On The Dash:
- TrueCar says it will include mandatory dealer fees directly in advertised prices, exceeding FTC standards.
- In March, the FTC sent warning letters to nearly 100 dealer groups over deceptive pricing practices.
- CBT News is holding the Auto Leadership Summit: Fair Pricing and Compliance on June 16 in Washington, D.C.
Online car-buying platform TrueCar announced a series of product and policy updates designed to meet and exceed federal and state requirements for vehicle pricing transparency. The move makes it one of the first major automotive platforms to fold mandatory dealer fees directly into advertised prices.
The Santa Monica-based company said it will update its platform to include fees such as documentation and dealer preparation charges within the total price shown to consumers, going beyond current disclosure requirements. TrueCar also updated its Dealer Agreement to ensure listings comply with the FTC’s Truth in Advertising standards.
“TrueCar has always been built on price transparency; it is our founding principle,” said Scott Painter, founder and CEO of TrueCar, in a statement.
He added, “The FTC’s current enforcement validates that approach. Our commitment to dealers and customers is that every vehicle listing on TrueCar complies with, and in many cases exceeds, what federal and state authorities require.”
In March 2026, the FTC sent warning letters to 97 dealer groups, signaling increased scrutiny of automotive advertising and a willingness to pursue action against noncompliant pricing practices. The agency has identified incomplete pricing, misleading discounts, and unavailable inventory as priority enforcement areas.
“Regulators are making it clear that ambiguous pricing is no longer acceptable,” Painter said. “We are moving early to establish a standard that is not only compliant but clear and consistent for consumers and dealers alike.”
Separately, to address industry-wide issues from the FTC’s pricing policy, CBT News is hosting the Auto Leadership Summit on Fair Pricing and Compliance in Washington, D.C., on June 16.
The summit will give dealers and industry stakeholders a direct line to the people shaping that shift. The one-day event, held at the Salamander Hotel, will bring together dealers, legal experts, and elected officials, including Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno.
Session topics include an in-depth analysis of the FTC ruling, best practices for transparent pricing and consumer disclosure, compliance frameworks for advertising and dealership operations, and a legislative outlook from NADA policy advocates.
Registration is now open at cbtnews.com/auto-leadership-summit.
