The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the state of Connecticut have reached a significant settlement with Manchester City Nissan, resolving allegations of deceptive practices that included double-charging for certified pre-owned vehicles and unauthorized fees.

In January 2024, the FTC and Connecticut filed a lawsuit against Chase Nissan LLC, operating as Manchester City Nissan, along with its owners and managers, citing unlawful conduct at the dealership. The FTC emphasized the importance of price transparency in the auto marketplace, stating that it protects consumers and maintains competitive integrity.

According to the allegations, the dealership's own data revealed that customers were often charged thousands of dollars in unlawful fees. For instance, consumers were misled into paying for the certification of used cars that were already advertised as certified pre-owned. Additionally, other charges were frequently added to financing agreements without the consumers' knowledge or consent.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong criticized the dealership for exploiting customers through unauthorized fees and expressed satisfaction with the settlement, which aims to return millions to affected customers. The settlement requires Manchester City Nissan to pay $4 million for consumer redress and mandates clear disclosure of vehicle pricing, ensuring that consumers are informed about all charges before agreeing to them.

The FTC's commitment to enforcing fair practices in the marketplace is underscored by this settlement, which was approved by a 2-0 vote and filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. The stipulated final order will have the force of law once signed by the District Court judge.