General Motors Corp., American Honda Motor Co., Inc., American Isuzu Motors, Inc., Mazda Motor of America, Inc., and Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc., Analysis To Aid Public Comment

Résumé

In settlement of alleged violations of federal law prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts or practices and unfair methods of competition, these five consent agreements, accepted subject to final Commission approval, would require, among other things, five major automobile manufacturers to provide consumers with clear, readable, and understandable cost information in their car lease and financed purchase advertising. The agreements prohibit the manufacturers from featuring low monthly payments or low amounts ``down'' in large, bold print, while hiding additional costs and sometimes contradictory information in ``mouse print'' that is difficult or impossible to read.