MAY 18, 2010

IN THIS ISSUE

DEALER NEWS & INFORMATION

– Automotive News at a Glance

REGULATORY & LEGAL UPDATES

– Exports: Sample Employee Acknowledgement Form

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

– 2010 General Assembly Adjourned Late Wednesday Night

UPCOMING SEMINARS

– Maiximizing Technologies In Automotove Computing

– One Toke Over the Line? Medical Marijuana at Work. The HIRE Act: Employer Tax Breaks For Hiring Unemployed Workers

– Are You Prepared to Service Hybrid Vehicles?

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
– Upcoming Events

– CADA 2010 Annual Golf Tournament

– Innovative Dealer Summit

– CADA Regional Meetings

– CADA Annual Meeting

DEALER MILESTONES,
HIGHLIGHTS & TRANSITIONS

–Kenneth J. Schenden Passes Away

–Share Your Accomplishments

THE AFTERFACT

–All the News That's Fit to Email!

ARCHIVES

CLICK HERE for Open Road
e-newsletter archives.

CLICK HERE for an Index of Regulatory
& Legal Articles from the Open
Road e-newsletter.

CLICK HERE for Bulletin archives.

CLICK HERE for Colorado Auto
Outlook archives.

CLICK HERE for Denver Auto
Outlook archives.

ONLINE REGISTRATION

CLICK HERE to register online
for various CADA seminars & events.

MEMBERSHIP RESOURCES

CLICK HERE for details on the
Speaker and Educational
Resources.

CLICK HERE for a list of current
Endorsed Vendors/Programs.

CLICK HERE for a list of current
Allied Members.

CLICK HERE for an order form for
CADA forms.

CLICK HERE for information on all member services.

www.nada.org

CLICK HERE for NADA
Regulatory Affairs information.

STATE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES

CLICK HERE for the Auto Industry
Division of the Colorado Dept.
of Revenue.

CLICK HERE for the Title and
Registration section of the
Colorado Dept. of Revenue,
Motor Vehicles Division.

CLICK HERE for the Colorado
Department of Labor &
Employment website.

Visit us at www.coloradodealers.org.

CADA Hours of Operation
Monday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

CADA STAFF

CLICK HERE for a CADA staff listing

If you have questions
or suggestions regarding this
e-newsletter, please
contact Lauren Stadler at
lauren.stadler@coloradodealers.org

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ENDORSED VENDOR/PROGRAMS

CLICK HERE for information about the
Endorsed Vendors/Programs.

If you have trouble viewing any of the links or documents in this e-newsletter, please CLICK HERE to access the web-based version.

Maximizing Technologies In Automotive Computing

~ NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER! ~

This seminar takes a comprehensive look at which new technologies are worth purchasing versus which are costing dealers time and money with little or no return.

Monday, May 24th –  Grand Junction – 11:30am
Tuesday, May 25th – Loveland – 7:30am
Tuesday, May 25th – Colorado Springs – 12:30pm

May 24-25 in Grand Junction, Loveland and Colorado Springs!

Who Should Attend: Dealers, General Managers and Controllers

With the advent of new solutions and technologies, The Paul Gillrie Institute has developed new computer pricing schedules and current, effective rules and techniques to reach those prices. The price of any computer system is determined by the buyer’s knowledge of the computer industry and his/her negotiating strategy.

• Our presenter will walk you through the processes of understanding and communicating with the DMS providers
• How to analyze and reduce monthly computer expenses; identify unnecessary costs or over-billing
• You can bring your monthly bills and ask questions. Eighty percent of a dealer’s expense is in the recurring monthly charges.
• Instruct you in optimal negotiating strategy and how to use it to guarantee substantial discounts on both hardware costs and software maintenance “monthlies”.
• Inform Dealerships who typically face a computer acquisition or upgrade every three to five years.

CLICK HERE for information and registration!

Listed here are several articles pertaining to the
auto industry in general that appeared recently in newspapers and other media outlets across the nation.

EXPORTS: SAMPLE EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM

In the April 27, 2010 issue of Open Road, the article “New Export Provision in Colorado Franchise Law” included a guest article with additional advice on this topic.  As a follow-up to that article, the same dealer attorney provided a sample employee acknowledgement form that he utilizes within his state. This provides documentation that employees have been trained and are aware of manufacturer restrictions on exports, and the dealerships potential liability.   

As with any compliance, legal, or manufacturer-relations issue, dealerships are advised to obtain legal advice from their own attorney when implementing such a form.

CLICK HERE for the sample form (PDF) 
CLICK HERE for the sample form (Word doc)
Provided by:  Michael Charapp is an attorney with the McLean, VA firm of Charapp & Weiss, LLP, www.cwattorneys.com.  The firm specializes in representing auto dealers and dealer trade associations.

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If you have questions on any legal or regulatory topic, please contact:

• Tammi McCoy, Vice Pres., tammi.mccoy@coloradodealers.org, 303.282.1449
• Tim Jackson, President, tim.jackson@coloradodealers.org, 303.282.1448

DISCLAIMER: CADA is not authorized to dispense legal advice.The information contained in this weekly email is intended to provide important updates and reminders regarding statutes, litigation, and regulations. CADA always advises that dealers should consult legal counsel on the specifics of any laws or regulations to ensure proper compliance

2010 GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADJOURNED LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT

After 120 days of lobbying, deal-making and policy advocacy, the Colorado General Assembly adjourned on Wednesday, May 12th.  The 2010 Session proved to be highly productive for Colorado's new franchised automobile dealers with the passage of HB 1049 and SB 201.  Both bills provide expansive protections for Colorado dealers from arbitrary conduct by their parent manufacturers.  To view HB 1049 or SB 201, please click here.

In next week's Open Road, look for an extensive End of Session report detailing all of the legislation that CADA helped pass or kill during the 2010 Session.

* * * * * * * *

Questions or Comments?  Please contact:

• Melissa Kuipers – VP of Government Relations and Communications
  melissa.kuipers@coloradodealers.org, 303.457.5115
• Tim Jackson, President, tim.jackson@coloradodealers.org, 303.282.1448

MAXIMIZING TECHNOLOGIES IN AUTOMOTIVE COMPUTING

This seminar takes a comprehensive look at which new technologies are worth purchasing versus which are costing dealers time and money with little or no return.

May 24-25 in Grand Junction, Loveland and Colorado Springs!

Who Should Attend: Dealers, General Managers and Controllers

With the advent of new solutions and technologies, The Paul Gillrie Institute has developed new computer pricing schedules and current, effective rules and techniques to reach those prices. The price of any computer system is determined by the buyer’s knowledge of the computer industry and his/her negotiating strategy.

• Our presenter will walk you through the processes of understanding and communicating with the DMS providers
• How to analyze and reduce monthly computer expenses; identify unnecessary costs or over-billing
• You can bring your monthly bills and ask questions. Eighty percent of a dealer’s expense is in the recurring monthly charges.
• Instruct you in optimal negotiating strategy and how to use it to guarantee substantial discounts on both hardware costs and software maintenance “monthlies”.
• Inform Dealerships who typically face a computer acquisition or upgrade every three to five years.

CLICK HERE for information and registration!

* * * * * * * *

ONE TOKE OVER THE LINE? MEDICAL MARIJUANA AT WORK. THE HIRE ACT: EMPLOYER TAX BREAKS FOR HIRING UNEMPLOYED WORKERS

Tuesday, June 22nd –  Denver – 7:30am
Wednesday, June 23rd – Colorado Springs – 12:00pm

Part I:  One Toke Over the Line! Medical Marijuana at Work

• Can your employees use or possess marijuana in the workplace?
• What should you do if a drug test comes back positive for medical   marijuana?
• What if the employee is "disabled"? How are Medical Review Officers   handling positive tests for marijuana?
•Can your employee brag to other employees about their medical marijuana   use?
• You’ll hear latest legal guidance on medical marijuana vs. laws.

Part II: The HIRE Act: Tax Breaks for Hiring Unemployed Workers

• You will learn what is needed for a new hire to qualify for immediate payroll   tax exemption
• You will learn what is needed for the employer to receive a tax credit for   retained workers

CLICK HERE for information and registration!

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ARE YOU PREPARED TO SERVICE HYBRID VEHICLES?

Overall Objective: To teach automotive technicians basic safety for handling hybrid batteries and working with hybrid vehicles. 
Target market – Automotive technicians in the western region of the U.S. wishing to train on hybrid vehicles.
Anticipated class size – limited to 12 students per class
Anticipated duration of training – course will run for 40 hours (see dates and times on attached advertisement)
Learning Objectives and Hands on Training Includes:

• Demonstrate safety when dealing with hybrid batteries
• Describe and demonstrate methods of approaching high-voltage systems
• Describe steps to evaluate if vehicle is safe to touch or work on
• Be able to locate high-voltage wires in hybrids and all electric vehicles
• Conversion of hybrid vehicles to longer-range electric vehicles

Where: Arapahoe Community College – 5900 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, CO 80120 - Automotive Department
Cost: $299
Registration – Call 303.734.3701
CLICK HERE for more information!

Participants that complete the 40 hours will receive a certificate from Arapahoe Community College Corporate Learning Division.

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TO REGISTER ONLINE FOR ANY CADA SEMINAR OR EVENT, PLEASE VISIT: www.coloradodealers.org/registration

If you have a particular area of interest or would like to suggest a training seminar topic, please contact Lauren Stadler at 303.457.5123 or lauren.stadler@coloradodealers.org

KENNETH J. SCHENDEN PASSES AWAY

KENNETH J. SCHENDEN; age 93; of Rochester Hills; May 10, 2010.

Loving husband of Wilma; dear father of James M. (Carolyn) Schenden, John J. (Kathryn) Schenden, Marilyn (Leo) Perazza, Dr. Michael J. Schenden and Kathryn M. (James) Nihls; survived by 8 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren.

Kenneth retired from GM after 40 years of service, was a life member of the K of C and Elks and a W.W.II Veteran. Funeral Mass Wednesday, May 12, 2010, 9 a.m. with an In State time of 8:30 a.m. at St. John Fisher Chapel University Parish, 3665 Walton Blvd., Auburn Hills.

The family will receive friends Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Potere-Modetz Funeral Home, 339 Walnut, Rochester. Memorials to Sister Jane Frances Miller, Memorial Endowment, c/o Congregation of St. Joseph, P.O. Box 29, Nazareth, MI 49074-0029. Online guestbook www.modetzfuneralhomes.com

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LET US KNOW ABOUT YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS!

Have you or anyone else at your dealership won an award recently? Have you or your dealership provided any outstanding community service? We want to recognize such accomplishments. Please send us a brief write-up of the award or event along with any other information to milestones@coloradodealers.org. Also include your contac tinformation for further follow-up.

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