NADA NOTES:

NADA Membership Tops Record

More than 93 percent of U.S. franchised new car and truck dealers are members of the National Automobile Dealers Association, breaking a record set a year ago. New NADA membership reached 20,160 of the 21,650 franchised new car dealers nationwide last year, an increase of 369. “This shows the effectiveness and value of NADA, as well as the commitment by dealers to work together for industry progress,” said Alan Starling, NADA chairman. “As a result, we are a stronger and more unified industry, better positioned to serve our customers well in 2004 and beyond.” WANADA met its membership goal regionally once again in 2003.

DEAC Beats Records

NADA’s Dealers Election Action Committee hit an all-time single year fundraising record of nearly $2.2 million in 2003. “This is only the second time in DEAC’s 28-year history that we reached $2 million in a single year,” said Jim Willingham, DEAC chairman. A record 373 Presidents Club members, the most in the group’s 16-year history, beat the goal of 350. The goal for 2004 is $2 million and 375 Presidents Club members. As with NADA membership, WANADA eclipsed its 2003 goal for Washington Area dealers in DEAC, reaching 140% of the target.

NADA/USA Today Dealer Innovation Award Brings Rewards

Enter the Dealer Innovation Award competition by clicking on www.nada.usatoday.com. Your dealership could be featured in national or regional editions of USA Today as well as NADA communications. The national winner also wins a trip to New York City for the awards presentation, to be held in conjunction with the New York International Auto Show this April. This year’s focus is on innovation in bringing safety to the dealership’s community, such as theft prevention, safe driving, seat belt use, proper use of child safety seats, personal safety and anti-drunk/drug driving initiatives.