A lawsuit filed in federal court alleges a breakdown in basic security procedures after a high-dollar Mercedes-AMG SUV disappeared while being transferred between dealerships, underscoring growing concerns about vehicle theft and fraud during transport.
According to court documents, an Illinois dealership purchased a 2023 Mercedes-AMG G 63 for nearly $350,000 from a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Texas and arranged for the vehicle to be shipped by a third-party transport broker. The SUV never arrived.
The buyer, Loeber Motors of Illinois, claims in its lawsuit that the vehicle vanished after an employee at Mercedes-Benz of Laredo released the keys and possession of the G63 to an individual who was not the authorized carrier. The lawsuit alleges the individual falsely represented himself as a transport agent and left the dealership with the vehicle days before the legitimate carrier arrived.
The complaint states that when the authorized transport company showed up for the scheduled pickup, the SUV was already gone.
Loeber Motors is suing the Texas dealership and the transport broker, alleging negligence and failure to follow standard industry practices for verifying carriers and protecting high-value inventory. The dealership is seeking to recover the purchase price of the vehicle along with additional damages tied to lost profits and costs associated with the failed transaction.
The lawsuit further alleges that Mercedes-Benz of Laredo deposited the buyer’s payment despite being instructed not to do so until delivery was confirmed. Loeber contends that once it became clear the vehicle had not arrived, it requested a refund, which was not issued.
Industry reporting cited by Yahoo! Autos indicates that Mercedes-Benz of Laredo later acknowledged an internal error in the handoff process. The dealership reportedly told investigators that the employee involved believed the individual who picked up the SUV was affiliated with the transport company, despite no formal verification.
The case highlights a growing vulnerability in dealership-to-dealership vehicle transfers, particularly for luxury and exotic models that command six-figure prices. As demand for high-end vehicles has increased, so has the frequency of thefts involving impersonation, fraudulent transport documents, and weak identity verification.
Auto transport experts say high-value vehicles are increasingly targeted because they can be resold quickly, exported, or stripped for parts. Many dealerships rely on brokers who match loads with independent carriers, a system that critics say can expose dealers to fraud if safeguards are not strictly enforced.
Best practices typically require dealers to verify carrier credentials, confirm driver identities, match vehicle identification numbers, and avoid releasing keys or paperwork until transport authorization is confirmed. Failure at any step can leave dealers with little recourse if a vehicle disappears.
Similar cases have surfaced nationwide. In recent years, multiple dealerships have reported losing high-end vehicles, including Ferraris and Lamborghinis, during transport. Some cases have resulted in criminal investigations, while others have been resolved through civil litigation or insurance claims.
The financial risk is substantial. Vehicles like the AMG G63 are often sold with slim margins despite their high sticker prices, meaning a single loss can erase profits from multiple transactions. In addition to the financial hit, dealers face reputational damage and strained relationships with manufacturer partners.
As of the latest court filings, the missing G 63 has not been recovered, and no arrests have been announced. The lawsuit remains pending, and attorneys for the defendants have not publicly commented on the allegations.
The case serves as a cautionary tale for dealers moving expensive inventory across state lines, reinforcing the importance of strict transport verification in an era when vehicle theft methods continue to evolve.
Photo Credit: Mercedes-Benz.