NJ dealers sold rentals, company cars without disclosure, state says

Four New Jersey auto dealerships have agreed to pay the state $175,000 and change their business practices to settle a lawsuit alleging they didn't tell customers about previous damage, or that cars for sale came from rental or business fleets.

The agreement ends a lawsuit brought by the state in 2009 saying the dealerships broke the state's consumer fraud law and motor vehicle advertising rules. The dealerships admit no wrongdoing as part of the terms.

The four dealerships are: Sansone Ford Lincoln Mercury and Sanson Dodge, both in Ocean Township, and Sanson Chevrolet and Sansone's, both in Avenel. The parent companies of the dealerships are Fords National Auto Mart Inc., Sansone Plaza Dodge Inc., Paladin Chevrolet and Sansone Management Corp., respectively.