Auto Dealerships Settle Deceptive Ad Charges in FTC's 'Operation Steer Clear'

Nine U.S. auto dealerships will settle deceptive advertising charges as part of a nationwide investigation by the Federal Trade Commission dubbed Operation Steer Clear, Automotive News reports today. The FTC said the dealers in this case made several "misrepresentations" in print, internet and video advertisements that violated the FTC Act, falsely leading consumers to believe they could buy cars for low prices, get low monthly payments through financing and/or make no upfront payment to lease vehicles. One dealer misled consumers to believe they won prizes they could collect at the dealership, the FTC said. "Car ads are an important source of information for serious shoppers," said Jessica Rich, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, in a statement. "Dealers' ads need to spell out costs and other important terms customers can count on. If they don't, dealers can count on the FTC to take action." The proposed consent orders settling the charges in the nine cases are intended to prevent the dealerships from engaging in similar deceptive advertising in the future, the FTC said. Here are specifics of the charges against the dealerships, according to the FTC: GeorgiaNissan of South Atlanta allegedly violated the FTC Act by deceptively advertising that consumers could finance a vehicle purchase with low monthly payments when, in fact, the payments were temporary "teasers" after which consumers would owe a different amount. The ads also allegedly violated TILA and Regulation Z, by failing to disclose certain credit related terms. Illinois Infiniti of Clarendon Hills allegedly violated the FTC Act by deceptively advertising that consumers could pay $0 upfront to lease a vehicle when, in fact, the advertised amounts excluded substantial fees and other amounts. The ads also allegedly violated the CLA and Regulation M, by failing to disclose certain lease related terms. North Carolina Paramount Kia allegedly violated the FTC Act by deceptively advertising that consumers could finance a purchase with low monthly payments when, in fact, the payments were temporary "teasers" after which the consumer would owe a much higher amount, by several hundred dollars. The ads also allegedly violated the TILA and Regulation Z, by failing to clearly and conspicuously disclose certain credit related terms. Michigan Fowlerville Ford allegedly violated the FTC Act by sending mailers that deceptively claimed consumers had won a sweepstakes prize, when, in fact, they had not. Some of their ads also allegedly violated TILA and Regulation Z, by failing to disclose certain credit related terms. Texas Southwest Kia companies allegedly violated the FTC Act by deceptively advertising that consumers could purchase a vehicle for specific low monthly payments when, in fact, consumers would owe a final balloon payment of over $10,000. The companies also allegedly deceptively advertised that consumers could drive home a vehicle for specific low up-front amounts and low monthly payments when, in fact, the deal was a lease and they would owe substantially more up-front. The ads also allegedly violated the CLA and Regulation M, by failing to disclose certain lease related terms, and the TILA and Regulation Z, by failing to disclose certain credit related terms. California Casino Auto Sales and Rainbow Auto Sales allegedly violated the FTC Act by deceptively advertising that consumers could purchase vehicles at specific low prices when, in fact, the price was $5,000 higher. Both dealers used a mix of English and Spanish in their ads. Norm Reeves Honda Superstore and Honda of Hollywood allegedly violated the FTC Act by deceptively advertising that consumers could pay zero money upfront to lease a vehicle, when in fact the advertised amounts excluded "substantial fees and other amounts," the FTC said. The ads also allegedly violated the Consumer Leasing Act and Regulation M by not disclosing certain lease-related terms, the FTC said. Norm Reeves Honda Superstore's ad also alleged violated the Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z by not disclosing certain credit-related terms. The settlements -- which are not yet final -- involve proposed consent agreements which prohibit the dealerships from misrepresenting in any advertisement for the purchase, financing, or leasing of motor vehicles the cost of leasing a vehicle, the cost of purchasing a vehicle with financing, or any other material fact about the price, sale, financing, or leasing of a vehicle. In some cases, the proposed consent orders also require the dealerships to clearly and conspicuously disclose terms required by these credit and lease laws. Fowlerville Ford also is prohibited under the proposed order from misrepresenting material terms of any prize, sweepstakes, giveaway, or other incentive. The FTC is also taking action against a 10th dealership, Courtesy Auto Group of Attleboro, Mass., alleging it deceptively advertised that consumers can lease a vehicle for $0 down and specific monthly payments when, in fact, the advertised amounts exclude substantial fees. The ads also allegedly violate the CLA and Regulation M, by failing to disclose or clearly and conspicuously disclose certain lease related terms. The issuance of the administrative complaint marks the beginning of a proceeding in which the allegations against Courtesy Auto Group will be tried in a formal hearing before an administrative law judge. Jamie Lareau is a writer for Automotive News Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the name of the FTC operation. It is called Operation Steer Clear.

Auto Dealerships Settle Deceptive Ad Charges in FTC's 'Operation Steer Clear'

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