Import auto dealers come to town for annual AIADA Summit to review the international auto dealers government relations agenda for the U.S.
Americas import auto dealers and members of the Automotive Trade Associations (ATAE) came to Washington this week for the annual American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) International Auto Industry Summit, a two-day affair to hear from key members of Congress, pundits and industry leaders on the issues facing the U.S. new vehicle market and their impact on the retail auto industry.
The always enlightening conference was highlighted by the first public speech since his announced candidacy for president of former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty, who promised a new way forward for America if he were elected.
Joining Gov. Pawlenty was Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Congressional Auto Caucus, who lamented Congresss current inability to forge workable compromises on a whole host of critical issues, to include the nations debt and regulatory crisis. Sen. Scott Brown the newly installed Republican senator from Massachusetts who replaced Ted Kennedy also stopped by the conference.
Attendees additionally heard from Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Paul Ingrassia on the future of the U.S. auto industry and from a panel of industry executives who saw slow, but steady progress ahead for industry sales and reasonable regulation of the industry.
Supporting AIADA in its conference was Global Automakers organization whose CEO, Mike Stanton, called for balancing green technology with fuel site infrastructure and real car business demand.
Other pressing issues for conferees were the prospect of California staying in the air quality standards business along with the prospect of 50-50 mpg requirements by 2025.