Auto Dealer Insurance Coverage: Are You Protected?
Running a dealership means operating in a high-risk environment every single day. Valuable inventory sits on your lot, customers take test drives, employees handle sales and service, and regulations keep shifting under your feet. Understanding and maintaining adequate insurance coverage isn’t just a best practice. It’s a critical piece of sound business risk management and […]
Dealer Compliance: Two Costly Mistakes That Are Easy to Overlook
As vehicle prices continue to climb and dealership operations become increasingly digital, compliance challenges are evolving just as quickly. At Charapp & Weiss, LLP, we regularly counsel dealerships on navigating these changing legal and operational risks. Practices that may have been acceptable—or simply uncommon—a few years ago can now create significant legal and financial exposure, […]
Franchisor Audits and Spot Deliveries: Two Areas Dealers Cannot Afford to Overlook
Automobile dealers operate in an increasingly complex regulatory and operational environment, and Charapp & Weiss regularly counsels dealerships navigating two areas that continue to generate significant legal and financial exposure: franchisor audits and spot deliveries. Both issues can directly affect profitability, customer relations, and compliance risk—and both require dealers to approach their processes with preparation, […]
Why Advertising Compliance Can No Longer Wait
On March 13, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent warning letters to 97 auto dealerships regarding their advertising and sales practices. While the letters were directed at a specific group, the message was unmistakably broader: every dealership should view this as a regulatory turning point. For dealers, this is not just another compliance update—it […]
Supreme Court Strikes Down IEEPA Tariffs—But Auto Dealers Shouldn’t Expect Relief
On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a major decision limiting presidential tariff authority. In a 6-3 ruling, the Court held that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize the president to impose tariffs. At first glance, the ruling appears significant for the automotive industry, which has been navigating rising […]
2026 Dealer Legal & Compliance Priorities
A new year rarely brings “new” issues for dealers—it brings familiar ones with higher stakes. Regulators keep looking at advertising, fees, and data protection. Employment claims remain a volume business for plaintiffs’ firms. OEM demands get bolder. The dealerships that do best in this environment are the ones that treat compliance and documentation as a […]
Time for a Self-Audit: How Dealers Can Reduce the Risk of Employee Lawsuits
Personnel lawsuits have become big business for plaintiffs’ attorneys—and a costly hazard for automotive dealers. From wrongful termination to discrimination claims, litigation can quickly escalate, especially when federal agencies like the EEOC become involved. For dealers, the best defense is proactive hiring and tracking systems. Now is the time to conduct a self-audit of your […]
Avoiding Pitfalls in Supplier Agreements
At Charapp & Weiss, we regularly counsel dealers on the hidden risks in supplier agreements—and for good reason. In today’s highly competitive retail automotive environment, dealerships must leverage their buying power wisely. Yet many dealers sign form contracts without fully understanding the legal obligations embedded in the fine print—terms that could cost significantly more than […]
Succession Planning & Selling Your Dealership
At Charapp & Weiss, LLP, we know that dealership owners face a critical question: what happens if I’m no longer here to run the business? Whether you’re building a long-term legacy or preparing for a sale, planning ahead is not just smart—it’s essential. Recent changes in manufacturer agreements and increasing attention from lenders make it […]
Staying Compliant and Secure: What Dealerships Need to Know About Privacy, Cybersecurity & AI
In the fast-evolving world of automotive retail, dealerships face increasing pressure to meet regulatory expectations and protect sensitive data. As vehicles become more connected and reliant on artificial intelligence (AI), the risks tied to data breaches and cybersecurity failures grow more serious—and more costly. For dealerships, the message is clear: compliance is not a one-and-done […]