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January 2, 2012
www.usedcarnews.com
Shopper Sues Store over Strange Smell By David Piestrzynski
A bizarre lawsuit is causing a real “stink” for Suburban Ford in Sterling Heights, Mich. Margarita Salais purchased a 2006 Ford Expedition from the dealership in December 2010. Three months later, Salais claims she began to notice a strange, powerful odor in the vehicle. She brought the car back to the dealership, and claims she was told the smell came from a dead animal. Salais wasn’t happy with that explanation and sought an investigation into the vehicle’s history through her insurance provider. Salais makes the disturbing claim that the investigation found the odor was of human origin. She said the car had been stolen multiple times, and had been used as a rental car. Salais claims she was not informed of these facts about the car’s history. She filed a lawsuit against
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Suburban Ford and the credit union that financed the deal. The dealership ran its own investigation into the vehicle at that point. Jim Elder, Suburban Ford’s general manager, said a Carfax report showed no thefts in the car’s history. Elder also said the dealership hired its own hazmat specialist to investigate the car, and the findings were that it was highly unlikely the smell’s origin came from human remains. “It was most likely a dead animal, or something (Salais) spilled in the car,” he said. Elder said staff never reported a smell during the three months the car sat on Suburban Ford’s lot. He said it’s strange that a smell would mysteriously surface after six months, especially one that strong. “The smell was very rank,” he said. “It was strong when you got within 10 feet of the vehicle.” According to the dealership, Salais put 8,000 miles on the car in three months. “Ultimately, I think they just didn’t want to make the payments,” Elder said. While Elder said the customer’s story is shaky, the dealership plans on buying back the vehicle. Elder said further negative attention in the media is something the dealership wants to avoid. But protecting the dealership’s reputation isn’t the only motivation for Suburban Ford to buy back the vehicle. “We also want to analyze the car,” Elder said.
WHAT’S THAT SMELL?: A Michigan consumersued a Ford dealership overa horrible odorin a used Expedition.
Dealer Expands Despite Slow Sales
Sometimes a dealer needs to take an opportunity even if it comes at the wrong time. Adrian Durham has operated Durham’s Auto Mart for 40 years. The last few have been rough with lower sales due to the downturn. Still, when he had the chance to move his operation to a facility five times the size of his existing store, Durham took it. Both of Durham’s stores are located on the same road in Durham, N.C. They are actually right across from each other. The new location was a new-car store for many years. When the previous owners felt they couldn’t tough out the downturn, Durham made his move. He needed a bigger facility. Auto Mart was stuffing more than 100 units onto a halfacre site. Durham is excited about the increased space and hopes the bigger lot draws more customers. He also hopes to make money servicing cars now that he has the bays. Finding cars for the larger store is proving a challenge, Durham said. Part of that is because he offers such a wide variety. “If we can sell them, anybody can sell them” he said.
IN THIS ISSUE • Vehicles today are safer than they’ve ever been. – Page 3
• Experts expect a smoother ride in the upcoming year. – Page 8
• Pair recognized for running a quality dealership. – Page 5
• New finance regulator may grow more active. – Page 10