Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we and our dealerships are involved and will continue to be involved in various claims relating to, and arising out of, our business and our operations. These claims may involve, but are not limited to, financial and other audits by vehicle manufacturers or lenders, and certain federal, state, and local government authorities, which relate primarily to (i) incentive and warranty payments received from vehicle manufacturers, or allegations of violations of manufacturer agreements or policies, (ii) compliance with lender rules and covenants and (iii) payments made to government authorities relating to federal, state, and local taxes, as well as compliance with other government regulations. Claims may also arise through litigation, government proceedings, and other dispute resolution processes. Such claims, including class actions, can relate to, but are not limited to, the practice of charging administrative fees, employment-related matters, truth-in-lending practices, contractual disputes, actions brought by governmental authorities, and other matters. We evaluate pending and threatened claims and establish loss contingency reserves based upon outcomes we currently believe to be probable and reasonably estimable. We do not believe that the ultimate resolution of the claims we are involved in will have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flow and prospects.
On August 3, 2022, we received a Civil Investigative Demand ("CID") from the Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") requesting information and documents concerning the Company’s corporate structure and operation of six of its dealerships. We responded to the CID by producing information and documents for the period August 1, 2019 to April 24, 2023. On February 8, 2024, the FTC staff counsel sent to us a proposed consent order and draft complaint, alleging that the Company and
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three of our dealerships had violated Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act ("FTC Act") and certain provisions of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act ("ECOA") in connection with the sale of add-on products (e.g., vehicle service contracts, maintenance plans, etc.), and advising that it would recommend the filing of an enforcement action if the Company did not settle the FTC’s claims. The Company vigorously disputed, and continues to vigorously dispute, the FTC’s allegations that it violated the FTC Act and the ECOA. As a result, on August 16, 2024, the FTC initiated an administrative proceeding by filing an enforcement action against the Company; David McDavid Honda Frisco, David McDavid Honda Irving, and David McDavid Ford Fort Worth, three of the Company’s dealerships; and an individual general manager at one of the dealerships pursuant to the allegations set forth above. On October 4, 2024, the Company filed a lawsuit against the FTC in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, seeking to enjoin the FTC’s administrative proceeding on the ground that the administrative proceeding was unconstitutional. Among other things, the Company’s lawsuit asserts that the FTC’s administrative proceeding violates Asbury’s constitutional rights by denying it the right to a jury trial and by allowing the FTC to serve as both prosecutor and judge in the same proceeding. The Company’s lawsuit also contends that FTC commissioners and in-house administrative law judges are effectively insulated from removal by the President in contravention of the Constitution’s requirements. At this time, we are unable to reasonably predict the possible outcome of the Company’s dispute with the FTC, or provide a reasonably possible range of loss, if any. There can be no assurance that the Company will succeed in either the FTC’s administrative proceeding against the Company or in the Company’s lawsuit against the FTC, and the FTC’s allegations, whether meritorious or not, may adversely affect our ability to attract customers, result in the loss of existing customers, harm our reputation and cause us to incur defense costs and other expenses.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
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PART II