http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-16634.pdf
SUMMARY: The FTC requests public comments on its Used Motor Vehicle Trade Regulation Rule.
DATES: Written comments relating to the Used Car Rule must be received by September 19, 2008.
I. Background
The Commission promulgated the Used Car Rule in 1984 and the Rule became effective in 1985.2 The Used Car Rule is intended primarily to prevent oral misrepresentations and unfair omissions of material facts by used car dealers concerning warranty coverage. \
To accomplish that goal, the Rule provides a uniform method for disclosing warranty information on a window sticker called the ‘‘Buyers Guide’’ that dealers are required to display on used cars. The Rule requires used car dealers to disclose on the Buyers Guide whether they are offering a used car for sale with a dealer’s warranty and, if so, the basic terms, including the duration of coverage, the percentage of total repair costs to be paid by the dealer, and the exact systems covered by the warranty.
The Rule additionally provides that the Buyers Guide disclosures are to be incorporated by reference into the sales contract, and are to govern in the event of an inconsistency between the Buyers Guide and the sales contract. The Rule requires Spanish language versions of the Buyers Guide when dealers conduct sales in Spanish.
III. Issues for Comment
The Commission requests written comment on any or all of the following questions. The Commission requests that responses to its questions be as specific as possible, including a reference to the question being answered, and reference to empirical data or other evidence wherever available and appropriate.
A. General Issues
(1) Is there a continuing need for the Rule? Why or why not?
(2) What benefits has the Rule provided to consumers? What evidence supports the asserted benefits?
(3) What modifications, if any, should be made to the Rule to increase its benefits to consumers?
0 F(a) What evidence supports the proposed modifications?
(b) How would these modifications affect the costs the Rule imposes on businesses, and in particular on small businesses?
(c) How would these modifications affect the benefits to consumers?
(4) What impact has the Rule had on the flow of truthful information to consumers and on the flow of deceptive information to consumers?
(5) What significant costs has the Rule imposed on consumers? What evidence supports the asserted costs?
(6) What modifications, if any, should be made to the Rule to reduce the costs imposed on consumers?
(a) What evidence supports the proposed modifications?
(b) How would these modifications affect the benefits provided by the Rule?
(7) How have the 1995 amendments to the Rule affected purchasers of used motor vehicles? How have the 1995 amendments to the Rule affected used motor vehicle dealers? Please provide any evidence that has become available since 1995 concerning the costs, benefits, and effectiveness of the Rule. Does this new information indicate that the Rule should be modified? If so, why, and how? If not, why not?
(8) What benefits, if any, has the Rule provided to businesses, and in particular to small businesses? What evidence supports the asserted benefits?
(9) What modifications, if any, should be made to the Rule to increase its benefits to businesses, and in particular to small businesses?
(a) What evidence supports the proposed modifications?
(b) How would these modifications affect the costs the Rule impose on businesses, and in particular on small businesses?
(c) How would these modifications affect the benefits to consumers?
(10) What significant costs, including costs of compliance, has the Rule imposed on businesses, and in particular on small businesses? What evidence supports the asserted costs?
(11) What modifications, if any, should be made to the Rule to reduce the costs imposed on businesses, and in particular on small businesses?
(a) What evidence supports the proposed modifications?
(b) How would these modifications affect the benefits provided by the Rule?
(12) What evidence is available concerning the degree of industry compliance with the Rule? To what extent has there been a reduction in deceptive oral representations and unfair omissions made by used car dealers concerning warranty coverage since the Rule was issued? Please provide any supporting evidence. Does this evidence indicate that the Rule should be modified? If so, why, and how? If not, why not?
(13) What modifications, if any, should be made to the Rule to account for changes in relevant technology or economic conditions? What evidence supports the proposed modifications?
(14) Does the Rule overlap or conflict with other federal, state, or local laws or regulations? If so, how?
(a) What evidence supports the asserted conflicts?
(b) With reference to the asserted conflicts, should the Rule be modified? If so, why, and how? If not, why not?
