Wheels of Fortune. Ken Bensinger. Los Angeles Times. (2011). The three-part investigative series, along with online multimedia components, documents how "Buy Here Pay Here" used car dealers, who prey on people with credit problems, are thriving in California. Link to the full series and view key research documents.
Part 1: A Vicious Cycle in the Used-Car Business (Oct. 30, 2011)
Part 2: Investors Place Big Bets on Buy Here Pay Here Used Car Dealers (Nov. 1, 2011)
Part 3: coming (Nov. 3, 2011)
Fueling Fair Practices: A Road Map to Improved Public Policy for Used Car Sales and Financing. John Van Alst. National Consumer Law Center. (2009) (PDF).
Baby, You Can Take My Car: The Dangers of Auto Title Loans. National Consumer Law Center Webinar. Leah Plunkett, Sarah Mattson, Leslie Parrish, Jay Speer. July 15, 2010.
Cars and Working Families, Part 1: Asset Limits. NCLC Webinar with John Van Alst, Nick Straley, Hosai Ehsan, David McMahon, Aug. 19, 2009.
Cars and working Families, Part 2: Cash for Clunkers. NCLC Webinar with John Van Alst, Rosemary Shahan, Chris Kukla, Delvin Davis, Lisa Margonelli, Aug. 26, 2009
2008 Consumer Complaint Survey Report.Consumer Federation of America, National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators & North American Consumer Protection Investigators. (2010)
Lessons Learned from Cash for Clunkers Program.U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).(2010) (PDF).
Pursuit of the American Dream: Cars and Jobs in America. Annie E. Casey Foundation. (2010).
Avoid auto dealer scams. Pro-consumer experts give tips for car buyers. Video.Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety. (2010)
Changing Lives Study. Vehicles for Change. (2009).
Testimony on "Consumer Protection in the Used and Subprime Car Market". Rosemary Shahan, Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety. Before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, Mar. 5, 2009.
Commuting to Opportunity: The Working Poor and Commuting in the United States.Robert Puentes & Elizabeth Roberto. The Brookings Institution.(2008) (PDF).
Vehicle Donations Selected Charities Reported Mixed Experiences After Changes in Vehicle Donation Rules.U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). (2008). (PDF)
Steer Clear: How Credit Unions Help Car Buyers Avoid Predatory Loans.William Myers. Casey - Aspen Institute, Annie E. Casey Foundation & National Credit Union Foundation. (2008).
Asymmetric Information and the Automobile Loan Market. Sumit Agarwaul, Brent Ambrose, Souphala Chomsisenghet. (2007)
GAO Report: GSA Fleet Information on the Effect of Donating Cars to YouthBuild USA and Potential Benefits to Rural Youthbuild Participants.U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).(2006).
Why Mobiilty Matters. Ted Balaker. Reason Foundation (2006) (PDF).
U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, NHTS 2001 Highlights Report, BTS03-05. U.S. Dep't of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics.(2003).
GAO: Vehicle Donations - Taxpayer Considerations When Donating Vehicles to Charities.U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). (2003). (PDF)
CFPB to Crack Down on Race-Based Auto Loans
Press Release: CFPB to Hold Auto Lenders Accountable for Discrimination in Auto Lending
Group Opposes FTC Used Car rule
Consumer groups submitted comments to the FTC
Hurricane Sandy Flood Damaged Vehicles
In the Wake of Hurricane Sandy many vehicles have been heavily damaged by flooding. The National Salvage Vehicle Reporting Program (NSVRP) has some helpful information for consumers, law enforcement, insurers and others about this growing problem.
Did you get a fair deal when you bought, leased, or financed your car? If not, the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) wants to hear from you.
Learn More
Update Auto Warranty Act
Group comments to the Federal Trade Commission on the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act Review on auto warranties a and defects
Comments by National Consumer Law Center and National Association of Consumer Advocates.
“Working Cars for Working Families: Real Progress, Real Opportunities” Conference
On October 29, 2010, advocates, academics, government regulators, practitioners, and others came together at the offices of the Federal Reserve Board to examine the vital importance of a car to family economic success, the hurdles to car ownership that families face, what efforts are currently being made to overcome these obstacles, and what more can be done to facilitate successful car ownership by families. more
Massachusetts has amended its exemptions laws to better protect the family car and other necessities. This law sets out what property debtors are able to protect from unsecured judgment creditors. From the article in the Boston Globe:
The new law updates decades-old property exemptions, allowing consumers to keep a car worth up to $7,500 out of reach of collectors, up from $700 in the past. Owners who are 60 or older or disabled will get a $15,000 car exemption. Consumers also may hold on to $2,500 in a bank account, five times the current level.
“This new law will protect thousands of struggling Massachusetts residents, and allow them to house, feed, and support their families and continue to work as they struggle to pay debts and get back on their feet after an economic setback,’’ said Robert J. Hobbs, deputy director of the National Consumer Law Center.
The entire globe article may be found here.
For more information about the importance of exemptions for cars see this webinar we did last year on exemptions and asset limits.