Privacy Policy

Last Updated: April 17, 2025

NOTICE: This Privacy Policy contains an agreement to arbitrate disputes and a class action waiver.

Introduction

Audi Ann Arbor (“Dealership,” “we,” or “us”) respects your privacy and the information you entrust to us. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and disclose information when you visit our dealership(s), use our website(s) (“Sites”), or access our products and services (“Services”).

This policy applies to all users, including consumers who apply for or receive financing. If you become an inactive customer, or if we close or suspend your account, we will continue to honor this policy for retained data. We may delete your data at any time unless legally required to retain it.

Section 1 - Consumer Privacy Disclosures

Notice of Collection

We collect categories of personal information for the following purposes:

• Age and Veteran Status (e.g., for rebates or Military Lending Act)
• Audio/Video/Electronic Data (e.g., chat transcripts, voicemails)
• Commercial Information (e.g., vehicles/services purchased or considered)
• Customer Records (e.g., digital signatures, insurance info, financial data)
• Education (e.g., for student rebates)
• Geolocation Data (non-precise)
• Identifiers (e.g., name, address, email, driver’s license, IP)
• Inferences (e.g., vehicle preferences, purchasing behavior)
• Internet Activity (e.g., website usage)
• Professional information (e.g., employment history)

We also collect and may process sensitive data, including:

• Government-issued IDs
• Payment and credit information
• Race, ethnicity, religion (in employment contexts)
• Sexual orientation, gender identity (if disclosed in credit applications)
• Citizenship or immigration status
• Communication content
• Geolocation data
• All with your consent

We do not sell this information, nor do we share it for cross-context behavioral advertising without your permission.

Business Uses of Personal Information

We use personal data for:

• Marketing and advertising
• Behavioral ad targeting (via first-party cookies)
• Website analytics
• Customer service and quality assurance
• Legal compliance and dispute resolution
• Fraud prevention
• Transaction processing
• Financing services
• Employment administration (if applicable)

Data Sources and Disclosures

We may collect personal data from:

• You directly (via forms, transactions, or chats)
• Credit agencies (e.g., Experian, TransUnion)
• Insurance providers
• Government agencies (e.g., DMV)
• Analytics firms and advertising networks
• Online lead providers
• Vehicle manufacturers
• Social media platforms
• Tow companies

We may share this data with:

• Financial institutions
• Legal advisors and service providers
• CRM and analytics platforms
• Marketing vendors
• Repair shops and parts vendors
• Vehicle OEMs
• Reputation management firms

Consumer Rights

You may have the right to:

1. Opt-Out of Data Sharing

Submit a request to stop the sale or sharing of your personal data.

1. Know What We Collect

Request a list of the categories and sources of personal data collected.

1. Request Deletion

Ask for your data to be deleted, unless we are legally required to keep it.

1. Request Access or Portability
   

Obtain a copy of the data we hold about you.

Submitting a Request

Due to current technical limitations, we process requests manually.

Please email: privacy@germaincars.com

You will be required to verify your identity through a combination of methods such as email verification and interaction-based questions.

Section 2 – Other Important Privacy Disclosures

Consent & Policy Revisions

By using our Sites or Services, you consent to this Privacy Policy. We may revise this policy at any time by updating the “Last Updated” date. Continued use of the Sites after changes means you agree to the revised policy.

Anonymous Data & Analytics

We collect anonymized data (e.g., site usage) via tools like Google Analytics. If cookies are accepted, this anonymous data may be connected to your identity.

Do Not Track / Global Privacy Control

We honor “Do Not Track” and Global Privacy Control signals. These override cookie settings on our Sites. You can enable GPC through your browser or extension.

Third-Party Links

This policy does not apply to websites linked from our Sites. Please review the privacy policies of those third parties directly.

Security

We use reasonable safeguards to protect your information. However, internet transmission is not completely secure. You agree to electronic notifications in case of a security breach. Only authorized personnel may access your information.

Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, sale, or acquisition, your data may be transferred. It will remain protected under this Privacy Policy or a similar one.

Chat Modules & Session Replay

Our chat features and session replay tools may collect:

• Name, email, phone number, and address
• Click behavior, page views, and form inputs
• Interaction transcripts

By using these tools, you consent to this data collection and analysis. This is performed by us or third-party vendors on our behalf.

Children’s Privacy

We do not knowingly collect data from individuals under 13. Please do not provide information if you are under this age.

Cookies and Tracking

We use:

• Essential Cookies (for functionality and legal compliance)
• Functional Cookies (e.g., for chat tools, calculators)
• Analytics Cookies (to measure user engagement)
• Targeting Cookies (for advertising, including retargeting)

Cookie management is supported through our consent banner (powered by ComplyAuto), browser settings, and GPC/DNT tools.

Dispute Resolution, Arbitration Agreement & Class Action Waiver

Informal Dispute Resolution

If you have a dispute, both you and we agree to try resolving it informally within 30 days of written notice.

Send notices to:

ATTN: 4250 Morse Crossing, Columbus, OH 43219

Email: privacy@germaincars.com

Arbitration Agreement

Unresolved disputes will be decided by binding arbitration under the Federal Arbitration Act. A neutral arbitrator will decide the matter (not a judge or jury), using the AAA Consumer Arbitration Rules. See www.adr.org/rules for details.

This does not apply to claims within small claims court jurisdiction.

Class Action Waiver

Disputes will be handled individually. You and we agree not to participate in any class action or representative proceeding.

Conflicting Agreements

If another agreement (e.g., in a vehicle purchase or lease) contains its own arbitration clause, that clause will govern.

Governing Law

This policy is governed by the laws of Ohio. Any disputes not subject to arbitration will be handled in Ohio courts.

Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this policy, please contact:

📧 privacy@germaincars.com