Tag Archive
A South Carolina man whose vehicle was still under warranty said he was an able to get repairs done in a timely manner.
Since the middle of last year this consumer has been trying to get his van repaired but has not been able to get complete satisfaction. The car has been into the shop numerous times and after several months of trying promises were made that were not kept by the dealer.Â
He contacted the auto warranty company that provided him with his coverage and asked them to assist in getting the dealer to complete the repairs.  Many used car warranties offered by some providers would not have gotten involved. Auto Advantage Inc. was not one of them. They immediately contacted the dealer and persuaded them to complete repairs in just 48 hours. Needless to say the customer only has kind words for the representative and company that assisted him. The customer adds, “I just believe that if you buy an auto warranty the people that sell it to you should stand behind itâ€.
Used car warranties can be quite a value when purchased on any used vehicle in your family. In addition they will also increase the value of your vehicle as they are transferable when the vehicle is sold to the next owner.
Here is the situation presented to us…
Q: One of our contract holders allowed a friend to take over his car payments for 6 months while he was out of the US. A notarized contract was signed by both people. A month later, after the car was put in the shop for repairs incurring a $750 repair bill the person who took over the payments lost his job. He claimed he was broke and moved out of the state, abandoning the car at the repair facility. The shop refused to release the car to the original owner saying that as the car’s owner he was responsible for the bill even though all repair paperwork was signed by the person who had assumed responsibility for the car.Is the repair shop in the right?
Is it worth the effort of taking legal action against the shop to release vehicle since taking the other party to court is not an option?  Â
A: Legally it really depends upon the laws regarding an auto repair in your state. In most states the person who authorized the work is the one that is liable to the repair facility for the repairs. Since this person had possession of the car with your consent (and by your “contract” arrangement), they were the one acting as your agent and had authority to contract with the shop for repairs.Â
The shop is entitled to get paid for the work they did. They’re under no obligation to release the car to you without any charge. If they wanted, the shop could even get technical about the situation and require that they will only release the vehicle to the party who brought it to them in the first place and for whom the work was performed in good faith.
Obviously, in the future you would be many dollars ahead of the game by simply purchasing a comprehensive auto warranty. This would keep you form worrying about any used car warranty law issues in the future. There are many excellent aftermarket auto warranty programs to choose from. In my opinion the best of the best is Auto Advantage Incorporated at www.autowarranties.com.Â
Good luck with your current situation.
Sometimes I think there is no such thing as a good new car warranty.Â
 I had a new Ford Thunderbird and just prior to the manufacturer’s warranty expiration it was missing on one cylinder, apparently because the ignition coils failed. After some arguing, Ford issued a warranty extension for just this issue. Shortly thereafter, while on a trip I had to take the car to Ford dealership in Miami, they told me they were going to have to replace the throttle body, flush the injectors, and reprogram the computer (which had already been done). It was then that I was told the bill would be $1098.00 because this was not covered.Â
It was then that I decided to look into an extended auto warranty. I looked at some extended auto warranty plans and decided to contact Auto Advantage. I was able to purchase a used car warranty at a rate far less that the dealership was able to offer.Â
Automobile Innovation Joined by Mitsubishi FFV
Look for Mitsubishi to provide another entry into the automobile industry trend toward fuel efficiency in Brazil in 2007 and the United States by 2009. The Mitsubishi Motors Corporation’s Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) is capable of being powered by gasoline, ethanol, or a mix of both, reducing hazardous emissions while maintaining modern mechanical integrity.
The FFV is released in addition to Mitsubishi’s Innovative Electric Vehicle, another of the corporation’s contribution to environmentally friendly automobile engineering. Mitsubishi’s guideline for innovative advancement comes from the Century of the Environment standards.
See Also
The drop in self-serve gas prices in LA county and surrounding areas sets records
Though the price of crude oil remains steady, the average self-serve price of gas at the pump in LA and Orange County has dropped dramatically since this past August. From an article in the Daily Breeze:
The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline fell 64 cents in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area since Aug. 18 and 67 cents in Orange County, according to the Auto Club.
“With price downturns averaging a penny a day or more in the last 60 days, this is a record rate of decline.”
This drop in price include an 8 cent average drop this past week. Wire reports are picking up this story in California primarily, however, some many pricing trends that start in California in various industries later spread eastward to the rest of the country. Motorists across the United States certainly hope that it does.
See Also
When Two Giant Automobile Manufacturers Become One
What would the world do if GM and Ford became a single company? Probably treat it like any other American automobile manufacturing company. So what is so exciting about the potential alliance of two of the major automotive players? Quite a 
bit, if you’re at all involved with auto industry news. The prospect of GM and Ford putting their two experienced and highly influential automotive companies together is really more of a risky business concern than a question of “what will this do for the auto industry?”
The automobile industry would certainly feel the effect of the two giants’ merger, but no one would be more affected than if GM and Ford were to join only to have the partnership be a failure. Many large companies have embarked on the mission to unite with hopes of knocking out the market share mostly by combining solid reputation to watch the result of the merger unexpectedly crumble to below what each business had attained on their own. Reports of a possible merging of GM and Ford are highly interesting because the auto world would be waiting with held breath to see if it turns out successful or a flop. In the meantime, if it’s publicity the two corporations are looking for, they’ve succeeded at that.
See Also
Translation: A Full-Sized Vehicle Purchase Deal
If there’s one way to battle difficult times for your automotive company, it’s to strike 
a sweet-sounding deal with your patrons. GM is doing just that as it announces that its 2007 line of full-sized pick-up trucks will go for no more than the 2006 line. Without getting nit-picky about pricing details and the amount of difference in this year’s line over lasts, the offer will sound nice to customers looking to purchase a truck.
While car owners and intentional buyers are getting excited about the prospect of a great buying year, GM’s offer is another example of how American auto manufacturers are being forced to compete with high fuel prices and increasingly popular foreign models. This is surely prime time to invest in your vehicle’s long-term lasting ability. When car makers offer deals and incentives to the extend that they are currently, it means the bottom line is car ownership is more expensive than ever and the public is pressured to place new vehicle buying as a lower priority. An extended warranty on your automobile can keep you from having to return to the lot sooner than your wallet expects or allows.
See Also
US Auto Makers Encouraged To Approach like Asian Competitors
The global competition fury between the United States’ automobile manufacturers and Asian-based industries rages enough without the recent concern over fuel 
efficiency and gas prices. Now statistics are showing that a race between automakers at home and abroad is being overtaken by economic common sense, replacing former priorities of luxury, design, and status. Of course gas costs have always been a factor in the competition but the world is at a place with oil that is unforgiving for America’s producers of gas guzzlers and fuel chuggers.
The wake up call is in the numbers. Americans are simply forced to be more economic with car choices and Asia provides more practicality in their design. While US auto makers are striving to hang in there by reporting intensive research on manufacturing large vehicles with better fuel economy, Asia has the vehicle market’s allegiance. In the meantime, if the top US auto makers can master the large consumer car that cuts back significantly on pump cost, then watch out Asia as America closes in.
See Also
California Blames The Automotive Industry
Concerned about pollution? Global decay? Environmental health? California is. But instead of taking the pick up litter, recycle, and enforce carpooling approach, the state of California turns to an unlikely industrial group claiming their major contribution to environmental decline. California is suing several auto manufacturers in an effort to increase the drive (no pun intended) toward less fuel emissions production.
It seems as though California has decided auto makers can pay for the damage done to the climate on their turf. Automotive Digest’s depiction of the situation suggests the lawsuit is more political than environmental, but it is doubtless a lawsuit that will have the auto industry wondering – can they really do that? For the industry’s sake and all of us bursting with curiousity over that very question, hopefully the answer will come sooner rather than later.
See Also
Automobile Manufacturers Take Their Chances
No one can argue that 2007 is a crucial year for the automotive world. Recent recalls, fuel crises, and desperate public relations incidences coming from some of the top vehicle makers has left the manufacturers 
struggling to make up for lost public loyalty. It’s going to be a year to watch what models make it and what manufacturers continue a downward decline.
The effects of 2007’s automobile manufacturing luck or lack thereof will also play a pivotal role in the warranty division of the sector. Factory warranties will be an incentive for car buyers, but will they be as thorough as other warranty providers are able to offer? As always with a fickle industry, one can only watch and see, and rely on the extended warranty services recommendes through reputation.
See Also
A South Carolina man whose vehicle was still under warranty said he was an able to get repairs done in a timely manner.
