Mulally touts resurgence of Ford and Industry at joint Maryland, Virginia Dealer Convention

Mulally touts resurgence of Ford and Industry at joint Maryland, Virginia Dealer Convention

Attendees at the first joint MADA/VADA state dealer convention got a healthy dose of optimism about the future of the automobile business from an upbeat OEM leadership panel, headlined by Ford president and CEO Alan Mulally, who outlined a variety of steps taken by his company to resurge from the global recession and avoid Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009, which befell other domestic automakers. He pointed to Fords new vehicle products as a lineup that excites the consumers imagination, while setting the pace on new vehicle innovation. Overall, Mulally saw the automobile industry, at large, gaining momentum over the next several years and being a positive force in the near term economic recovery.

Joining Mulally in the OEM presentation segment of the convention was Alan Batey, the new vice president of sales and service for Chevrolet, and Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager Toyota Division, Toyota Motor Sales, USA. Batey and Carter each hit the respective setbacks their companies have experienced over the past year, with Batey citing GMs success in paying back its government loan early and Carter pointing to the learning curve Toyota benefitted from in vehicle recall management. Each OEM spokesman used specific examples of brand redirection, with Mulally spotlighting the new Lincoln vehicles without Mercury and Batey speaking of Chevrolet without Chevy. For its redirection, Carter said Toyota was focusing on the vehicle safety aspects of his companys longstanding success in the U.S.

During another business panel, Virginia governor Bob McDonnell provided some brief executive insights into the direction and course of Virginias economy and the automobile industrys role in that. Ceremonially, the governor was joined by House Speaker William Howell for the signing into law of Virginias franchise bill that passed the 2010 General Assembly.

Besides the convention, MADA chairman Sam Weaver, Chevy Chase Cars, presided over MADAs 100th anniversary, while VADA chairman Chip Lindsay, of Lindsay Automotive, presided over the Virginia side of the convention as the third generation of Lindsays to do so. Chriss father, Terry Lindsay, and grandfather Tolliver Lindsay both chaired VADA.

WANADA hosted breakfast Saturday morning for the dealer conventioneers, who were joined by service providers, a number of whom were WANADA Kindred-line members.