An Act Concerning The Offering Price Of A Motor Vehicle.
Summary
HB 5641 would amend Connecticut’s motor vehicle dealer advertising and sales disclosure laws to require dealers to include in the advertised or disclosed vehicle price any additional fees or charges that the dealer requires the buyer to pay. The bill applies to pricing information communicated in advertisements, in communications with prospective buyers, and in the order and invoice for a vehicle purchase.
The bill also would prohibit dealers from making misleading statements about the offering price, financing terms, discounts or rebates, and whether a vehicle is actually available. Its stated purpose is to improve transparency in the offering price of a motor vehicle and reduce deceptive pricing practices in car sales.
Impact
The bill would change sections 14-62 and 14-62a of the Connecticut General Statutes by expanding required price disclosure and tightening restrictions on dealer communications. If enacted, it would affect motor vehicle dealers by limiting how they advertise prices and by requiring more complete upfront disclosure of mandatory charges, which could also benefit consumers comparing vehicle offers.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or formal support/opposition in the available materials. Based on the bill text, the measure appears consumer-protection oriented and aimed at increasing pricing transparency in auto sales, which typically draws favorable sentiment from consumer advocates and scrutiny from dealers concerned about compliance and advertising flexibility.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the scope of required price disclosure: dealers may object to having to fold mandatory fees into the advertised price and to restrictions on how they describe financing, discounts, rebates, and vehicle availability. Supporters would likely emphasize that the bill prevents bait-and-switch tactics and makes it easier for buyers to understand the true cost of a vehicle before visiting a dealership.