AUGUST 24, 2010

IN THIS ISSUE

DEALER NEWS & INFORMATION

– Automotive News at a Glance

REGULATORY & LEGAL UPDATES

– Emissions Outreach Meetings Regarding Larimer/Weld Counties

– Important: All Prospective New Salesperson Licensees Have Until August 30th to Submit Any Pending Applications If Taking the Current, Written Exam!

– Denver Title Processing Delays

– Titles & Registration: Revised Rules Regarding Late Fees

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

– Fundraising Reception Honoring Ken Buck

– Fundraising Reception Honoring Edward Casso

– CADA Legislative Policy Committee Dealer Meetings

UPCOMING SEMINARS

– Webinar: Zen and the Art of Time & Multi-Task Management for Today's Super controll

–FREE Webinar: OSHA's Top 10 Most Cited Violations by Dealers

– Webinar: How to Create Pay Plans that Really Work

– Webinar: Case Studies in Successful Customer Loyalty

– Webinar: Case Studies: Service Departments Winning Back 2nd & 3rd Owner Vehicles

–Webinar: How to Create a Consistent Selling Process on the Service Drive

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
– Upcoming Events

– Innovative Dealer Summit

– CADA Regional Meetings

– Denver Regional Meeting

– NADA Convention and Expo

DEALER MILESTONES,
HIGHLIGHTS & TRANSITIONS

–Share Your Accomplishment

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


www.aiada.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

CLICK HERE or scroll to the bottom
of this page if you want to be
added or removed from our list.

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download from Adobe.

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.

You can not afford to miss this opportunity!

Register Now!!  Visit us at www.innovativedealersummit.com

Check us out on Facebook!

CLICK HERE to register, sponsor or exhibit.

Denver Innovative Dealer Summit and Grant Cardone

 
AUTOMOTIVE NEWS AT A GLANCE

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

Plan now to participate in CADA Regional Meetings 2010

Please join us at any of the eleven meetings
scheduled across Colorado

Join your colleagues to learn about issues important to you, your dealership, and your operations.                 

Hear what is happening in Colorado’s legislative and regulatory arena and what CADA is doing to proactively address problems that affect dealer survivability and profitability.

Be informed, be involved and be connected! Register today AT NO COST using one of the following methods:

Please click on any of the boxes below to register for that meeting/location.
To register by phone, please call Lauren Stadler at 303.457.5123
Questions? Call or email Tim Jackson at 303.282.1448 or tim.jackson@coloradodealers.org
or visit www.coloradodealers.org/regionals

EMISSIONS OUTREACH MEETINGS REGARDING LARIMER/WELD COUNTIES

As noted in the July 13, 2010 Open Road, Emissions testing for gas vehicles returns for vehicles to be registered in Larimer/Weld counties – as of November 1, 2010.  To date, a series of informational meetings has been arranged targeted to the repair industry – CLICK HERE for a memo from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment with more information.  There are more meetings being scheduled for late September/early October specifically for dealerships, however, you may want to try to attend one of these as well, space permitting.  The additional meeting dates/times will be forwarded as soon as we have a final schedule.

Once you RSVP and space is confirmed, you will be provided with the specific meeting location.  These meetings listed below do have some space left:

Tuesday, Aug. 31, Loveland
Tuesday, September 7th, Fort Collins

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IMPORTANT: ALL PROSPECTIVE NEW SALESPERSON LICENSEES HAVE UNTIL AUGUST 30th TO SUBMIT ANY PENDING APPLICATIONS IF TAKING THE CURRENT, WRITTEN EXAM!

• The new, online exam (that is more difficult) will be required for all new salesperson license applications received at the Auto Industry Division AS OF AUGUST 31st, 2010. 

Look for further information later this week on the new online examination process.  The new rule effective date is sooner than all expected—a summary of the new procedures is still being finalized.  

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DENVER TITLE PROCESSING DELAYS

We have received numerous calls from dealerships regarding title processing delays at Denver County.  There was a backlog of up to six weeks at one point, however the Denver Motor Vehicle Division management now indicates they are at a manageable volume and have a plan to manage title processing at a reasonable level going forward.  Additional resources have been allocated, overtime approved, and the backlog has been addressed after numerous complaints from consumers and dealers.  They are currently about two weeks behind.  Denver is also in the process of hiring four additional full-time personnel. 

They also provided the following clarifications and asked that we extend their appreciation to all dealerships for your patience during this trying time of severe budget restrictions and staffing shortages.  Decisions on allocation of resources are not made by the Denver Motor Vehicle Division. 

• Denver has obtained approval to issue no-fee, 30-day temporaries to customers so they are not assessed late-fees due to these delays.  However, the new temporary must be obtained before the 60-day temporary permit expires, so there is no lapse. 
• Legislation two years ago removed county discretion to waive late-fees, regardless of the circumstances.  Due to various consumer complaints, the Colorado General Assembly last year passed legislation to allow the department to adopt rules outlining circumstances where late fees can be waived.  See the next article below.
• Despite some reports to the contrary, Denver management confirmed that they do still continue to send a “title complete card” -- those are generated by the computer system and still go out when the paperwork is processed (after any sales/use tax discrepancies or other paperwork errors are resolved, so may be delayed pending resolution of those items)
• For a period, Denver was asking consumers to find out from the dealership which day the title paperwork was mailed – so they might be able to locate the paperwork.  Agents should not have been asking for tracking numbers, just the day sent so they could generally pinpoint where it might be.  Now that the backlog has been whittled down and paperwork is being logged, agents should be able to indicate where it is in the process (in-process, rejected, or completed/ready). 
• Denver does have a new “311 Help Center” --  as of last Spring, all calls into all departments are first routed through this main help center, even if you know who you are trying to reach and what department you want.  Again, this was not a decision of the DMV department, but city-wide.  Many dealerships have indicated consumers are receiving erroneous information.  At present, the 311 agents are supposed to only answer the most basic questions and once a call is identified as a DMV issue, they are to transfer the caller to DMV department. 

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TITLES & REGISTRATION: REVISED RULES REGARDING LATE FEES

Rule 44 Late Fee Exemption and Rule 47 Expired Temporary Registration Permits were developed pursuant to HB10-1212. This legislation required the Department, to work with the County Clerks, to promulgate rules that establish circumstances where a vehicle owner would be exempted from paying late fees. The legislation requires the rules to be applied uniformly throughout the state.

These rules, and the resulting programming changes, are effective September 1, 2010. Any late fees accrued prior to the September 1, 2010 cannot be exempted.

Most relevant to dealers is the following change:
Rule 47. Expired Temporary Registration Permits.  Late fees will be waived on all expired temporary registration permits.

CLICK HERE to review the full memo.

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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

FUNDRAISING RECEPTION HONORING KEN BUCK

The Colorado Automobile Dealers Association, The Rocky Mountain Chapter of
Associated Builders and Contractors, and The Colorado Bankers Association invite you to a fundraising reception honoring

Ken Buck
Candidate for U.S. Senate

Thursday, August 26th
5:30 – 7:00pm

CADA Headquarters
290 E. Speer Blvd
Denver, 80203

$200 – Attendee
$1,000 – Co-Host

Kindly R.S.V.P. to
303.857.5691 or RSVP@BuckForColorado.com

Contributions to Buck for Colorado are limited by federal law to $4,800 ($2,400 to the primary election; $2,400 to the general election). A couple may contribute up to $9,600 from a joint account as long as both individuals sign the check or sign below. A multi-candidate federal PAC may contribute up to $10,000 ($5,000 to the primary election; $5,000 to the general election). Contributions to Buck for Colorado are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. Contributions from corporations, foreign nationals, federal government contractors and labor unions are prohibited. Federal law requires political committees to use their best efforts to obtain and report the name, mailing address, occupation and employer for each individual whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 in an election cycle.

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FUNDRAISING RECEPTION HONORING EDWARD CASSO

Rep. Casso was the key Democratic vote that helped CADA and other business organizations defeat harmful legislation during the 2010 Session that would have imposed punitive damages on employers in wrongful termination cases.

Please join us in supporting Rep. Casso and showing our appreciation for his decision to stand up for Colorado businesses.  Thank you!!

Please Join the Host Committee: Sen. Lucia Guzman, Rep. Joe Rice, Melissa Kuipers,    Colorado Automobile Dealers Association, Jim Col, Melanie Layton, Garin Vorthmann, Larry Hudson, Jeff Weist, Mike Beasley, Jerry Johnson, Jennifer Mello, The Howes Group, RJ Hicks, Jay Hicks, Greg Fulton, Colorado Motor Carriers Association for a fundraising reception in honor of State Representative Edward Casso

Thursday, September 2nd 5:00 – 6:30 pm

CADA Headquarters William D. Barrow Building

290 E. Speer Blvd. Denver 80203

Suggested minimum contribution is $100

Please make checks payable to “Citizens to Elect Ed Casso”

Contributions from individuals and Political Action Committees are legal and acceptable, but are limited to $400 per election cycle.  Small Donor Committee contributions are limited to $4,250 per election cycle.    Contributions from corporations cannot be accepted.  Sadly, contributions are not tax deductible

Please RSVP to Lauren Stadler, lauren.stadler@coloradodealers.org by Wednesday, September 1st.

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CADA LEGISLATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE DEALER MEETINGS

The CADA Legislative Policy Committee is scheduling dealer meetings with Colorado state legislators in order to increase awareness and gain support for the many policy issues expected to face auto dealers in the upcoming session of the Colorado General Assembly which convenes January 12, 2011.

Several meetings are planned and you are invited to participate in as many of the meetings as you are able to do.

The primary purpose of this series of brief get-togethers is to foster and advance relationships between CADA member dealers and Colorado’s elected leaders.

The following topics areas are expected to be covered in each session:

• Auto industry issues in general
• Colorado dealer issues in particular
• Proposals to repeal Colorado’s ban on Sunday sales of automobiles
• Growing class action litigation against the auto retail industry
• Trends in auto sales in state and nationally
• Sales tax jurisdictional issues

With the economic challenges faced by the industry today, it is more important than ever that state legislators get the opportunity to hear from you on issues of importance to you and your business.

CLICK HERE to view the schedule and RSVP!

* * * * * * * *

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   

WEBINAR: ZEN AND THE ART OF TIME & MULTI-TASK MANAGEMENT FOR TODAY'S SUPER CONTROLLER

Learn Tricks and Strategies for Managing the Many Tasks of the Dealership Controller!

11:00am(MDT), Thursday – August 26, 2010

Dealership controllers and office managers have all been there... The dealer reads an article or returns from a 20-Group meeting and immediately asks "Are we doing this”?  While those questions often add to the stress of the day, they should be asked.  In this 90 minute session, former Super Controller Sandi Jerome will share with you the many tricks and strategies that can help you manage these issues with calming confidence.

Sandi will help you reach the goal of calming confidence by sharing some of her most sought after time management tips, tricks and strategies which have helped her become a Super Controller!

Presented BY: Sandi Jerome, SandiJerome.com

Cost:  CADA Members $169 / Non-Members $298.00

CLICK HERE for more details!

CLICK HERE to register online!
Enter discount code TCDH4CADA (not case sensitive)

** DealersEdge does accept "bill me" registrations.  If you prefer to be invoiced, rather than to pay online with a credit card, please call 800-321-5312 for personal and prompt service.

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WEBINAR: HOW TO CREATE PAY PLANS THAT REALLY WORK

How to formulate pay plans that help meet dealership objectives!

11:00am(MDT), Thursday – September 2, 2010

Creating manager pay plans that help achieve dealership goals can be a daunting task. Keeping these plans simple enough to understand, how they impact the manager's pay check, while continuing to improve the behavior and performance you desire are still elusive targets for many dealers, GMs and Controllers.

Jeff Sacks is a long-time student of dealership pay plans and willprovide you with a process for pay plan creation that will avoid the mistakes and backfires that often end up over-paying or even worse- rewarding non-productive behaviors. Pay-For-Performance is a worthy goal; now learn how to create pay plans that truly work in sync with your intentions.

Presented BY: Jeff Sacks, jeff sacks auto

Cost:  CADA Members $169 / Non-Members $298.00

CLICK HERE for more details!

CLICK HERE to register online!
Enter discount code TCDi1CADA (not case sensitive)

** DealersEdge does accept "bill me" registrations.  If you prefer to be invoiced, rather than to pay online with a credit card, please call 800-321-5312 for personal and prompt service.

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WEBINAR: CASE STUDIES IN SUCCESSFUL CUSTOMER LOYALTY

How dealerships are bringing them back again and again!

11:00am(MDT), Thursday – September 9, 2010

Everyone knows that is should be easier to re-sell an existing customer than it is to go out and find a new one. The basic building blocks of customer loyalty are a quality product or service delivered at fair prices, but also in a way that makes your customers know that they are appreciated and valued.

Customer Loyalty programs and systems abound - just how do you know which one, if any, will work best in your dealership. On September 9th visit with Mike Gorun from MediaTrack as we explore case studies of successful customer loyalty initiatives in the dealership environment.

Presented BY: Mike Gorun, MediaTrack

Cost:  CADA Members $169 / Non-Members $298.00

CLICK HERE for more details!

CLICK HERE to register online!
Enter discount code TCDi2CADA (not case sensitive)

** DealersEdge does accept "bill me" registrations.  If you prefer to be invoiced, rather than to pay online with a credit card, please call 800-321-5312 for personal and prompt service.

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WEBINAR: CASE STUDIES: SERVICE DEPARTMENTS WINNING BACK 2ND & 3RD OWNER VEHICLES

How Service Managers are re-vamping business plans to open up a market segment previously dominated by the corner garage and chain retailers!

11:00am(MDT), Thursday – September 16, 2010

Learn what is different about the "corner garage" that keeps customers coming back over and over again. Ed Kovalchick is a nationally-known service management trainer and has devoted a majority of his time studying what makes the corner garage tick. His findings will amaze you.

On Sept 16th Ed will profile several dealership service departments that have transformed a segment of their shop into “The Garage” with some amazing results. It takes a change of mindset – Learn to make it work in your dealership and open up a whole new business in service.

Presented BY: Ed Kovalchick, Net Profit, Inc.

Cost:  CADA Members $169 / Non-Members $298.00

CLICK HERE for more details!

CLICK HERE to register online!
Enter discount code TCDi3CADA (not case sensitive)

** DealersEdge does accept "bill me" registrations.  If you prefer to be invoiced, rather than to pay online with a credit card, please call 800-321-5312 for personal and prompt service.

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WEBINAR: HOW TO CREATE A CONSISTENT SELLING PROCESS ON THE SERVICE DRIVE

How service departments achieve huge sales increases by consistently delivering a professional selling presentation!

11:00am(MDT), Thursday – September 23, 2010

How can your service department create the consistent selling process so often in evidence in the showroom? This question has vexed dealers and service managers for decades. The selling discipline taught and enforced in so many dealership showrooms is almost always absent once you get to the service drive.

System-selling guru, Steve Kwiatkowski of Liqqid Inc. will bring you real life examples of dealerships employing new tools to maximize maintenance package sales. Hear from real world dealer and service managers as they share with you how their success was realized.

Presented BY: Steve Kwiatkowski, Liqqid Inc.

Cost:  CADA Members $169 / Non-Members $298.00

CLICK HERE for more details!

CLICK HERE to register online!
Enter discount code TCDi4CADA (not case sensitive)

** DealersEdge does accept "bill me" registrations.  If you prefer to be invoiced, rather than to pay online with a credit card, please call 800-321-5312 for personal and prompt service.

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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

As car dealers our visions are always beyond the present and embedded in the future. With new car sales on the rise and crippling legislation prevented, we, as dealers can certainly see a Bright Future Ahead!

To learn more about this Future and to explore all the possibilities it can contain, be sure to attend this year’s NADA Convention and Expo in San Francisco. We have so much in store for you! To name a few things headed your way:

• New on Friday night!  A NADA welcome reception co-sponsored by JD Power and Associates
• One stop registration and housing online with immediate confirmation!
• A compact 3 day Convention that wraps up on Monday at 5:00
• New workshops by Google, Ritz Carlton and JD Powers!
• General Sessions to be held on the third level in Moscone West, eliminating the busing to Civic Auditorium
• Advance registration open right up to Friday!
• Early Bird discounted registration fees
• New ID card scanners to replace the expo cards
• Optional badge mailing to your home enabling streamlined credential pickup.

Visit www.nadaconventionandexpo.com for more details!

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 contact information for further follow-up.

If you want to be added to our mailing list, please CLICK HERE.

To remove yourself from this list, click on this link.