Free Republic

BISMARCK, N.D. -- Raymon Holmberg didn't know his new sedan came equipped with the long arm of the law. The dealer hadn't bothered to mention the "black box," a computer chip that stores information on speed and seat belt use. "When I bought my car," he said, "I didn't realize I was also buying a highway patrolman to sit in the back seat." Holmberg, a state senator, believes his privacy was violated and is taking aim at black boxes. Lawmakers in 10 other states are also hoping to regulate black boxes, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

In a bid to boost flagging auto sales, the federal government will pay for any warranty repairs on a General Motors or Chrysler vehicle if either company can't because of financial problems or a bankruptcy filing, President Barack Obama said on Monday. "Let me say this as plainly as I can. If you buy a car from Chrysler or General Motors, you will be able to get your car serviced and repaired just like always," Obama said in a speech. "Your warranty will be safe. In fact, it will be safer than it has ever been. Because starting today, the...

A federal judge has issued a pair of temporary restraining orders to halt what officials describe as a wave of "robo-calls" warning people their auto warranties are expiring and offering new service plans. U.S. District Judge John F. Grady issued a temporary restraining order against Transcontinental Warranty Inc. on Thursday and one against Voice Touch Inc. on Friday. The Federal Trade Commission filed suit against the companies in U.S. District Court in Chicago on Thursday. Chairman Jon Leibowitz says the FTC "has disconnected the people responsible for so many of these annoying calls." Officials say Americans have gotten as many...

WASHINGTON -- Nobody is buying stock in the Ameri can auto companies. Except, that is, for President Obama. And he just bought a couple of the world's largest automakers. With your money, naturally. Now, Obama may not hold an official certificate showing that he owns Chrysler and General Motors, but he owns them just the same. That's right, forget all the lofty rhetorical idealism of the Obama campaign and all the talk of hope and change. What America really needs in these tough times is a new Used Car Dealer-in-Chief! And that's just what we got from the Grand Foyer...

DETROIT --- DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group on Thursday launched a lifetime warranty on major "powertrain" vehicle components, such as engines and transmissions, as it seeks to give consumers another reason to visit its showrooms. Chrysler Sales Chief Steven Landry said during a conference call that the warranty is an "unprecedented" offer in the industry and it promises to "raise the consideration" of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles in the marketplace. Mr. Landry said the offer could eventually allow Chrysler to lessen its reliance on high-dollar discounts and rebates as a way to lure new buyers. "We don't want to match...

An argument about a 20-year-old military contract with Venezuela erupted this week after President Hugo Chavez said on Tuesday he might turn some U.S.-made F-16 fighter planes over to Cuba or China. Chavez says the Pentagon won't sell spare parts or provide maintenance for 22 jets Venezuela purchased in the early 1980s. When you buy weapons from the United States, do you get a service contract? In most cases, yes. The sale of fighter jets can be negotiated in one of two ways: Either the buyer country works out a deal with a U.S. contractor (with State Department and Pentagon...