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The government is finally getting involved in protecting consumers from bad titles, salvage or misrepresented history of vehicles. Hopefully they will cut down on the red tape for consumers to get out of bad car deals. — tonyz

DOJ Press Release letterhead

* FOR RELEASE
* 9 a.m. EDT, Monday, September 14, 2009
* WWW.OJP.USDOJ.GOV

* Office of Justice Programs
* Contact: Susan Oliver
* (202) 514-6929
* TDD (202) 514-1888

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ANNOUNCES $6.8 MILLION TO FUND ENHANCEMENTS TO NATIONAL MOTOR VEHICLE TITLE PROGRAM
vehiclehistory.gov Web Site Launched

WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice announced today more than $6.8 million was awarded to 12 states and to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) to protect consumers from vehicle fraud and unsafe vehicles.

The Fiscal Year 2009 funds will assist with implementation of the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), an electronic system launched for consumers in January 2009 that enables users to verify key automobile information. AAMVA received $5.7 million to fully implement NMVTIS and make necessary system enhancements and relieve states from any user fees for the system in 2010. The states of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Missouri, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Carolina received up to $100,000 each to assist with their participation in the system.

Consumers can access NMVTIS through www.vehiclehistory.gov and find information about a vehicle’s condition and history. For a nominal fee, they can retrieve the most recent odometer reading, title and brand history, nationwide salvage and total loss determination, and, in some cases, historical theft data.

NMVTIS also is the repository for the Department of Transportation’s “cash for clunkers” vehicles. Fulfilling a requirement of the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act of 2009 (CARS), junk and salvage yards receiving vehicles traded-in under the CARS Program report certain information about those vehicles to NMVTIS, thus reducing the possibility for them being illegally reintroduced into the economy. Consumers can identify “clunker” vehicles nationwide by searching the NMVTIS database.

This vehicle history database is the only one in the country to which every insurance carrier and junk and salvage yard are required by federal law to report all salvage and total loss vehicles. Since April 2009, more than 6,000 junk and salvage yards and insurance carriers have reported critical “total loss” and salvage information related to more than 5.5 million vehicles.

“The system, accessible through the vehiclehistory.gov website, assists consumers with making informed car buying decisions and protects them from purchasing unsafe vehicles. NMVTIS is the only system that all insurance carriers, junk yards and salvage yards are required to share information with, thereby protecting consumers and states.” said James H. Burch, II, Acting Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs.

Along with consumers, system users include state motor vehicle titling agencies, law enforcement officials, auto recyclers, salvage and junk yards, and insurance carriers. By capturing in one system specific pieces of information from state motor vehicle titling agencies, automobile recyclers, junk and salvage yards, and insurance carriers, NMVTIS protects states and consumers from fraud, keeps stolen vehicles from being retitled, and makes it more difficult for criminals to conceal stolen vehicles for criminal purposes.

Since 1997, the Justice Department has invested nearly $22 million to assist states and other stakeholders in protecting consumers by implementing NMVTIS. Currently, 28 state motor vehicle agencies participate or contribute to NMVTIS, and 11 others are working towards participation. All state motor vehicle administering agencies are required to be fully participating on or before January 1, 2010. Auto recyclers and insurance carriers nationwide are already participating in the system as required by federal law.
For more information about NMVTIS and a list of system providers, visit www.vehiclehistory.gov.

The Office of Justice Programs, headed by Acting Assistant Attorney General Laurie Robinson, provides federal leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist victims. OJP has five component bureaus: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; and the Office for Victims of Crime. Additionally, OJP has two program offices: the Community Capacity Development Office, which incorporates the Weed and Seed strategy, and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART). More information can be found at http://www.ojp.gov.
BJA09132

TonyZ Goverment News car buying, department of justice, fraud, goverment programs, law enforcement, registering, title, vehicle history, vehicle title

Clunkers

As cash for clunkers program is generating sales more automotive companies are boosting production. Customers have purchased so many Ford Focus and Escapes that the auto maker is boosting it’s 3rd quarter production by 10,000 units to keep up with the demand. This is great news for the economy and Ford as they announced it will produce 570,000 vehicles in the 4th quarter up 33% from a year ago. They will add production shifts and increase overtime at some of it’s plants.

JD powers also announced US auto sales could jump up by 15% to 11 million in 2010. All good news.

From the dealers point of view, cash for clunkers has generated more sales but the federal program does have some issues. First the government’s hot line has kept them on hold and now dealers are waiting again for their rebate checks to come as the government is failing to reimburse them within 10 days as required by law. Dealers say that payments are sitting in limbo. One mega-dealer in California says they have over 450 unpaid claims worth nearly 2 million dollars and is worried that the government will run out of money before they get paid. Dealers are angry, nervous and fed up with the program. Some are no longer participating in the program.

The government is asking customers to notify them of any dealers withholding delivery of vehicles until the rebate claims are approved. Some buyers report they are being forced to sign agreements to pay back the rebates if their claims are rejected.

It is unfortunate that the government did not adequately plan for the program and to properly handle claims in the 10 day period required by law. Why even write a law if you are not able to comply with it? What is the penalty? This program could put some dealers out of business if they do not receive their rebate checks. Just when it seems  momentum is growing the lack of the government being able to administer the program could back fire and actual cause more dealers to close their doors.

TonyZ Automotive News cash, clnkers, dealers, government, incentive, program

To-Do Number 1. REMEMBER WHO YOUR FRIENDS ARE. The insurance companies
are not working FOR you. They are working AGAINST you. This means that
anything you say to anyone may wind up costing you. Don’t make any
kind of a statement (especially a recorded statement) until after you
have consulted a lawyer.

To-Do Number 2. TAKE PICTURES OF YOUR BODY. The bruises from the
steering wheel and the shoulder harness will be gone in a few weeks. So
will the burns from the airbag. You will forget how bad they were, and
the insurance company will try to minimize them in front of the jury.
The ONLY way to have an accurate record is to get pictures now. Lots of
pictures. From every angle. In sunlight and artificial light. Then
get the film to your lawyer right away.

To-Do Number 3. TAKE PICTURES OF YOUR CAR. If it is a total loss,
then it will be gone soon. If it’s not totaled, it will be repaired.
You should take a full roll of film, making sure that you have pictures
from every angle, documenting how much damage was done by the impact.
(After all, if the impact can bend steel, imagine what it can do to
flesh and bone.)

To-Do Number 4. GET NAMES, ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS of everyone who
saw the accident or was present in your car. Get them to write out a
short narrative, including what everyone said after the accident. You
will be amazed how quickly memories fade.

To-Do Number 5. WRITE OUT YOUR OWN NARRATIVE about the accident, but
give it to NO ONE but your lawyer. Be sure to include all of your
injuries. You will probably become progressively more sore for a
period of three to five days after the crash. This is the normal way
that your body will react to the traumatic insult of a motor vehicle
crash.

To-Do Number 6. CONTACT AN EXPERIENCED INJURY LAWYER RIGHT AWAY.
Over the years, it has not been unusual for insurance companies to offer
settlement checks within a day after the accident. This is long before
you will even know how badly you are hurt. It often takes up to two
months before certain very serious injuries can even be diagnosed. If
you have taken the insurance company’s check for $2,000 on the second
day after the accident, you can NEVER GO BACK to get more compensation,
even if you find out that your injuries are permanent and disabling.

TonyZ General accidents, crash, insurance, insurance procedures

Here’s to the crazy ones!

Like this video says, sometimes it’s the crazy ones that make a difference. One thing we know is that we are crazy about cars, but we’re not too crazy about the typical car buying experience. So, as crazy as it sounds, we are on a mission to change that.

With your help we would like to tailor the process around your wants and needs. To accomplish this AutoButton is bringing together all manner of web based tools as well as good old face to face access to our expert staff in hopes of building a unique and trusted community centered around informed automotive purchasing.

Using this blog, and other social media tools, we will be bringing you relevant news and unique access to our staff. You will find us blogging, twittering, instant messaging, and discussing through news feeds as well as forums, all the items and topics that are important to you. The unique thing is that we are welcoming your input and views, which will be shared with the rest of our community. It’s not all about technology either, our staff has answers for many of your automotive questions and are more than happy to talk to you face to face or over the phone.

Are we crazy? Some people would say we are, but if it helps you with finding automotive products or a better car buying decision, then so be it, we’re here to make a difference!

TonyZ General car buying, different, online community, web tools

Daimler has just unveiled the F-CELL Roadster, the latest in their line of “F-Series” concept vehicles.

It’s a roadster fitted with a 1.2 kW hybrid drive – one that allows the F-CELL to reach a top speed of 15 mph and achieve an operating range of 217 miles. From a design standpoint, however, is where the F-CELL Roadster truly shines, as it manages to blend the overall aura of the original Benz patent motor car with seating and a fiberglass front section both drawn from elements of Formula One racing.

This looks truly versatile, with a top speed of 15MPH, you could hitch your horse to the back, and when it runs out of gas and electricity, you just hitch the horse to the front and off you go. No, really!

The more we seem to move forward the more things seem to look like the past. Back to the future! You can find more pics here.

TonyZ Automotive News concept, mercedes, retro, trends

Do you have a friend in the car business? If not, why not AutoButton.

Hi, I’m Tony Z founder of AutoButton. After being in the car business for almost 30 years I have experienced many things, good and bad.

So tell me your story. Be honest, tell it like is. I will share your comments with our hand selected AutoButton dealers and change the way you buy your next car. So, what would you change? Post your comments and we will use them to develop and refine our methods to meet or exceed your expectations. Thanks for your help! I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

TonyZ General customer stories, experiences, introduction