Action 9's investigation into used car dealership expands

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Action 9 first reported last month Auto House sold Nissan Altimas and a Ram pickup truck that were mislabeled.

They had emblems making them look like more expensive models than they really were.

Action 9 has now learned the dealership sold another type of vehicle that was mislabeled, a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado LS. It was labeled a Texas Edition, but it wasn't. In fact, in 2010, Chevrolet didn't even make a Silverado LS Texas Edition.

Angela Brotherton bought the vehicle from Auto House last summer. Then, last month, she saw Action 9's reports on Auto House and decided to check her truck's vehicle identification number. That's when she found her truck is not a Texas Edition.

"I trusted the people," she said. "I just feel like a moron. I feel like I should have 'stupid' tattooed on my head."

She says she paid $24,000 for it. That would mean she overpaid $4,000, based on Kelley Blue Book value.

"It's very upsetting. Very," she said.

Brotherton said she called Auto House to complain. She said the employee she spoke with didn't explain why the vehicle had Texas Edition on it but that he told her, "If you can bring the truck and come up here, before I let you off of my lot, you will be satisfied.'"

She says she told him no.

Auto House's lawyer said Auto House bought the truck that way and did not mislabel it.

You may remember Eddie Lowery, Philip Helms, and Theresa Darnell.

They said Auto House sold them mislabeled Altimas.

Crystal Moore said the business sold her two mislabeled vehicles: an Altima and a Ram pickup. Since Action 9 first started investigating Auto House, North Carolina's attorney general and Department of Motor Vehicles launched their own investigations.

Earlier this month, armed DMV agents spent hours at both Auto House locations and then left with boxes and computer equipment.

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