WANADA members are urged to register early for a special reception and dinner on Jan. 26, 2011, following the Sneak Peek Preview at the upcoming Washington Auto Show where auto racing and dealer icon, Roger Penske, will be honored. Penske, world renowned for his successful racing teams in the Indy, Formula1 and NASCAR racing series, not to mention his equally successful ventures into automotive retailing, vehicle leasing and affiliated businesses, will be recognized at the sit-down dinner event with the 2012 Automotive News Lifetime Achievement Award. AN editor-in-chief Keith Crain will make the presentation and Mark Reuss, president of GM North America, will be make testimonial remarks. On display at the dinner will be four (4) Penske racecars for guests to see up close, and personal! [FULL ARTICLE]

As the U.S. economy continues to improve this year, Paul Taylor, chief economist of the National Automobile Dealers Association, predicts more than 13.9 million new cars and light trucks will be purchased or leased by U.S. consumers in 2012.. [FULL ARTICLE]

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood will join the media, members of Congress, regulators, and industry operatives at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012 to open The Washington Auto Show's signature pavilion, The Advanced Technology SuperHighway (ATS), at 2 pm, setting off the second media and industry day, or Public Policy Day OnSite. [FULL ARTICLE]

The National Labor Relations Board yesterday, Dec, 21, 2011, adopted a rule that will speed union-organizing elections in private-sector workplaces, scoring a win for unions that have long contended that scheduling a union vote often takes too long.
The election rule had been strongly opposed by the U.S. Chamber, NADA and other business groups. In recognition of that, House Republicans passed legislation earlier this year to void the regulation. [FULL ARTICLE]

The Senate Commerce Committee this week approved an overhaul of U.S. auto safety laws, which includes a huge increase in fines against manufacturers for delaying vehicle recalls and anyone involved in odometer fraud.
Under the bill, aimed at reforming laws under the auspices of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the maximum fines for manufacturers that delay recalls would be hiked to $250 million from the current $17.35 million. Fines for odometer fraud would rise to $1 million from the current maximum of $100,000 for some fraudulent actions.

WANADA Annual Luncheon attendees last week got a solid dose of good news from keynoter Mike Jackson, CEO of AutoNation, who said auto sales should continue to increase over the next several years as things like credit become more accessible and affordable for large numbers of buyers who need to replace vehicles they have held onto for too long.

Mike Jackson, AutoNation's animated CEO, is expected to present his forecast for an upswing in the U.S. auto industry to WANADA members at the association's Annual Lunch next Wednesday, Dec. 7.
Known for his decisive leadership and insightful analysis, Mike Jackson, was recently selected one of Fortune Magazine's 2011 top 50 Businesspersons of the World. Jackson was also named a 2011 Automotive Industry All Star by Automotive News for the seventh year.

Last week, Nov. 17th, the Federal Trade Commission concluded a series of "roundtables" on their investigation into retail automobile sales practices. The FTC inquiry, prompted by the Dodd/Frank Act on financial reform, was specifically focused on consumer credit aspects of automotive retailing. Last week's hearing in DC followed similar ones FTC held in Detroit and San Antonio. Recurring subjects were the practice of spot deliveries and when these turn into "yo yo" financing abuses; the practice of "buy here, pay here" arrangements; special circumstances related to vehicle purchasing and financing for active duty service personnel living on military bases; and auto leasing. [FULL ARTICLE]

The Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer Board (MVDB) has rejected a special assessment on dealers to rebuild the Transaction Recovery Fund, which is "perilously" close to the statutory mandated minimum of $250,000, according to MVDB director Bruce Gould. Gould said the law's mandate of at least $250,000 means there are virtually no funds available for use. [FULL ARTICLE]

Though most auto dealers likely do not engage in activities covered by Regulation E, which governs activities related to electronic fund transfers, the Federal Reserve Board has identified some practices it thinks dealers could potentially engage in and is looking to see if these will be subject to the regulations. [FULL ARTICLE]

A number of WANADA dealerships took advantage of a special "Leasing 101" training workshop held at association headquarters this week. Produced by WANADA's Automotive Dealer Education Institute (ADEI), the seminar was conducted by Michael Canan of JM&A Group, which specializes in lease training. The all-day education session focused on the fundamentals of new leasing and how to market and sell leasing to consumers. [FULL ARTICLE]

This summer, all GM dealers received notices concerning their Area of Primary Responsibility (APR) and, where applicable, their Area of Geographic Sales and Service Advantage (AGSSA). Some dealers challenged those market assignments, but many did not and that reality may now be coming back to bite them as the company issues retail sales efficiency ratings, or Retail Sales Index (RSI) scores for the first half of 2011 that show them underperforming. [FULL ARTICLE]

WANADA members will want to put Wednesday, December 7, 2011 on their calendars to gather with fellow dealers and industry colleagues at the WANADA Annual Meeting & Luncheon. This year's event will be held at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in downtown Washington, DC with its program headlined by a presentation from AutoNation chairman, Mike Jackson. [FULL ARTICLE]

A Maryland transportation panel looking to raise about $800 million a year in new money for transportation is leaning toward boosting the state's gas tax and possibly raising vehicle sale fees and taxes as prime options for generating the needed dollars.
The Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation Funding is due to present its recommendations to the governor and the General Assembly next week and has already ruled out a sales tax increase or property tax increase to help raise the new money for supporting the state's transportation system.
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The WANADA Vehicle Trading Network (VTN), a unique online auction site for WANADA dealer members to exchange aged, off-brand models as well as wholesale units at significantly reduced costs, launched 10 days ago, and, is up, operating and selling cars. "We are very pleased with how this one-of-a-kind member service has come together and is now happening," said John O'Donnell, WANADA's executive vice president. "This network has the potential to save member dealers significant money in their wholesaling and used car operations, and we are working diligently to get the entire dealer membership familiar with the site," he added.[FULL ARTICLE]

The Federal Reserve Board (FRB), responding to heavy pressure from small business organizations, including the National Automobile Dealers Association, temporarily exempted auto dealers engaged in indirect (three-party) vehicle financing transactions from a new, comprehensive data collection and reporting requirement mandated by the Dodd-Frank Finance Reform law. [FULL ARTICLE]

Considered the auto industry’s most prestigious retail honor, the annual TIME Magazine Dealer of the Year Award recognizes outstanding franchised new car dealers and WANADA’s nominee for 2012 is Geoff Pohanka of Pohanka Automotive. WANADA, along with state and metro dealer associations in the Automotive Trade Associations network (ATAE), each year puts forth dealers who exemplify sustained success in the automobile business, industry leadership and a strong sense of community. The award is presented to about 50 dealers each year at the annual NADA Convention, coming up in February 2012 in Las Vegas.
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Labor Day week was not a good one for Ron and Marc Bortnick. The father and son's Ford dealership in Upper Marlboro, MD had the misfortune of being directly in the path of persistent rainstorms that "trained" overhead through Prince Georges County, MD for several days, sending streams of water through the dealership that badly damaged new and used inventory as well as the dealership itself. [FULL ARTICLE]

Ron Bortnick Ford, Upper Marlboro Maryland - back in business after the flooding on Rt. 301. [Click Here to Watch Video]

The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has launched an independent study to look at the cost effectiveness of automaker image programs that require new-car dealers collectively to invest billions of dollars each year in facility upgrades. [FULL ARTICLE]

The Motor Vehicle Administration of Maryland last week cleared up some ongoing confusion over the manner in which dealers in the state are required to disclose prior-use of used vehicles they retail to consumers. In an official bulletin to Maryland dealers dated August 25, MVA said that dealers may make the mandatory written disclosure to used car buyers for prior use -- such as service in a short term rental fleet -- either on the buyers order or on a separate document.
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CBM (Councilor, Buchanan & Mitchell P.C.), a full-service CPA and advisory firm that has served WANADA dealer members since it began in 1921, is celebrating its 90th anniversary this month. In conjunction with that anniversary, it unveiled a new brand and logo for the firm, which focuses on the company's approach to client relationships.
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A new training program to refresh dealership line technician skills in vehicle electrical systems and engine performance diagnostics and repairs will be launched by WANADA after Labor Day. The classroom based program will be offered as part of WANADA’s NATEF Certified Technician Training program, which develops line techs at Montgomery College in Rockville, MD. The new program was announced earlier this week by WANADA at the semi-annual Auto Dealer Education Institute (ADEI) technician training mentor lunch. [FULL ARTICLE]

Longtime WANADA Kindred -Line member Chesapeake Petroleum is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, a significant plateau, since only about 18% of companies in the U.S. survive 50 years.
Chesapeake Petroleum was started in 1961 by Rex Davis as a Quaker State oil distributor. Rex focused his efforts on supplying automobile dealers, providing them with oil tanks, spigots, and command systems on a loan basis. Soon Chesapeake Petroleum had about 70% of the car and truck dealer business in the area. [FULL ARTICLE]

President Obama today announced his plan to nearly double corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards to 54.5 mpg by 2025, a change from his first plan to go to 56.2 mpg. The current law requires that CAFE increase from 27.3 in 2011 to 35.6 by 2016. [FULL ARTICLE]

Most of Michigan’s Congressional delegation ­ two senators and 14 house members -- weighed in on the proposal to raise fuel efficiency standards to 56.2 mpg by 2025 by sending a letter late Thursday to President Obama stating such standards are “overly aggressive and not reasonably feasible.” This letter is hot on the heels of concerted automaker complaints communicated to the White House last week about their similar misgivings on the president’s proposal. [FULL ARTICLE]

Anticipating a Congressional recess that now might not happen, as the deadline for lifting the U.S. debt ceiling nears, NADA has issued its “Dealer Priorities” list for dealers to reference when communicating with their elected officials over the summer. [FULL ARTICLE]

With WANADA's sponsorship, forty four young racers from all around the region took part in the 67th Annual Greater Washington Soap Box Derby on Capitol Hill, last Saturday, June 18th. It was an exciting day for the gravity powered go-cart racers that produced winners in three categories, who will now go on to represent the region at the national finals in Akron, Ohio. [FULL ARTICLE]

MADA and WANADA came together this week for a joint reception honoring Maryland Senator Ben Cardin, who will be completing his first term in the U.S. Senate. Maryland dealers around the Capital Beltway and across the state of Maryland have been longstanding supporters of Sen. Cardin, whose approach to lawmaking has been consistent and statesmanlike.
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