Showing posts with label Unregulated Internet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Unregulated Internet. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Unregulated Internet Automobile Sales Are A Ticking Time Bomb

26 May 2010 11:18 Africa/Lagos


Unregulated Internet Automobile Sales Are A Ticking Time Bomb

Automotive Recyclers Association pushes lawmakers to close loopholes and to review outdated vehicle regulations.

MANASSAS, Va., May 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) is calling upon state lawmakers to review and update gaps in laws that allow: (1) vehicles to be sold and transferred without the proper paperwork; (2) allow total loss vehicles, vehicles damaged so severely that the cost of repairs and the salvage value combined exceed the current value of the vehicle, back on the road and (3) allow individuals to bypass important environmental regulations regarding the safe disposal of vehicles. Last year alone, some three million-plus total loss vehicles were sold at salvage pool auctions throughout the United States - many of which were sold to unregulated buyers via the Internet.


In a steep departure from past practices, these severely damaged motor vehicles are now electronically bypassing state laws and regulations. "Most of the safeguards in place across the country were instituted before the explosion of the Internet and don't take into account the ease and reliance of our society on Internet commerce. Every day in the United States, individuals and entities are using the Internet to bypass safety standards and circumventing state statutes designed to protect consumers and the environment," says Michael E. Wilson, Automotive Recyclers Association's Chief Executive Officer.


Terrorist networks and organized crime syndicates are exploiting loopholes to fund their criminal activities. In fact, many severely damaged total loss vehicles that are sold through salvage auctions are fetching huge sums because criminals merely want the VIN plate and paperwork that go with these vehicles. The purchasers can then use this information to cover up undamaged stolen vehicles by replacing the VINs and corresponding paperwork from the total loss vehicle -- securing tens of thousand of dollars in financial gain from the sales of clean stolen vehicles.


Based on press accounts, the Times Square bombing suspect Faisal Shahzad purchased the 1993 Nissan Pathfinder through a cash deal made on the popular consumer website Craigslist. No documents were exchanged and no vehicle registration was recorded. The $1,300 deal was finalized at a Connecticut shopping mall where the buyer handed over the money to the unsuspecting seller and drove off. Shahzad then destroyed one Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the Pathfinder, not realizing it had many others. This mistake gave investigators the ability to trace the car to the Connecticut seller. Shahzad also used a stolen license plate to drive the car into New York City.


"Loopholes like this result in the defrauding of consumers on motor vehicle sales and purchases, criminal activity of all sorts, and even the bypassing of safe environmental regulations regarding the disposal of retired vehicles. The Time Square bombing attempt should be a wake-up call to elected officials throughout the country to review motor vehicle sales statues," Wilson adds.


Ultimately, ARA will continue to advocate for the protection of the consumer and the automotive recycling industry from potential fraud and environmental hazards that modern technology and commerce opportunities have created, and also continue to highlight loopholes in outdated laws and regulations.


Established in 1943, the Automotive Recyclers Association ("ARA") represents an industry dedicated to the efficient removal and reuse of "green" automotive parts, and the proper recycling of inoperable motor vehicles. ARA represents over 4,500 auto recycling facilities in the United States and fourteen other countries around the world. With programs such as the Certified Automotive Recycler Program (CAR) and other partnerships, ARA members continue to provide consumers with quality, low cost alternatives for vehicle replacement parts, while preserving our environment for a "greener" tomorrow. To learn more about the Association, visit ARA online at www.a-r-a.org or call (571) 208-0428.


This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/.


Source: Automotive Recyclers Association

CONTACT: Anthony Livingston of Automotive Recyclers Association,
+1-571-208-0428, anthony@a-r-a.org


Web Site: http://www.a-r-a.org/


Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
26 May 2010
12:36
Mahindra Enters High Growth Electric Car Segment; Acquires Majority Stake in REVA
12:30
Azure Dynamics Receives 100 Unit Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric Walk in Van Order from Cintas Corporation
12:20
Mercedes-Benz Financial Expands Mobile Strategy to the Showroom Floor by Equipping Dealers with the Apple iPad(TM)
12:00
Fuel Discount Today: 85 Cents Off for 85 Minutes
12:00
CAR-Research XRM Releases Bundled-Apps Solution
12:00
A.M. Best Co. Awards A++ Superior Rating to Auto-Owners Insurance Company
11:18
Unregulated Internet Automobile Sales Are A Ticking Time Bomb
10:02
Frost & Sullivan Lauds Bowman Power for Its Development of an Innovative Yet Affordable Technology for the Automotive Powertrain Market
25 May 2010
22:09
Erie Insurance Earns Top J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Award Three Years in a Row
20:17
Don Graff Automotive Consulting Forges Alliance with HubSpot
19:43
La Embajada de la Republica Deportiva Chevrolet (The Embassy of the Sports Republic Chevrolet) Set to Roll Out
19:30
Biofuel Border Battle: Minnesota and Wisconsin Stations Offer Dueling Discounts on Cleaner-Burning E85 Fuel on May 27
18:53
From Rockets to Race Cars, NASA and NASCAR Team Up in Charlotte
18:33
Allstate Ratchets Up Washington Recruiting for Third Straight Year
17:08
Konecki Named New CATA Exec Vice President
17:01
Mark Wahlberg, Mario and Michael Andretti Team Up for First-Ever Indy 500 'IZOD Fastest Seat in Sports'
17:00
Dealix Releases Major Update to Award-Winning Hassle Free Lead Return Program
17:00
Cobalt Wins 2010 STAR Award for Best Value-Added Services
16:00
Feed My Starving Children, AIR-serv Join Forces to Save Hungry Kids
16:00
J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Importance of Price to Insurance Shoppers Lessens Compared With Overall Purchase Experience Satisfaction