March 7, 2025

In the fast-paced world of automotive retail, deal jacket audits are becoming increasingly important for dealerships looking to stay compliant and avoid regulatory and consumer risks. This article examines why these audits matter, the challenges dealerships encounter in conducting them effectively and recent regulatory actions highlighting their significance.

Every year, around this time, we review the top 10 most common wage and hour violations from the last year. The Christmas season may be over, but employers could still end up with coal in their stockings. That is because the stakes for noncompliance with state and federal wage and hour laws are higher than ever. Employers need to be aware of these common violations to stay in compliance and avoid disruptive wage claims, as well as expensive civil penalties and wage adjustment orders from the Department of Labor.

When cold weather sets in, service departments close their garage doors. This has an immediate impact on the air quality in the shop, which can lead to service technician complaints centered on inadequate shop ventilation. Vehicle exhaust is loaded with thousands of contaminants resulting from the incomplete combustion of fuel. The primary culprit and largest component of exhaust that threatens employee health is carbon monoxide.

Auto dealerships are increasingly becoming targets of sophisticated email scams designed to exploit routine financial processes. One such incident, recently thwarted by a vigilant dealership, serves as an important reminder to stay alert and implement best practices to avoid falling victim to fraud.

Join us for an unforgettable evening at NHADA Casino Night! Mark your calendar for this year’s annual convention on Friday, June 13, at the AC Hotel in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This one-night-only event is sure to sell out, so book your room now! 

The unexpected inclement weather didn’t stop this year’s TIME Dealer of the Year Nominee from attending this year’s NADA Show. Among 48 other nominees, Dan Dagesse, co-owner and chairman of Nucar Automall of Tilton, was acknowledged for his charitable giving, donating millions of dollars to various organizations. He has paid partial tuition for college students; stocked local food banks; renovated an ice rink; and supported White Mountains Community College; Boys & Girls Club of the Lakes Region; Granite United Way; Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of New Hampshire; and many others.

In a 2-1 vote, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a petition filed by NADA and the Texas Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) to vacate the FTC Vehicle Shopping Rule (CARS Rule) for violating the FTC’s own procedural requirements for issuing trade regulation rules. More specifically, the court held that the FTC skipped an essential step to inform the rulemaking process requiring it to begin with an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. As a consequence, the FTC Vehicle Shopping Rule has no force or effect.

Above (L-R): Tim Foss, Foss Motors; Adam Enxing, Volvo Cars of Exeter; Doug Miles; Chris Lane, McFarland Ford; Dan Enxing, Volvo Cars of Exeter; Larry Foss, Foss Motors; Darren Coute, Exeter Subaru; Mike Doucette, NH Driver Ed. Teachers Association; Scott Rogers, Thin Blue Line Driving School; Dan Bennett, NHADA; John Marasco, NH DMV; Janet Bouchard,