Category Archives: Automotive

Attorney General Ellison sues used-car dealer for deceptive sales

AG’s Office investigated after receiving consumer complaints: uncovered Midwest Car Search engaged in pattern and practice of deceptive sales, specifically targeting and exploiting Spanish speakers and people with low credit scores

Lawsuit filed in Anoka County asserts violations of Minnesota’s Used Car Law and consumer protection statutes; seeks millions in consumer refunds in addition to injunctive relief and penalties

Full Release: https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Office/Communications/2024/04/23_MCS.asp

SSN ANNOUNCES BEST OF WARRANTY & SERVICE CONTRACT INDUSTRY AWARDS

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Chicago, Illinois, April 15, 2024) – The warranty industry announces annual best-of-industry awards! Strategic Solutions Network (SSN) launches the inaugural SSN Warranty Industry Annual Awards for 2024. These awards are peer-nominated industry awards to recognize and showcase innovation and excellence in the warranty and extended warranty/service contract industries.

The inaugural 2024 awards features 5 awards categories with one winner per category. The awards will honor corporate entities with the exception of the “Warranty Industry Champion” award, which will recognize the most significant individual contributor to the industry.

AWARD CATEGORIES:
Innovative Product Design
Transformative Technology Innovation Leadership
Customer Experience Excellence
Operational Performance & Administrative Excellence
Warranty Industry Champion

Please visit: www.warrantyawards.org for detailed criteria for each category and to submit your vote.

The 2024 Award nominees will be announced by end-August 2024, and winners will be announced on the first day of the 14th Annual Extended Warranty and Service Contracts Innovations conference, scheduled for September 24-25, 2024, at the Palmer House Hilton, Chicago, Illinois.

The awards steering committee will oversee the voting process to ensure fairness and transparency:

  • Eric Arnum, Publisher, Warranty Week
  • Travis Moore, General Counsel, Service Contract Industry Council (SCIC)
  • Roz Applebaum, Vice President, Warranty Innovations Conferences, SSN

Please visit www.warrantyawards.org for more detailed information and to submit your nominees. To vote, visit www.warrantyawards.org/vote.php.

Strategic Solutions Network (SSN) is also the producer of highly acclaimed industry-wide events including:

  • The 14th Annual Extended Warranty & Service Contract Innovations, September 24-25, 2024, Palmer House Hilton, Chicago, Illinois. www.warrantyinnovations.com

For more information, contact: Roz Applebaum at [email protected].

General Motors Hosts: Warranty Claim Processes, Systems & Cost Sharing Club Study & Parts Return Center Tour April 18-19

General Motors invites MAPconnected Warranty, Aftersales & Aftercare Services Network to contribute to a facilitated Club Study on April 18-19. 

The facilitated benchmarking event will take place at Cole Engineering Center, Warren Michigan and include a tour of their Warranty Parts Center and a networking dinner.   

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Meramec Secure Announces New Relationship with a Leading Insurance Platform

Meramec Secure Adds Homeowner and Automobile P&C Insurance Solutions for D2C Home Warranty and Auto Service Contract Sellers

Chicago, IL, February 12, 2024 – Meramec Secure, a nationwide designer and producer of specialty insurance and service contract solutions, has recently announced a new strategic relationship with a leading insurance platform. 

This relationship provides access to products from multiple property and casualty insurance carriers.  It is designed to generate cross-sales of auto and home insurance coverage for direct-to-consumer auto and home service contract shoppers via automated API, warm transfer, or web-based solutions.

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PTC Named a Leader in IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Warranty Service Management Applications 2024 Vendor Assessment

A leader in warranty service management

The PTC team is proud to deliver expertise in vertical, geographical, and function nuances and best practices.

“PTC’s warranty offering is flexible with the intent to empower customers in their management of warranty policies, coverages, reimbursement terms, business rules, workflows, and service campaigns. The warranty operation continues to evolve as customer needs and market shifts occur,” the report continues. “PTC also has incorporated its recent acquisition of ServiceMax from a field service perspective to better optimize warranty transaction processing and analytics.”

PTC was also previously named a Leader twice in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Manufacturing Warranty and Service Contract Management Applications 2022 and 2019-2020 Vendor Assessments.

Read the Full Article and View the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Warranty Service Management Applications 2024 Vendor Assessment.

Warranty & Service Contract Innovations

Join us for Warranty & Service Contract Innovations for Vehicle, Home, Smart Products & Consumer Goods, scheduled for April 17-18, 2024, at the Hilton DoubleTree in Nashville.

This is an exclusive 2-track event that affords a deep dive into industry-specific topics for Auto, Truck, Home, Appliance, Consumer Electronics, Mobile and more! By popular demand, the expanded coverage this year features more topics unique to each market plus best practice case studies, panel discussions, news flashes, and round table discussion groups.


There will also be combined general sessions bringing everyone together to learn from all sides of the industry.


To register, please visit: www.globalwarrantyinnovations.com. Use Discount Code WN300 for $300 off.

FTC Announces Enhanced Penalties for FTC Combating Auto Retail Scams (CARS) Rule Violations in 2024

The enhanced penalties took effect on January 10th and will impact the Combating Auto Retail Scams (CARS Rule) and existing violations for unfair and deceptive acts and practices.  

Full Article: https://complynet.com/resources/articles/enhanced-penalties-for-ftc-violations-in-2024

FTC, Connecticut Take Action Against Auto Dealer for Deceiving Consumers, Forcing Junk Fees

The Federal Trade Commission and the State of Connecticut are taking action against an auto dealer, its owner, and several key employees for systematically deceiving consumers about the price of certified used cars, add-ons, and government fees.

Full Article: https://www.einnews.com/amp/pr_news/679102720/ftc-connecticut-take-action-against-manchester-city-nissan-for-deceiving-consumers-forcing-junk-fees

New York enacts new requirements for subscription auto-renewals and credit card surcharge pricing

New York Governor Hochul signed a new law designed to protect consumers from unwanted subscriptions.

Full Article: https://www.consumerfinancemonitor.com/2023/12/20/new-york-enacts-new-requirements-for-subscription-auto-renewals-and-credit-card-surcharge-pricing/

Line\5 Welcomes Brenda Cline Kereakes as Chief Operating Officer

“We are thrilled to announce a fantastic addition to the Line\5 family – Brenda Cline Kereakes, our new Chief Operating Officer!”

Brenda brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our dynamic team, and we are confident that her strategic vision and leadership will play a pivotal role in driving Line\5 to new heights. With a proven track record of success in operational excellence and a passion for fostering collaborative environments, Brenda is poised to make a significant impact on our organization.

Join us in extending a warm welcome to Brenda! We are eager to leverage her skills and insights as we continue to deliver outstanding results for our clients and partners. Together, we are building a future where Line\5 stands at the forefront of innovation and success.