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AUGUST 26, 2009
IN THIS ISSUE
 DEALER NEWS & INFORMATION
– Automotive News at a Glance
REGULATORY & LEGAL UPDATES
– Sales/Use Tax Database Accuracy and Accessibility Survey - We Need YOUR Assistance!
– CARS Program, AKA "Cash For Clunkers" - Program Has Ended
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
– Transportation Legislation Review Committee Meeting
– Pinnacol Assurance Meeting to Discuss Rates
– CADA Looking for Intern
UPCOMING SEMINARS
– Upcoming Seminars
– Liabilities, Fraud and Bankruptcy - Oh My! What's a dealer to do in these tough economic times?
– Employment Law Webinar: Reducing Lawsuit Risks of Terminations and Staff Reductions; Archive Now Available!
– CADA Virtual Seminar: Manufacturer Bankruptcy: What it Means and Proactive Steps- Now Available in Pre:Recorded Format!
– CADA Virtual Seminar: Employer Requirements for New COBRA Subsidy; Archive Now Available
– CADA Regional Member Briefings!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
– Upcoming Events
– CADA Regional Member Briefings
– MDADA Annual Membership Meeting/CADA Regional Meeting
– NADA Convention and Exposition
– Denver Auto Show
– CADA 2010 Annual Golf Tournament
DEALER MILESTONES,
HIGHLIGHTS & TRANSITIONS
–CADA Annual Golf Tournament Winners
–Share Your Accomplishments
THE AFTERFACT
–All the News That's Fit to Email!
ARCHIVES
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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.
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Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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If you have trouble viewing any of the links or documents in this e-newsletter, please CLICK HERE to access the web-based version.
 
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.
- Auto Makers Rethink Luxury Lines
The Wall Street Journal, August 26
Sales of luxury cars, once considered resistant to recessions, fell almost 21% last year -- double the decline in overall car sales -- and continue to slide this year.
- Ritter’s New Energy Economy; stolen without permission by Obama
 Aspen Daily News, August 23
The Obama administration has used “New Energy Economy” as a catchphrase for its goal of weaning America off of carbon-emitting fossil fuels while creating jobs to support new technologies. But Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter says it was his idea first.
- GM to drop corporate logo from vehicles
The Detroit News, August 25
General Motors Co. will no longer include the silver "GM" corporate logo on its vehicles in a move to emphasize the four core brands that survived the automaker's bankruptcy.
- Rush marks end of Cash for Clunkers
The Denver Post, August 25
The last day of Cash for Clunkers turned into a crash for clunkers Monday as auto dealers overwhelmed a government computer system with last-minute applications.
- Daimler seeks to avoid Chrysler legal costs
The Detroit News, August 24
Daimler AG wants to make sure it is not on the hook for additional legal costs associated with a lawsuit filed by the creditors of the old Chrysler LLC.
- Advisers suggest that GM keep ownership of Opel
Detroit Free Press, August 25
General Motors Co. advisers are recommending the board consider spurning a German-backed sale of its Opel unit to retain a bigger presence in Europe and Russia, a person familiar with the discussions said.
- Ford to meet UAW leaders today
Detroit Free Press, August 25
Ford Motor Co. is expected to put at least two issues on the table today when it meets with UAW officials: freezing pay for entry-level workers and reducing skilled-trades job classifications.
- Long-term impact of cash for clunkers program uncertain
The Detroit News, August 25
The deals are done and the new cars and trucks are tucked into garages -- or being washed and prepped for delivery. But the final reviews for the $3 billion "cash for clunkers" program won't be in for weeks or even months.
- 'Cash for clunkers' is administrative nightmare
The Detroit News, August 25
At Central Avenue Nissan in Yonkers, N.Y., they love "cash for clunkers."
- The angry left turns its wrath on Obama
The Wall Street Journal, August 12
The Angry Left is angry at the president of the United States. That makes it official. Nothing changed when Barack Obama became president.
SALES/USE TAX DATABASE ACCURACY AND ACCESSIBILITY SURVEY – WE NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE!
Part of legislation passed last session is an interim study to be conducted by the State Transportation Legislation Review Committee (TLRC). The purpose of this study is to assess the following regarding the information available to dealers to correctly identify and collect all sales/use taxes due on a motor vehicle:
THE COMMITTEE SHALL CONSULT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, COLORADO LICENSED AUTOMOBILE DEALERS, AUTOMOBILE RETAILERS, AND EXPERTS IN THE FIELDS OF MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND TITLING AND STATE AND LOCAL SALES TAX COLLECTION TO REVIEW:
(I) THE ACCURACY AND AVAILABILITY OF STATE APPROVED SALES TAX DATABASES RELIED ON BY AUTOMOBILE DEALERS AND RETAILERS;
(II) THE CONSISTENCY OF UPDATES TO THE STATE APPROVED SALES TAX DATABASES;
(III) THE EFFICIENCY OF THE COLLECTION OF SALES TAX ON THE SALE OF MOTOR VEHICLES FOR HOME RULE COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES; AND
(IV) THE NUMBER OF OCCURRENCES THAT PAPERWORK IS RETURNED
► In order to provide this committee with the dealership perspective on the challenges associated with identifying all sales/use taxes on a car deal, it will be extremely valuable for us to have your input on the following survey.
CLICK HERE to download the survey -- please complete and return via email, fax or mail
 Please send us sales/use tax discrepancy examples: In addition, any sales/use tax discrepancies that you run into for the remainder of this year where the title paperwork is rejected at the county, please send us a copy of the rejection letter so we can document these instances. We need to provide real examples of these discrepancies –especially the small dollar ones. Please fax to: 303.831.9100.
CLICK HERE for a data collection form to help gather additional data between now and the end of the year.
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CARS PROGRAM, AKA “CASH FOR CLUNKERS” – PROGRAM HAS ENDED
Contact CADA if you had any deals you were not able to submit
The CARs program officially came to an end last night. If you are a dealership that still had pending transactions that you were not able to submit by last night’s 6:00pm deadline, please let us know. Email Tammi McCoy and/or Tim Jackson below with the number of deals you were not able to submit and the reason(s) why.
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If you have questions on any legal or regulatory topic, please contact:
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
 
TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
Today marks the first meeting of the Transportation Legislation Review Committee (TLRC) at the Colorado Capitol. Under HB 1230, which was lobbied and promoted by CADA during the 2009 legislative session, the committee is charged with reviewing several aspects of the state and local sales tax collection process. They are:
(1) The accuracy and availability of state approved sales tax databases relied on by automobile dealers and retailers,
(2) the consistency of updates to the state approved sales tax databases;
(3) the efficiency of the collection of sales tax on the sale of motor vehicles for home rule counties and municipalities, and
(4) the number of occurrences that paperwork is returned to an automobile dealer or retailer due to inaccurate sales tax collection.
After their meetings this summer, the TLRC will make recommendations for legislation during the 2010 Legislative session. To see a copy of today’s TLRC meeting agenda, please CLICK HERE.
Please watch your fax and e-mail for a CADA member survey on your use of sales tax databases and how often title and registrations are bounced back to you due to inaccurate sales tax collection. Your participation in this survey is critical to us gathering the data we need to be most informed and effective at the Capitol on these particular issues. Thank you, as always, for your participation!
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PINNACOL ASSURANCE MEETING TO DISCUSS RATES
Earlier this month marked the second meeting of the Pinnacol Assurance interim committee, as required by SB 281 from the 2009 Session. The topic for this daylong meeting was rates, and more specifically, Pinnacol’s highly competitive rate structure. Witness after witness sang the praises of Pinnacol Assurance, providing the committee with a fantastic perspective on how well the company is operating, and is therefore able to offer its policyholder workers compensation rates that beat out most competitors. We owe a special “thank you” to Judy Nalow, HR Director for Medved Autoplex. She testified before the committee about Pinnacol’s premier customer service and the longevity of their staff and did an incredible job representing dealers. The next meeting of the Pinnacol Assurance interim committee is scheduled for Monday, Aug 31. At that meeting, the committee will hear from injured workers and their perspective of Pinnacol’s claim’s handling practices.
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CADA LOOKING FOR INTERN
Calling all students! Do you know a college student who wants to learn more about the automotive industry? Do you want to spend time at the Capitol and learn how laws are passed? Do you want to attend live tapings of media events? Then contact us!! CADA is seeking one intern for the summer and one for the legislative session, which begins in January. Please send all resumes to melissa.kuipers@coloradodealers.org and tim.jackson@coloradodealers.org by no later than Monday, Sept. 7. Please also include your hours and availability for the Fall semester.
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Questions or Comments? Please contact:
LIABILITIES, FRAUD, AND BACKRUPTCY - OH MY! WHAT'S A DEALER TO DO IN THESE TOUCH ECONOMIC TIMES?
 Presented by Crowe Horwath LLP, Compli, Fisher & Phillips LLP and CADA
Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009
Baur's Ristorante
1512 Curtis Street, Denver, 80202
11:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Registration
11:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Seminar and Lunch
Introduction by Tim Jackson, President of CADA
Moderated by Jamie Apt,
National Accounts Manager, Compli
Attendance is complimentary, but space is limited. RSVP is required.
CLICK HERE for a registration form and more information
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| Event Description |
Date/Time |
Location |
Liabilities, Fraud, and Bankruptcy - Oh My!
What’s a dealer to do in these tough economic times? Presented by Crowe Horwath LLP, Compli, Fisher & Phillips LLP |
Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009
11:00 am to 11:15 am Registration
11:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Seminar and Lunch |
Baur's Ristorante
1512 Curtis Street
Denver, 80202
Click here for a registration form and more information |
Employment Law WEBINAR:
Reducing Lawsuit Risks of Terminations and Staff Reductions
By Todd Fredrickson, top Denver employment attorney, Fisher & Phillips, LLP
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Archive of this webinar can be viewed any time |
Session was completed June 18, 2009
Click here for a registration form and more information (login information and slides provided upon registration)
-Includes detailed Q &A by those linked in on June 18th
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CADA Virtual Seminar: Manufacturer Bankruptcy: What it Means and
Proactive Steps for You to Prepare
Understand your rights and responsibilities in a bankruptcy proceeding
NOW AVAILABLE IN PRE-RECORDED FORMAT!
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Archive of this webinar can be viewed any time |
Session was completed May 1, 2009
-Includes detailed Q &A by those linked in on May 1st
Click here for a registration form and more information (login information and slides provided upon registration)
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CADA Virtual Seminar: Employer Requirements for New COBRA Subsidy
Speaker: Penny Wofford, Ford & Harrison LLP
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Archive of this webinar can be viewed any time
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Click here for a registration form and more information (login information and slides provided upon registration)
Session was completed April 7, 2009
-Includes detailed Q &A by those linked in on April 7th
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| Event Description |
Date/Time |
Location |
CADA Regional Member Briefings
- FULL LIST of location dates and times |
Eleven meetings for dealers across Colorado |
For more information www.coloradodealers.org/regionals
Attendees can register through CADA via Phone: 303.457.5123, FAX: 303.831.9100, or E-mail: rsvp@coloradodealers.org
* Please note different RSVP
for Colorado Springs and
Pueblo meetings. |
MDADA Annual Membership Meeting/CADA Regional Meeting
Denver |
Tuesday, Dec. 1
11 a.m.- Lunch Meeting (General Session)
Plan to arrive by 10:45 a.m. |
JW Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek
150 Clayton Lane
Denver 80206
Attendees can register through CADA via Phone: 303.457.5123, FAX: 303.831.9100, or E-mail: rsvp@coloradodealers.org
Complimentary valet parking
CLICK HERE to register online! |
| NADA Convention & Exposition |
Feb. 13-15, 2010 |
Orange County Convention Center, Orlando FL
CLICK HERE for more information from the official website. |
Denver Auto Show
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Wednesday, April 7, 2010
thru
Sunday, April 11, 2010 |
Colorado Convention Center
700 14th Street Denver 80202
CLICK HERE for more information. |
CADA 2010 Annual Golf Tournament
SAVE THE DATE! |
August 23, 2010
11:00am-11:45am Registration/Practice
12:00 Noon – Shotgun Start |
Lakewood Country Club
6800 W. 10th Avenue
Lakewood, CO 80214 |
CADA ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT WINNERS
On Monday, August 24th CADA held its annual golf tournament at the Glenmoor Country Club. Our thanks and appreciation go out to all those who participated to make this years event one of our best ever. We would like to extend congratulations to our winners:
1st place winners
Bob Amin, Phil Long Ford
JJ Susser and Jerry Susser, Mike Shaw Subaru
2nd Place winners
Jeff Carlson and Steve Nilsson of Glenwood Springs Ford
Bob Fuoco and Anna Maria Fuoco of Fuoco Motor Company
3rd place winners
Gregg Stone and Scott Mendelsohn, Kuni Lexus
Joe Sallacio, Denver Newspaper Agency
Dick McCoy, visiting from Nebraska.
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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 contact information for further follow-up.
THE AFTERFACT
- Last-minute clunker deals swamp auto dealers
CNN.com, August 22
Janet McBride had to send someone to fetch lunch for her Saturday. The cheerful auto dealer receptionist didn't dare leave her switchboard during the waning hours of the federal government's "Cash for Clunkers" program.
- Consumers hit 'clunkers' obstacles
The Detroit News, August 22
Pamela Neamonitis is finding the government program to trade in old cars for new is a bigger clunker than her 1998 GMC Savana conversion van.
- Toyota biggest beneficiary of clunker cash
The Detroit News, August 22
Detroit automakers continue to lose ground to foreign rivals in the latest tally of "cash for clunkers" sales.
- Cash for Clunkers over, dealers still get extension to submit sales
WZZM 13, August 25
The "Cash for Clunker" website couldn't be accessed for most of the day Monday.
- Glitches continue to last minute but dealers still delighted
Detroit Free Press, August 25
A flurry of last-minute cash-for-clunker applications Monday caused the government's computer to crash yet again -- giving more administrative headaches to dealers who've been complaining for weeks they aren't getting paid fast enough.
- Cash for Clunkers a Jolt for Car Sales, Not a Fix
Today's THV, August 25
Now comes the hard part for the auto industry - luring customers without big Cash for Clunkers discounts.
- Dealers Get More Time to File for Clunker Rebates
The Wall Street Journal, August 25
The $3 billion "cash for clunkers" program is a fraction of the $787 billion government stimulus, but it's offered a key lesson: enticing consumers to spend on big-ticket items can provide more bang for the buck than sending out checks.
- Small firms develop electric cars
The Detroit News, August 20
Coda Automotive employs 41 people. It has a headquarters in Santa Monica, Calif., but it doesn't have its own factory.
- GM listens, quickly kills new Buick
The Detroit News, August 20
General Motors Co. pulled the plug on a new Buick compact crossover, including a plug-in hybrid version, just days after the vehicle got critical reviews from groups essential to the automaker's success.
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