NEWARK
– Nissan North America, Inc. and
the Attorney General’s Office have
entered into an agreement whereby Nissan
will provide funding for consumer initiatives,
Acting Attorney General Nancy Kaplen and
Consumer Affairs Director Kimberly S.
Ricketts announced.
Former
Attorney General Peter C. Harvey filed
suit in March 2004 arising from thefts
of xenon headlights from 2002 and 2003
Nissan Maximas that occurred in New Jersey
between December 2002 and November 2003.
The lawsuit was subsequently dismissed
by the trial court, from which the Attorney
General’s Office has appealed. This
agreement also resolves the pending appeal.
Nissan will contribute $325,000 to fund
consumer initiatives by the New Jersey
Division of Consumer Affairs.
“This
is a fair resolution that takes into account
Nissan’s collaborative efforts to
resolve an issue of importance to its
customers,” said Assistant Attorney
General Michael A. Shipp. “The State
applauds Nissan North America’s
problem solving approach.”
Nissan
launched a “Xenon Headlight Theft
Deterrent and Police Support Program”
in November 2003. The company sent a letter
to approximately 37,000 owners and lessees
of 2002 and 2003 Maximas in the Northeast
region of the U.S. informing them of the
theft deterrent program. The theft deterrent
program included installation by Nissan
dealers, at Nissan’s expense, of
securing devices for the headlights as
well as “DataDots,” which
are microdots bearing a vehicle identification
number so police can link stolen headlights
to the car from which they came.
Nissan
also worked with law enforcement, including
the Newark Police Department, to address
the problem.
“Our
concern always is to ensure that New Jersey
consumers are treated fairly and honestly,”
said Consumer Affairs Director Ricketts.
“When we are dealing with a company
such as Nissan, which shares our concern
about customer treatment and satisfaction,
it is much easier to reach a cooperative
solution.”
Deputy
Attorney General Lorraine K. Rak, Chief
of the Consumer Fraud Prosecution Section
of the Division of Law, represented the
Attorney General in this matter.
