Goodbye Scion: Toyota to Kill Scion Brand After 13 Years

Toyota has just announced that it is going to kill its Scion brand after 13 years.  The brand was originally started to attract new, younger customers, but ultimately only proved to drain Toyota’s resources.

Many of the vehicles, like the FR-S sports car, iA sedan, and iM five-door hatchback will reportedly be re-badged as Toyotas for the 2017 model year, but the tC coupe will reportedly end production.  And, the C-HR displayed at the Los Angeles Auto Show will become a Toyota. 

Toyota claims that it made the decision in response to it’s customers' needs– essentially, that younger buyers not only want the styling that Scion offered, but also the practicality that Toyota offers. Moreover, in the last 13 years, Toyota’s own vehicles have gotten sportier and will likely be more appealing to younger buyers.

Scion reportedly sold more than 1,000,000 vehicles over the last 13 years, with its best year coming in 2006, when it sold 173,034 vehicles.  Since then, sales have reportedly declined steadily, with its lowest sales coming in 2010 at only 45,678, and have never recovered.

But according to Toyota, this isn’t a failure. According to Toyota CEO, and founding VP of Scion, Jim Lentz, "this isn't a step backward for Scion; it's a leap forward for Toyota. Scion has allowed us to fast track ideas that would have been challenging to test through the Toyota network...I was there when we established Scion and our goal was to make Toyota and our dealers stronger by learning how to better attract and engage young customers. I'm very proud because that's exactly what we have accomplished."


According to a senior analyst with IHS Automotive, who compared Scion to GM’s failed brand Saturn, "two industry lessons to be learned from Scion are similar to those that GM should have learned from its Saturn experiment: A brand will not be successful without consistent, sustained, long-term support. Nor can it be successful on a long-term basis if its strongest differentiation is wrapped around the approach to sales and service, rather than from a vibrant product range."

I guess only time will tell how the Scion vehicles will do under the Toyota brand name.

Beth Wells

www.BurdgeLaw.com

www.OhioLemonLaw.com

www.KentuckyLemonLaw.com

Helping Consumers Get Rid of Lemons, 12 Years Running

Ford Fuel Tank Recall

Ford Motor Company has recalled certain 2010 and 2011 Ford Fusion motor vehicles manufactured between July 21, 2008 and March 4, 2011, and certain 2010 and 2011 Mercury Milan motor vehicles manufactured between July 23, 2008 and December 10, 2010.  The affected vehicles reportedly have fuel vapor canisters whose purge valves may not operate properly resulting in abnormal pressure changes in the fuel tank.  The recall is said to affect 411,205 vehicles.

According to Ford Motor Company, the malfunctioning purge valves may result in abnormal pressure changes in the fuel tank, causing the fuel tank to crack.  And, a fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could result in the risk of a fire.

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration ("NHTSA"), Ford Motor Company will notify vehicle owners directly, and its authorized dealers will update the powertrain control modules, inspect the vehicle for any diagnostic trouble codes for this issue, perform a leak test on the Canister Purge Valve, inspect the fuel tank for cracks, and replace the Canister Purge Valve and/or fuel tank as necessary, all free of charge.  The recall is expected to begin January 11, 2016.  

Owners may also contact Ford Motor Company direct at 1-866-436-7332, and should reference recall 15S34. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safecar.gov.

To read more about the recall, click here.

If you have a 2010 or 2011 Ford Fusion or Mercury Milan, then check to see if it is included in the recall and make sure to get it into a Ford Motor Company authorized dealer for repair.

Do you have a 2010 or 2011 Ford Fusion or Mercury Milan that has been in the shop repeated times for warranty repairs in Ohio or Kentucky, but is still not fixed?  If so, call our Toll Free Hotline, 1.888.331.6422, to see if we can help you out of your defective vehicle today.

Beth Wells

www.BurdgeLaw.com

www.OhioLemonLaw.com

www.KentuckyLemonLaw.com

Helping Consumers Get Rid of Lemons, 11 Years Running

Watch Out!: Common Tricks Used by Car Dealers

In the market for a new car?  Make sure you know five (5) tricks commonly used by car dealers to scam you out of your hard earned money. 

Trick #1: Lies, Lies and More Lies 
Wonder what the value of your trade-in is?  What the market price for the vehicle you are considering is?  What the availability for the particular vehicle you are looking at is at other dealerships?  What the history or condition of the vehicle you are looking at is?  Don't trust the dealer to tell you the truth because, chances are, they won't.  
Rule #1: Do your research before you walk in the door.  Know the average trade-in value, what average sales prices, the CarFax Vehicle History, and the availability of the vehicle by researching these issues online.  In car sales, consumer knowledge is power.   

Trick #2: Focusing on Monthly Payments
Most consumers focus on the monthly payment for the simple reason that they want to make sure that they can afford the purchase.  However, car dealers will often use this focus to trick consumers into paying more for the vehicle in the long run.  For example, the dealer may tell you that they can get you financed at a lower monthly payment, but not tell you that the term of the loan will be longer and/or the interest rate will be higher and or the purchase price will be higher.  This allows the dealer to raise the purchase price and interest rate, or include additional add-ons, without you even knowing it.
Rule #2: Always negotiate based upon the purchase price of the vehicle. 

Trick #3: Low-Balling Trade In

Rest assured that if you are trading in a vehicle, the dealer's first offer will be a low-ball offer.  The dealer wants to know just how low you will go and how badly you want that new (or new to you) vehicle.  Then, the dealer will likely turn around and make thousands on the sale of your vehicle to another consumer.  Don't believe the what the dealer tells you about the value of the vehicle-- research the value of your trade-in before you ever walk in the door so that you know what range to expect to get as an offer. 
Rule #3: Know the value of your vehicle before you walk in the door and be willing walk away and shop the trade in value at other dealers.

Trick #4: Packing the Deal with Soft Add-Ons
One of the best ways for new car dealers to make money these days is to secretly pack your deal with soft add-ons that you simply don't need and don't even know you are paying extra for! Examples include: "personal assistant", "environmental package", "etch", "key care", "pro-pack", or "credit life", just to name a few.  If you don't pay close attention, you could be paying thousands of dollars for these "soft add ons" that you simply don't need.
Rule #4: Make sure to read the sales documents and don't let the finance manager rush you through the documents or hold his hand over the documents while you sign them.  

Trick #5: Spot Delivery

This common scam typically occurs with car buyers who have a lower credit rating.  The
dealer leads the consumer into believing that the financing is final and the consumer drives off in the vehicle.  After the consumer has shown off the vehicle and settled into it, the car dealer calls the consumer and tells them that they financing fell through and they need to come in and sign a second set of paperwork at a higher interest rate.  
Rule #5: Come to the dealer with financing already arranged.  This way the dealer can't muscle you into a higher interest rate 2 weeks down the road.

Already purchased a vehicle in Ohio or Kentucky and think you were the victim of one or more of these common tricks?  You can call Burdge Law Office on our Toll Free Hotline, 1-888-331-6422, to see if you have been unfairly mislead or deceived.

Beth Wells

www.BurdgeLaw.com

www.OhioLemonLaw.com

www.KentuckyLemonLaw.com

Helping Consumers Get Rid of Lemons, 11 Years Running

Genesis-- The New Hyundai Luxury Brand

Last week Hyundai Motor Co. announced plans for its new automobile luxury brand, Genesis.   This split has been rumored among industry watchers for years, similar to the two-channel strategy already developed by Honda (Acura), Toyota (Lexus), and Nissan (Infiniti).  Genesis is expected to compete directly with these luxury brands.
The Genesis lineup will reportedly span a total of six vehicles by 2020: the G90 sedan (replacing the Hyundai Equus), the G80 sedan (replacing the Hyundai Genesis), the smaller G70 sedan, a coupe, a mid-size crossover, and a larger SUV.  Hyundai Motor Co. has described the brand’s design as “athletic elegance”, and it plans for Genesis to "compete with the world's most renowned car brands."


Genesis will reportedly receive its own emblem (similar to the winged badge), a separate customer service experience, and its own design studio with former Bentley and Lamborghini designer Luc Donckerwolke at the helm.

While Hyundai Motor Co. has made clear that it will "distance itself from the traditional technological overload of brand-focused competitors", it is borrowing its alphanumeric naming structure (i.e. G90, G80, G70) from luxury automakers like BMW, Cadillac and Infiniti.  

Just days ago, Hyundai Motor Co. unveiled a rendering of the Genesis G90, describing it as “elegantly designed” and “technology packed”.  The rendering depicts a low sitting sedan with a long, dignified hood, narrow greenhouse, a sloping, fastback silhouette, a large grille, futuristic headlamps, and wraparound taillights.  The G90 will go on sale in South Korea in early December 2015 as the EQ900.  Hyundai Motor Co. reportedly aims to initially sell the Genesis brand in Korea, North America, China and the Middle East.

Beth Wells
www.BurdgeLaw.com
www.OhioLemonLaw.com
www.KentuckyLemonLaw.com
Helping Consumers Get Rid of Lemons, 11 Years Running

Nissan Recalling Vehicles for Fuel Leaks

Nissan North America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2016 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured March 19, 2015 to June 2, 2015, as well as certain model year 2013-2016 Altima 3.5 vehicles equipped with a V6 engine manufactured March 30, 2012 to August 18, 2015.  The recall is said to affect 46,846 vehicles.

According to Nissan North America, Inc., fuel may leak from the area where the fuel sending unit attaches to the fuel tank during a crash due to an improperly installed o-ring.  Nissan North America, Inc. admits that if fuel leaks from between the fuel sending unit and the tank, it may increase the risk of a fire in the event of a crash.

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration ("NHTSA"), Nissan North America, Inc. will notify owners directly, and its authorized dealers will install a retainer ring between the fuel tank and the fuel sending unit, free of charge.  The recall began on September 28, 2015.  Owners may also contact Nissan North America, Inc. direct at 1-800-647-7261, and should reference recall 15S16. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safecar.gov.


To read more about the recall, click here.

If you own an affected 2013-2016 Nissan Altima or a 2016 Nissan Maxima, then make sure to get it into an authorized dealer right away. To find a dealer near you, click here.

Do you have a 2013-2016 Nissan Altima or 2016 Nissan Maxima that experienced or is experiencing a fuel leak, but is still not fixed?  If the vehicle was purchased or repaired in Ohio or Kentucky, then you can call Burdge Law Office on our Toll Free Hotline, 1.888.331.6422, to see if we can help you out of your "lemon" vehicle.

Beth Wells

www.BurdgeLaw.com

www.OhioLemonLaw.com

www.KentuckyLemonLaw.com

Helping Consumers Get Rid of Lemons, 11 Years Running

Thinking of Doing a Desk Arbitration with the American Arbitration Association? You May Want to Think Again!

Unfortunately for consumers, it is becoming all too common to see an arbitration clause among the many sales documents in a used motor vehicle purchase.  In most cases, this means that the consumer cannot file a lawsuit in Court, but instead will have to arbitrate his or her dispute with the car dealership in private arbitration.  

One of the most popular private arbitration forums for consumer automobile fraud cases against car dealerships is the American Arbitration Association ("AAA").  With the AAA, a consumer can either arbitrate their claims at an oral hearing, or do what is called a desk arbitration where the decision is made upon written briefs and submitted documents only.

Normally, a benefit to AAA arbitration is that a case gets through the process relatively

quickly. However, that is not always the case.  In fact, even though AAA Rule R-45 requires that a decision be issued by the arbitrator within 30 days of the hearing date, I have a case that has been sitting without a decision for nearly 1 year.  

Is this common for desk arbitrations with the AAA?  Not in my experience.  But is it worth the risk that your client's case will languish in the bottomless abyss where desk arbitration briefs sit waiting for a decision?  My vote is no.  

Beth Wells

www.BurdgeLaw.com

www.OhioLemonLaw.com

www.KentuckyLemonLaw.com

Helping Consumers Get Rid of Lemons, 11 Years Running

  

Forest River, Inc. Wheel Stud Recall

Forest River, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2016 Amera-Lite ATTX and WATTX, Forest River Cherokee, Cherokee Grey Wolf, Cherokee Wolf Pup, Salem, Salem Laminated, Salem Limited Edition, Vengeance, Wildwood, Wildwood Laminated, and Wildwood Limited Edition, Cargo Mate Blazer, E Series, E Series Wedge, Eliminator, and Qualifier, Continental Cargo Auto Master, Elite Series, Tailwind and Value Hauler, Coachmen Catalina and Freedom Express, Palomino Puma and US Cargo Patriot X, Phantom, Trail & Sport and Trail Master trailers manufactured March 1, 2015 to march 31, 2015.  The recall is said to affect 346 travel trailers.


According to Forest River, Inc., the wheel studs that were used to attach the wheels to the axle hubs may break.  Forest River, Inc. admits that if the wheel studs break, the wheel could detach from the travel trailer, increasing risk of a crash.

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration ("NHTSA"), Forest River, Inc. will notify vehicle owners directly, and its authorized dealers will replace any affected wheel hub, free of charge.  The recall is expected to begin in May 2015.  Owners may also contact Forest River, Inc. direct at 1-800-453-6064, and should reference recall 51-03312015-0025. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safecar.gov.

To read more about the recall, click here.

If you own an affected travel trailer, then make sure to get it into an authorized dealer right away. To find a dealer near you, click here.

Do you have an affected travel trailer that experienced a wheel stud failure, but is still not fixed?  If the unit was purchased or repaired in Ohio or Kentucky, then you can call Burdge Law Office on our Toll Free Hotline, 1.888.331.6422, to see if we can help you out of your "lemon" travel trailer.

Beth Wells

www.BurdgeLaw.com

www.OhioLemonLaw.com

www.KentuckyLemonLaw.com

Helping Consumers Get Rid of Lemons, 11 Years Running