Aug. 11, 2008 at 9:25am

Car dealer responds to AG claims

McCann Motors, a Cadillac, Hummer and Saab automotive dealer based in Fife, took steps to clarify statements made in a Washington State Attorney General announcement about an investigation regarding cars it bought at auction after they were flagged as having possible defects. The state charged that the dealership sold the cars without providing all of the disclosure documentation required by state law. 

"There is nothing more important to our dealership than the trust we have built with our customers," said McCann Motors President Melaine McCann. "We want to clarify that every customer who purchased one of these vehicles was fully informed of their vehicle's history, and acknowledged their awareness in writing prior to purchase."

McCann Motors officials say they fully cooperated with the investigation. The issue involved  79 cars that were bought in California and resold in Washington.

"We are concerned that statements made in the news release may be misinterpreted to suggest that our customers were unaware of their vehicle's history prior to purchase," the McCann statement read.

State attorneys and dealership officials reached a settlement late last week in which the dealership agreed to contact the buyers and offer to work out a suitable resolution. The dealership also agreed to pay $12,000 in fees. The state's complaint and settlement were filed in Pierce County Superior Court. McCann didn't admit any wrongdoing.

While the buyers of these cars signed paperwork that includes notices that the cars had been repurchased under a California Lemon buyback law, the extent of the notification reportedly did not include special disclosures required under Washington law.

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