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Episode · Thursday, September 17, 2026 · 4:21

Diesel Record, FTC's Fine Print, Brampton's Next Move

Diesel sits at a record six dollars thirty-one cents a gallon this week, up seventy percent from a year ago, and Auto Remarketing says the run-up is pushing repossession agents toward the brink. The episode tracks affordability, inventory and used-vehicle demand across CBT News and Auto Remarketing, a JD Power study on infotainment complaints, and a Casa Auto Group rundown of AI results from Automotive Dive. On the governance side, the FTC has put its price-advertising warnings into formal guidance, NHTSA has proposed delaying some safety-rating tests, and the Canadian import ban tied to counter-tariffs gets a start date. Brampton's plant fight moves to Ottawa, and a Nebraska fraud case shows what the FTC's guidance is aimed at.

In this episode

Questions from this episode

How is the diesel price spike affecting vehicle repossessions?

The run-up in diesel prices is pushing repossession agents toward the breaking point, as fuel costs eat into the economics of every tow.

What did the FTC do about price advertising compliance for dealerships?

The Federal Trade Commission issued written guidance on price advertising compliance, putting in writing standards it had already flagged in earlier warnings, covering price, fees and add-on disclosure in every listing and paid ad.

What did NHTSA propose regarding safety-rating tests?

NHTSA has proposed delaying tests on some features that feed the New Car Assessment Program's ratings, meaning star-rating and safety claims in current dealer advertising may not update on the timeline previously expected.

Why is President Trump banning imports of certain Canadian goods?

President Trump will ban imports of certain Canadian goods, including motorcycles, later this month in response to counter-tariffs Canada imposed on September 8.

What is happening with the union at Stellantis' Brampton plant?

The union representing Stellantis' Brampton plant has appealed directly to Canada's government to stop the plant's sale.

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