Konkurencja i konsument · 11/04/1997

General Motors Corporation; Prohibited Trade Practices, and Affirmative Corrective Actions

In settlement of alleged violations of federal law prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts or practices and unfair methods of competition, this consent order prohibits, among other things, a Michigan-based automobile manufacturer from misrepresenting the total amount due at lease inception, requires the manufacturer to provide consumers with clear, readable, and understandable cost information in their car lease and financed purchase advertising, requires advertisements that reference an initial payment or state that no initial payment is due to clearly and conspicuously disclose, as applicable, that the deal is a lease, and to disclose the fact that an extra charge may be imposed at the end of the lease based on the residual value of the car. The consent order also prohibits the respondent from misrepresenting the existence or amount of any balloon payment or the annual percentage rate for advertised loans.