NADA NEWS

NADA Forms 20 Group for Independent Used-Vehicle Dealerships

NADA has formed a 20 Group dedicated to independent used-vehicle dealerships. The 20 Group meetings will focus on such topics as inventory management, expense control and revenue generation. They will incorporate the findings of NADAês new Used Vehicle Special Study into a detailed analysis of each dealershipês used-vehicle inventory.

A recent study by the NADA 20 Group department, revealed that approximately 20 percent of NADA members have an independent used-vehicle dealership.

“Independent used-vehicle operations are increasingly important to a dealershipês overall bottom line, and this new 20 Group will help dealers enhance the efficiency and profitability of that growing part of their business,” said Wayne Phillips, NADA 20 Group consultant.

NADAês 20 Groups offer dealers the opportunity to meet with non-competing colleagues to analyze business operations and exchange ideas. To register, or for more information, contact NADA 20 Groups at (888) 672-5149.

Minority Dealers Encouraged to be More Active in NADA

At the Minority Profitability Conference held at NADA headquarters earlier this month, dealers discussed the problems of keeping some minority-owned dealerships viable and getting more minority dealers appointed. NADA Chairman Dale Willey, Vice Chairman Annette Sykora, and directors-at-large Larry Brown and Dale Earlymet June 7 withNational Association of Minority Automobile Dealers President Damon Lester and representatives from the minority dealer associations of each of the Detroit Three. Willey encouraged minority dealers to be more active in NADA and with state and metro associations. Also at the meeting:

Dealers heard from a Small Business Administration official about the possibility of changing the size standards for SBA-guaranteed loans, since only 44 percent of dealers qualify under the current gross receipts standard. NADA supports basing the standard for the definition of a small business on the number of employees, with a 100-employee cap.

Participants discussed updating NADAês A Dealer Guide to Diversity as a Business Imperative and issuing a statement highlighting the importance of diversity to NADA and the industry overall.

NADA Speaks Out at National SkillsUSA Competition

NADA President Phil Brady participated in a panel discussion with educators and business leaders on workforce development issues at the SkillsUSA competition heldlast week in Kansas City, Mo. “Dealers have a significant need for talented young men and women to enter the service technology profession,” said Brady, citing a recent Harris poll that found 108,814 job openings at new-car dealerships across the country. “One solution,” he said, “is Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES).”

AYES is a national mentoring program that trains students in automotive technology. Brady, who currently serves as AYES chairman, highlighted the positive impact AYES is having on automotive technology students by providing them with extraordinary education and in-the-dealership experience. WANADA, in conjunction with MADA, employs an AYES coordinator for Maryland and Metropolitan Washington, who in turn works in tandem with WANADAês Automobile Dealer Education Institute.

The SkillsUSA competition, which is an annual event in 88 career and technology education areas, is believed to be the biggest single day of volunteerism in the country. SkillsUSA has 285,000 members nationwide.