201208.21
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Auto-Related Complaints Top Consumer Woe

The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and the North American Consumer Protection Investigators (NACPI) recently released findings of an annual survey they conducted based upon information from 38 state, county, and city agencies in 22 states across America. The agencies that provided complaint numbers for the survey received a total of 289,732 complaints last year….

201202.16
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New Data on Auto Reliability from JD Power

JD Power indicates the number of lemons hitting California streets is decreasing.  25 of 32 brands improved their reliability scores.  Toyota Yaris is the most reliable subcompact, the Prius was the most reliable compact, and the Toyota Tundra was the best pickup.  Toyota’s recalls of more than 10 million cars for unintended acceleration began in…

201202.15
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Auto Lenders Worried about Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

An auto lenders trade group says it’s somewhat reassured by what staffers from the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are telling it. But they’re still anxious about how the new regulatory body will carry out its mandate. Last week, members of the American Financial Services Association met privately with bureau representatives during the AFSA Vehicle…

201202.11
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Ford Lease Turn-in Charge Scam

Automotive News reports on an alleged scam regarding lease turn-in charges for consumer vehicles and an ongoing court case.  The case started with Ford Credit’s assessment of $2,658 for excess wear and use on a Windstar that a consumer leased from 2000 to 2003 through Ford Credit’s Red Carpet program.  Ford Dealerships conducted lease-end inspections…

201201.27
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California “Clean Car” Debate

California’s goal of 1.4 million zero-emission or plug-in vehicles on the road by 2025 is being debated at California’s Air Quality Board.  Manufacturers including Ford Motor Company, Chrysler Group LLC, General Motors Co., and Nissan Motor Co, Ltd., in brief statements say they generally support the goal.  Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy division of…

201201.10
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General Motors taking lead in New Car Sales

GM (which includes Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, GMC, Opel, Vauxhall, and Holden) is on pace to sell more new cars than Toyota, Volkswagen or any other Japanese or European car manufacturers. Toyota and Honda, however, have had production hurt by the earthquake/tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disaster. New designs at Chevrolet and flood-damage in Japan may be…

201112.29
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San Diego New Car Sales Up, New Dealers Open

Reports just came out in the Union Tribune that San Diego new car sales are up 15%. Over the past 15 months, at least five new car showrooms or lots have opened in San Diego County, including San Diego European Motorcars and Mini of San Diego in Kearny Mesa; Hoehn’s Jaguar/Land Rover and Bob Baker…