On the Dash:

• Cox Automotive paused Good and Great price badges on Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book.
• The FTC warned 97 dealer groups in March that advertised prices must include all mandatory fees.
• TrueCar, Cars.com, and CarGurus have also updated their platforms in response to FTC pricing pressure.

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Cox Automotive has temporarily paused Good and Great price badges on Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book listings amid increased FTC enforcement activity around pricing transparency. As a result, the company also disabled Fair Market Range price badging inside vAuto’s vehicle workbook.

The changes took effect May 13, according to an internal notice sent to dealers. The pause was intended “to support a consistent experience across Cox Automotive solutions during a period of industry transition,” the notice stated.

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AutoTrader, Kelley Blue Book launch all-in price badge

The move follows the FTC’s March 13 warning letters to 97 auto dealership groups nationwide. Those letters told dealers that advertised prices must reflect the total price consumers are required to pay, including all mandatory fees.

Erin Lomax, VP of Operations, Consumer Marketplaces at Cox Automotive, confirmed the changes in a statement to CBT News.

“We support clear, transparent vehicle pricing and are monitoring the FTC’s guidance in this area,” Lomax said. “Dealers are responsible for the prices they advertise, including any mandatory fees.”

The company launched an all-in pricing badge to help consumers and dealers identify vehicles with fee-inclusive pricing.

“We are also continuing to evolve our Good Price/Great Price badging to reflect vehicles that meet transparent pricing standards,” Lomax said.

Lomax says Cox Automotive will continue engaging with dealers and industry stakeholders as FTC guidance develops.

Changes at other listing sites

Cox is not alone in retooling its platforms. TrueCar moved proactively to fold dealer fees into upfront pricing ahead of any enforcement action. 

Cars.com gave dealers the option in an April platform update to show customers a total price reflecting all dealer fees and charges, along with an itemization of those fees, Automotive News reported. 

CarGurus said in a statement it “moved immediately to enhance our industry-leading approach to price transparency” and built a feed-based tool dealers can use to itemize fees contributing to their all-in price, according to Automotive News..

CBT News summit to address pricing compliance

To address the issues surrounding the FTC’s pricing policy, CBT News will host the Auto Leadership Summit: Fair Pricing and Compliance on June 16 at the Salamander Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The one-day event will bring together dealers, legal and compliance experts, franchise association representatives, and elected officials, including Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno.

Session topics include an analysis of the FTC ruling, best practices for transparent pricing, compliance frameworks for dealership operations, and a legislative outlook from policy advocates.

Registration is open at cbtnews.com/auto-leadership-summit.