Nissan to Keep Closer Tabs on Dealerships in 2021, Retailers Annoyed

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

After enduring a series of rough years resulting in some unsettling financial reports, Nissan is doing its utmost to turn things around. Following its first annual loss in 11 years, the company announced a plan that would include cutting 20 percent of its global lineup to make way for newer models, eliminating unnecessary production capacity, and cutting corners (and jobs) just about everywhere in order to save $2.8 billion off of fixed costs. This is also being done to make way for a leaner, meaner Nissan, and make room for newer vehicles it believes will be essential to remain competitive.

It’s also hoping to spruce up dealerships to make them more desirable locales for customers ready to do their business. That includes an increased number of factory audits moving into 2021 — partly as a way to make up for the limited number that were conducted this year thanks to the pandemic and partly as a way to make sure nobody is doing anything financially untoward. But there are some concerns among owners that Nissan may end up bullying shops unnecessarily.

In a normal year, automakers typically audit around 3 percent of its dealer network. But a retailer who was briefed by the automaker recently told Automotive News Nissan would be checking around 10 percent of its dealerships next year. While a company spokesman has confirmed that the automaker would be increasing the amount of audits in 2021, he declined to give a specific number — noting that Nissan’s validity checks on warranty claims were already below the industry average and should be remedied.

There are claims that it has been ramping up factory audits already, however. Nissan’s National Dealer Advisory Board has received complaints from members stating that they’ve been issued demands from the manufacturer to repay amounts of up to $140,000. Many have also said the audits are not triggered by suspicious sales or warranty claim activity and appear predatory in nature.

From Automotive News:

The clawback unfolds as parent company Nissan Motor Co. of Yokohama, Japan, is in financial turmoil. The company has forecast an operating loss of $4.5 billion for the fiscal year, ending March 31, 2021. Nissan executives are scrambling to find ways to tighten up company finances.

“Nissan has lost more money than they’ve ever lost in 20 years,” said one dealer who said he was recently charged back about $60,000 in warranty claims. “It’s an easy way for them to get cash.”

Some of the dealers, who spoke with Automotive News on condition that they not be identified, said the new audits are tending toward nitpicking, calling for repayment for infractions such as incomplete paperwork.

“They certainly don’t seem to be accommodating with a reasonable man’s approach to doing a warranty audit at a dealership,” said one retailer, who is facing a $40,000 chargeback. “Typically, warranty audits are looking for fraud. They’re not looking for ‘Did you time-punch everything to perfection?’?”

To its credit, Nissan has recently upgraded dealer education protocols to help employees avoid minor infractions or major safety violations that could result in a fine. But dealers continue to suggest recent audits aren’t based on concerning warranty claims, safety concerns, or evidence of fraud — with some claiming the factory is abusing the system to find excuses to fine their shop. Nissan said a lot of checks are made at random but that it will also look into any retailer with suspect paperwork or a string of customer complaints.

The truth of the matter probably lies in the automaker having a real desire to make sure dealerships are in tip-top shape, with the ability to pad its revenue via audits being an added bonus. This has not stopped shop owners from accusing Nissan of taking advantage, however, and plenty intend on using the law to combat fines. Dealer attorney Richard Sox, managing partner at Bass Sox Mercer of Tallahassee, FL, told AN such practices can become revenue centers for automakers in their times of need.

“It’s a tremendous transfer of wealth from dealers to the manufacturer,” he said. “Auditors have admitted their instructions are to make sure they pay for themselves in regards to their findings. So they have to dig things up.”

[Image: FotograFFF/Shutterstock]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • Inside Looking Out Inside Looking Out on Oct 12, 2020

    I never considered Nissan but assumed that dealers will honor warranty. Now I has doubts about it. Who will make repairs under warranty if dealers are disincentivized to do that?

  • Jeff S Jeff S on Oct 15, 2020

    Just another reason to not buy a Nissan besides Jatco transmissions and declining quality.

  • Dartdude The bottom line is that in the new America coming the elites don't want you and me to own cars. They are going to make building cars so expensive that the will only be for the very rich and connected. You will eat bugs and ride the bus and live in a 500sq-ft. apartment and like it. HUD wants to quit giving federal for any development for single family homes and don't be surprised that FHA aren't going to give loans for single family homes in the very near future.
  • Ravenuer The rear view of the Eldo coupe makes it look fat!
  • FreedMike This is before Cadillac styling went full scale nutty...and not particularly attractive, in my opinion.
  • JTiberius1701 Middle of April here in NE Ohio. And that can still be shaky. Also on my Fiesta ST, I use Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires for the winter and Bridgestone Potenza for my summer tires. No issues at all.
  • TCowner We've had a 64.5 Mustang in the family for the past 40 years. It is all original, Rangoon Red coupe with 289 (one of the first instead of the 260), Rally Pac, 4-speed, factory air, every option. Always gets smiles and thumbs ups.
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