A May 12, 2008 article in Automotive News titled "Factories punish rogue exporters: U.S. dealerships reap big gray-market profits" included a comment from Venable automotive industry group chair Aaron Jacoby.
According to the article, the weak dollar makes U.S. goods a bargain, and automakers are cracking down on U.S. dealers who are exporting a growing number of new cars and trucks to foreign customers on the gray market. In some cases, though, dealers say they're unwitting and unwilling participants who have no idea the vehicles they sell are going overseas.
Last year, a Nevada exporter sued Mercedes-Benz of Laguna Niguel in Southern California over a similar contract with a $7,500 charge per export. Aaron Jacoby, who represented the dealership, says an out-of-court settlement favored his client.