[Lee Stewart]

FTC’s New CARS Rule Could Save Car Shoppers $3.4 Billion Each Year

You've heard the stories (or experienced it yourself): car dealers piling on junk fees, baiting-and-switching shoppers, and selling seniors unnecessary add-ons. All of these tactics will be illegal under the new FTC CARS Rule.

Combating Auto Retail Scam (CARS) prohibits dealers from misrepresenting their prices. The rule specifically looks out for military service members, whom dealers often target.
The Federal Trade Commission started talking about this new rule in 2022, but it won’t go into effect until late summer 2024.

Specifically, the CARS Rule stands on four main legs: (1) Dealers cannot misrepresent a vehicle's price; (2) Dealers must "clearly disclose" the actual price someone can pay for the car; (3) Dealers cannot charge consumers for add-ons that don't provide a benefit; and (4) Dealers must get a buyer's "express, informed consent before charging them for anything."

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a4...ule-explained/