- The US Federal Trade Commission warned 97 dealers about engaging in “deceptive pricing” practices in March.
- The FTC revealed the names of the dealers in late May.
- The agency wants to encourage dealers to ensure ‘advertised prices are transparent and honest.’
The US Federal Trade Commission has revealed a list of 97 dealers who were warned about their alleged use of “deceptive pricing” practices. The list includes some of the largest dealers in the country, such as Lithia Motors, AutoNation, and Hendrick Automotive Group.
In March, the agency said the letters were sent to “pushing the dealer to review their advertising and pricing practices, including ensuring advertised prices cover all costs consumers would pay when purchasing a vehicle.” At the time of the announcement, the FTC did not disclose which dealers it had contacted.
The FTC seeks to ensure that prices are “transparent and honest,” according to the letter he sent to the dealer. The agency wants to prevent certain pricing practices that obscure the true price of the car and has sent a letter to dealers telling them they may be promoting prices that are “lower than the price you actually charge consumers.”
The letters list possible illegal practices such as “Advertising prices that do not reflect all required costs,” “Conditioning advertised prices to consumers on dealer financing,” “Advertising unavailable or non-existent vehicles,” and more. These letters do not mean that the dealers are guilty of engaging in these practices. It reads:
‘This letter is not intended to be a comprehensive statement regarding any concerns you may have regarding your dealer or dealer group. It is also not intended to represent any conclusions regarding whether your dealer or dealer group engages in these practices.
The agency revealed the names in late May, and here are the 97 dealers who received the letter.
- Aaron Chrysler Avoids Jeep Ram
- Adzam Inc. dba Doug’s Lynnwood Mazda
- AutoNation, Inc
- Autopia Car
- Jeep Dodge Ram Ingram Park Chrysler Benson
- Berkshire Hathaway Automotive
- Best Price Dealer
- Bud Clary Auto Group
- California Beemers Inc
- California Motors Direct
- Prime Minister Capital Auto Mall
- GMC Buick Cardinal
- Cardinale Automotive Group
- Car Hub
- Cincy Automall
- Kia City in Greater Orlando
- Clay Cooley Auto Group-Clay Cooley Company
- Once again Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
- Fayetteville Dodge Ram
- Findlay Automotive Group
- Fontana Motors Direct
- Ford of Elizabethton
- Frisco Chrysler Avoids Jeep Ram
- Gettel Automotive
- Gilroy Chrysler Avoids Jeep Ram
- Greenway Auto Group
- Group 1 Automotive Inc.
- Hanna Imports
- Hardin Buick Pontiac GMC
- Hayes Chrysler Dodge Jeep of Gainesville
- Hyundai Headquarters
- Hendrick Automotive Group
- Hiley Automotive Group
- Holman
- Honda in Downtown Chicago
- Honda from Manchester
- Houston Direct Auto
- Huntley Ford
- Hyundai of El Cajon
- Hyundai Stockton
- Automotive Integrity/MCS Integrity Co Inc
- Jack Phelan Chrysler Avoids Jeep RAM
- Jeff Wyler Automotive
- Jim Hard Automotive
- John Sisson Mercedes Benz
- John Sisson Motors
- John Sisson Nissan
- Ken Ganley Automotive Group
- Ken Garff Automotive Group
- Killeen Hyundai
- King of Jamaica Auto Inc
- LancasterMitsubishi
- Legend Car Sales
- Nissan Freedom
- Litia Motors Inc
- Lokey Automotive Group
- Mac Haik Auto Group
- McGrath Acura of Downtown Chicago
- McGrath Acura of Libertyville
- McGrath Arlington Kia
- Miami Lake Chevrolet
- Volkswagen Midlands of Columbia
- Morgan Auto Group, LLC
- Nissan of Cold Springs
- Noller Auto Group/Laid Noller Automotive Inc
- North Star Kia
- Old Garden Nissan
- Auto Group Orr
- Ourisman Automotive Group
- Honda Yard of Bloomfield
- Toyota Page
- Lamborghini Miami Import Prestige
- Rairdon’s Honda Burien
- Red McCombs Motors Ltd
- Route 23 Nissan
- Route 46 Auto Group
- Safford Automotive Group
- Sanford Imports
- Serra Chevrolet Buick GMC of Nashville
- Serra Honda
- Serra Kia of Trussville
- Serra Toyota
- Serramonte Subaru
- Seth Wadley Auto Group
- Sonic Automotive
- South Coast Nissan
- Automatic South Team
- Auto Outlet Streaming
- Ford Superior Inc
- Agung Motors LLC
- Titanium Motors Inc
- Universal Nissan Orlando
- Toyota Vancouver
- Mitsubishi Victory
- Visalia Hyundai
- Wagner Kia of Shrewsbury
- Zeigler Automotive Group
Motorcycle Pickup1: There are few things as frustrating as seeing a car advertised at one price, only to go to the dealer and find out it’s much more expensive. This not only wastes time and frustrates consumers but is also bad business that can drive shoppers to brands with direct-to-consumer sales models just to cut through the clutter.
