In March, the federal authorities alerted about 100 car dealerships, instructing them to halt any misleading pricing tactics—or face consequences. Although it was a significant topic back then, the FTC chose not to publicly disclose the names of the dealerships they contacted. However, late last week, the FTC published the complete list of the recipients online.
Automotive News highlighted key details from the list, which can be accessed (a bit fragmented and in no particular sequence) on the agency’s website, where you can review them at your leisure. Some familiar names appear on the list, such as AutoNation and Hendrick Automotive Group. Included among the recipients is Lithia Group, which boasts more dealerships in the U.S. than any other single organization.
Here’s the comprehensive list of dealership groups that received notices; be aware that it only amounts to about 85 unique entries; some dealer groups were issued multiple warnings for distinct corporate entities in various regions where they operate.
- Aaron Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
- Adzam Inc. dba Doug’s Lynnwood Mazda
- AutoNation, Inc
- Autopia Motorcars
- Benson’s Ingram Park Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram
- Berkshire Hathaway Automotive
- Best Price Dealer
- Bud Clary Auto Group
- California Beemers Inc
- California Motors Direct
- Capital Auto Mall Premier
- Cardinal Buick GMC
- Cardinale Automotive Group
- CarHub
- Cincy Automall
- City Kia of Greater Orlando
- Clay Cooley Auto Group-Clay Cooley Enterprises
- Encore Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
- Fayetteville Dodge Ram
- Findlay Automotive Group
- Fontana Motors Direct
- Ford of Elizabethton
- Frisco Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
- Gettel Automotive
- Gilroy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
- Greenway Auto Group
- Group 1 Automotive Inc.
- Hanna Imports
- Hardin Buick Pontiac GMC
- Hayes Chrysler Dodge Jeep of Gainesville
- Headquarter Hyundai
- Hendrick Automotive Group
- Hiley Automotive Group
- Holman
- Honda of Downtown Chicago
- Honda of Manhasset
- Houston Direct Auto
- Huntley Ford
- Hyundai of El Cajon
- Hyundai Stockton
- Integrity Automotive/MCS Integrity Co. Inc.
- Jack Phelan Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM
- Jeff Wyler Automotive
- Jim Keras 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.
- Lancaster Mitsubishi
- Legend Auto Sales
- Liberty Nissan
- Lithia Motors, Inc.
- Lokey Automotive Group
- Mac Haik Auto Group
- McGrath Acura of Downtown Chicago
- Old Orchard Nissan
- Orr Auto Group
- Ourisman Automotive Group
- Page Honda of Bloomfield
- Page Toyota
- Prestige Imports Lamborghini Miami
- Rairdon’s Honda of 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 Shore Nissan
- Superior Ford, Inc.
- Supreme Motors LLC
- Template Auto Warning Letter (System reference document)
- Titanium Motors Inc.
- Universal Nissan Orlando
- Vancouver Toyota
- Victory Mitsubishi
- Visalia Hyundai
- Wagner Kia of Shrewsbury
If a dealership is listed, it indicates that the FTC has reasons to believe they are or have been involved in one or more of the following questionable practices:
- Promoting a price that does not include all mandatory fees,
- Promoting a price that includes rebates or discounts not accessible to all consumers,
- Promoting a price that does not account for the amount of an extra required down payment,
- Making the advertised price conditional on consumers using dealer financing,
- Forcing consumers to purchase additional items not included in the advertised price, and
- Advertising vehicles that are unavailable or do not exist.
You might recognize a few names from this list. Do you have any stories of bait-and-switch pricing? Feel free to share in the comments.
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