FTC goes after 'payment packing,' federal EV charger rollout, drivers annoyed by certain car tech

Hey everyone. Did you know?

Everyone who works at Car Dealership Guy came through a cold email or referral.

If building the next phase of automotive media excites you, shoot me an email at [email protected] ... You never know what opportunities may arise.

— CDG

1. FTC targets 3 Asbury dealerships over 'payment packing'

Driving the news: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has sued three Texas dealerships owned by Asbury Automotive for allegedly engaging in “payment packing” and other discriminatory practices.

The dealerships are accused of adding unnecessary add-ons to inflate prices and targeting Black and Latino car buyers.

Asbury Automotive denies the allegations and claims to have conducted an internal investigation finding no wrongdoing … Read more

2. The government-backed public EV charger rollout is complicated

The U.S. government's slow rollout of EV charging stations, despite significant funding, has sparked criticism from lawmakers and EV drivers alike.

The intrigue: The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program (NEVI) has yielded only 11 chargers as of July.

Critics point to unreliable networks, unclear pricing, and slow government processes as major barriers to EV adoption … Read more

Connecting world-class talent with top-notch companies in Automotive.

Great career opportunities are hard to find. We make it easier. Search through open roles or submit your resume confidentially on the CDG Jobs Board. Best part? It’s 100% free.

Here are some standouts for anyone looking for their next move.

• Veros Credit is hiring 10 regional sales managers all across the country.

• Edmunds is looking for an account executive in Seattle.

• Ron Marhofer needs to fill three dealership positions including sales, BDC, and F&I.

Looking to hire? Add your roles today—it’s 100% free.

3. Drivers complain about unhelpful vehicle tech in new research

What’s happening: A new study by J.D. Power reveals that many advanced vehicle technologies are failing to impress car owners, despite significant investments by automakers.

Features like driver assistance systems, fingerprint readers, and passenger-side infotainment screens have received negative feedback due to their complexity, lack of utility, or failure to address real-world problems … Read more

• Fire damages EVs at Rivian plant, but factory remains unharmed.

• Tesla re-launches referral program with $1,000 reward.

• Automakers hope for cuts as Biden Administration finalizes China tariffs.

• Canada plans to charge 100% tariff on China-made EVs.

• Ford to widen Maverick, Bronco, and Mustang sub-brands.

Thanks for reading everyone.

— CDG