiracies involving over thirty different auto parts affecting Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru and Toyota. Continue reading
Auto Backup Camera Debate Continues
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that about 300 fatalities and 18,000 injuries occur each year as a result of accidents caused by vehicles backing up, with almost 45% of these fatalities involve children under five. A lawsuit filed in New York today, has the Consumers Union and the advocacy wing of Consumer Reports magazine hoping that it will force the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to take steps in setting rear visibility standards for light vehicles. Continue reading
Fuel Economy Labels For Used Cars
The Government has taken steps to improve the fuel efficiency of vehicles sold in America by establishing some of the toughest fuel economy standards for passenger vehicles in U.S. history. These standards are expected to save consumers $1.7 trillion at the pump and reduce carbon pollution by six billion metric tons. As part of the program, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) developed a window sticker for new vehicles which allows consumers to compare conventional cars, hybrids and all electric vehicles by giving information on greenhouse gas ratings, emissions, smog ratings, and fuel costs. The new label came into effect for all 2013 model vehicles. Continue reading
Leasing Encourages Moderately Priced Auto Sales
Automobile leasing has traditionally been used by high end automakers as a way of making their vehicles more accessible for consumers. High used car prices, low interest rates and Americans’ tendency to buy vehicles based on monthly payments, now has automakers using the strategy to sell more moderately priced vehicles as well. This selling tactic has resulted in strong sales with leases accounting for approximately 26 percent of new vehicles purchased, the highest it has been since 2007. Continue reading
Are You Thinking Of Buying a Used EV?
According to CNW Marketing Research in Bandon, Oregon, there are approximately 415,000 used electric vehicles (EV) on the market right now, and like regular used vehicles they are cheaper than buying new and can save you money on insurance. If you are thinking of purchasing a used vehicle and you would like to buy a hybrid, there are certain factors to take into consideration when shopping for this type of vehicle. Continue reading
California Laws on Early Auto Lease Termination
Consumers in California have lease holder laws that offer protection beyond the federal laws. Whatever your reason for wanting to get out of a lease, if you do not have a “cooling off” clause in your contract, it is recommended to proceed with caution. The laws allow consumers in California to terminate a California automobile lease at any time, but Continue reading
