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On October 26, 2026, Cox Automotive confirmed that it found and contained “suspicious activity” on VinSolutions, the customer relationship management (CRM) system that about 7,000 dealerships use to track leads, deals and customers. Cox said the activity “did not involve any encrypting malware,” did not stop dealers from using the system, and touched no other Cox product. It said a limited subset of VinSolutions dealers was affected, that outside cyber experts are working out what data was involved, and that it will notify affected parties directly.

Cox has not said how many dealers or customers are affected or what kind of information was taken.

MEMORANDUM

To: Licensed Utah Vehicle Dealers

From: Utah State Tax Commission

Date: October 20, 2026

Subject: Important Policy Regarding Kentucky Red Titles and Proof of Ownership.

The purpose of this memorandum is to advise licensed Utah dealers of a critical policy clarification regarding the acceptance of certain vehicle titles originating from Kentucky.

What Utah dealers need to know about prices, promotions, dealership signs, and sales statements that goes into effect December 2nd.

A vehicle’s advertised price should give a customer a clear understanding of what the dealer will charge. That principle is central to Utah’s revised vehicle advertising rule, R877-23V-7.

The revised language addresses mandatory dealer fees, installed products, conditional rebates, vehicle availability, and promotional claims. It also makes clear that advertising reaches beyond a dealership’s website or paid advertisements. Window stickers, showroom signs, banners, price tags, and spoken statements about vehicles offered for sale or lease all fall within the rule’s broad definition.

What Utah Dealers Need to Know Before January 1, 2027

Utah dealers who purchase used vehicles—particularly vehicles from out-of-state auctions, wholesalers, trade-ins, and other interstate sources—should begin preparing for an important change to Utah’s vehicle titling system.

During the 2026 General Session, the Utah Legislature passed HB 228, Vehicle Sales Amendments. The legislation makes significant changes to how Utah identifies and handles vehicles with salvage, total-loss, damage, and other title histories.

HB 228 takes effect January 1, 2027.

A retail vehicle seller who sells a guaranteed asset protection (GAP) waiver must hold a limited line agency or individual producer license, with the GAP waiver line of authority, issued by the Insurance Department. Unless licensed, a person may not sell, offer to sell, or otherwise provide a GAP Waiver in a retail vehicle sales transaction. Utah Code § 31A-6b-201.

Moving forward, the name on a vehicle title application must now match the owner's name as it appears on their government-issued identification, such as a driver's license or state ID card. The only exceptions are for vehicles titled in a business or trust name.