DEALER NEWS & INFORMATION
REGULATORY & LEGAL UPDATES
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There was less ice in the Arctic Ocean last week than at any time in the 30 years it's been measured, researchers said Thursday.
Several times a year, CADA distributes copies of the Bulletin newsletter to our members. Each issue contains industry information, dates of upcoming seminars and events, and timely articles for auto dealers. The September issue was mailed earlier this week, or you can CLICK HERE to download a copy.
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Listed here are several articles pertaining to the auto industry that appeared recently in newspapers and other media outlets across the nation.
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Ritter to testify before Congress on global warming
KJCT
News 8, Sept.
18DENVER (AP) - Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter will testify before a House committee on global warming in Washington on Thursday.
Ritter, a Democrat who has pushed to make renewable energy a bigger part of the state's economy, will also participate in a panel discussion on the "Greening of America" sponsored by the Alliance to Save Energy.
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Colorado driving up emissions
Rocky Mountain News, Sept. 21
Coloradans are driving more than ever and increasing greenhouse gas emissions at a dramatic rate, according to a report released Thursday.
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Boulder researchers stunned by rapid retreat of Arctic Sea
Rocky Mountain News, Sept. 21 -
Colorado air panel looks to California program to curb car emissions
Rocky Mountain News, Sept. 21
California motorists will pay more for cars that emit less greenhouse gases, but they will come out ahead through energy savings, a Golden State official told a Colorado air-quality panel Thursday. The price of a passenger car will go up by $367 to meet California's 2012 standards and $1,064 to meet the even tougher 2016 standards, said Charles Shulock of the California Air Resources Board. "But it's important to note that cars that meet these standards are more efficient," he said.
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Carmakers turn "green" but is it a smokescreen?
driving.ca, September 2007FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Green is the colour at the Frankfurt International Motor Show as carmakers, with carmakers tripping over each other to make eyebrow-raising claims their vehicles are "clean" and environmentally friendly.
But is it all just a giant green smoke screen?
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Auto dealer uses software to track debt collections
The Wall Street Journal, Sept. 24
When Jessica Batugo joined Auto Town Pontiac GMC as its collections manager in the summer of 2005, she personally took on the daunting task of tracking down debtors -- with a lot of help from a software program.Auto Town, which runs five dealerships in Milwaukie, Ore., typically was selling 300 cars per month -- but 80% of the checks received as down payments bounced. The average check was for $1,000 to $2,000.
The 200-employee company had been outsourcing its bill collecting to a collection agency. But the agency charged half of the amount collected as its fee. "The profit went into the collection agency's pocket," says Ms. Batugo, 29. And the agency had recovered only 9% of the dealership's 1,800 delinquent accounts that had accumulated over two years.
CADA forwards news articles and opinion columns of interest through Open Road
to inform members of current events. These in no way reflect the views, opinions,
and/or positions of CADA or its member dealers. They are sent for informational
and educational purposes only.
GM RETIREMENT SOLUTIONS AT AN Impasse
By CAR lobbyist Jeremy Cottrell
One
week after the proposed
deadline between General
Motors and United Auto
Workers, the two sides
remain at a stalemate
regarding retiree health
care.
With neither side giving any ground, the present situation paints GM as asking for as much as a $5 an hour pay cut, higher medical co-pays for insurance, and likely plant closing and job cuts. Comparatively, UAW representatives rejected a proposal to fund a union-run trust to cover $50 billion in health care costs for nearly 500,000 workers.
Each side sees its perspective in a very distinct manner. GM views its offer of several billion dollars as a financially significant offer to solve a major hurdle before emerging back into a profitable and competitive automaker. UAW views the offer as a short-sided attempt to solve a long-term problem.
Until an attractive solution is reached, the possibility of a strike, which would affect not just GM but Ford and Chrysler LLC, continues to loom. Considering all of the “Big Three” automakers are in a state of reorganization, these negotiations are critical to the long-term health of both the domestic auto manufacturing picture, as well as the viability of a productive relationship between UAW and Detroit automakers.
Without a major concession from either side yet, negotiations are not expected to progress in the immediate future. Neither group appears willing to let the other side off without extracting what they see as just penance.
The ultimate outcome of these negotiations may further be impacted by stiff government mandates in the form of ultra-aggressive fuel efficiency standards, carbon emission mandates, and technological investments. Dollars spent on one category are dollars absent from another.
This tenuous relationship could solidify and allow both sides to emerge semi-victorious, or relations could deteriorate further, propelling the domestic auto landscape into a further state of gloom.
REMINDER: DEALERSHIP SHOULD
NOT RE-SELL A TRADE-IN
UNTIL THE SALE IS FINALIZED
Dealerships are reminded that state “deceptive trade practices” law precludes the re-sale of a trade-in before the customer has been approved for credit on the associated purchase. Continue to keep in mind that while all may seem to be in order (and 99.9% of the time it is), we hear from dealers now and then about financing that falls through when the finance company tries to verify employment, income or obtain other necessary information. In one case, the consumer bought a new car and quit his job two days later—apparently not realizing financing was not yet fully finalized. It is also worth taking note that this same statute defines any “guarantee” of financing before it is final to be deceptive as well, and “guarantee” is defined broadly to include “a written document or oral representation between the purchaser or lessee and the person selling or leasing the vehicle that leads such purchaser or lessee to a reasonable good faith belief that the financing of such vehicle is certain.” Notice that this includes any verbal comments and looks at things from the perspective of the consumer.
CLICK HERE to review the relevant statute C.R.S. 6-1-708. Motor vehicle sales and leases - deceptive trade practices.
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NEW WEB LINKS ADDED TO OPEN ROAD
NEW! Web links to the Colorado Department of Revenue – Auto Industry Division and to the Titles and Registration Section have been added to the left side-bar of Open Road under “State Government Resources." Various forms and other useful information are available on both web sites.
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EPA PROPOSES NEW HAZARDOUS EMISSIONS FOR BODY SHOPS
In an effort to cut down air toxics, including cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese and nickel, EPA has proposed a tough body shop hazardous emissions rule. Under the proposed rule, body shops would have to:
1. Paint only inside filtered, ventilated paint booths or prep stations.
2. Use high-efficiency application equipment.
3. Clean guns using non-hazardous solvents or gun-enclosed washers.
4. Have all painters trained and certified.
5. Make reports and keep records.
Also, any paint stripping involving methylene chloride (MeCl) will be significantly regulated, especially for shops using more than 150 gallons of paint stripper per year. Regulatory Affairs staff is reviewing the rule with input from a number of body shop managers to identify and address significant issues of concern. Comments will be filed with EPA by the October 17 deadline.
David W. Westcott
Chairman, NADA Regulatory Affairs Committee
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If you have questions on any legal or regulatory topics, please contact:
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Tim Jackson, President, tim.jackson@cadaonline.org, 303.282.1448
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Tammi McCoy, VP, tammi.mccoy@cadaonline.org, 303.282.1449
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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
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F&i RESOURCE CENTER: SALES ASSOCIATE TRAINING AND EDUCATION
CADA member dealers asked for it and
your CADA F&I Resource Center delivered!
Many CADA member dealers have recently pointed out not enough time is spent in training your sales associates in ways to help build a stronger hand off to F&I and to help your customers have the best possible purchase experience, both of which drive bottom-line profits. This two day course is exactly what is needed to cover these important areas and much more.
Sales Associate Training and Education
by Jan Kelly of Kelly Enterprises Inc.
Oct. 16-17 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days
William D. Barrow Building (CADA headquarters),
290 E. Speer Blvd, Denver 80203
Course Content and Purpose Covered by Jan Kelly of Kelly Enterprises Inc.
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Discover the necessary strategies and techniques to stay at the controls of the sales
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Address the sales cycle missteps that prevent good salespeople from making the sale.
Jan Kelly, president and principal consultant of
Kelly Enterprises Inc. will utilize her 25+ years of industry experience to train these important areas. Jan’s skills have been tested and sharpened by being an NADA approved and in-demand speaker for industry events like NADA, Dealer 20-Groups, and as a featured writer for industry publications such as F&I Management and Technology Magazine and AutoExec.
Day 1 Prospecting ~ Creative ways to expand your customer pipeline
Web Tracks ~ Turning cyber leads into brick & mortar customers
Phone Scripts ~ Increasing floor traffic with on-target messages
Day 2 Road to a $ale ~ 10 quick steps to the Sale and Success
Negotiation ~ Playing by the rules that let everyone win
Getting Results ~ the S•M•A•R•T approach to the numbers game
REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE to download the flyer and registration form or CLICK HERE to register online. Contact Chad Julius at chad.julius@cadaonline.org or 303.319.8039 for more information on this CADA member-only training. Reservations must be made by Friday, Oct. 5! Don’t delay…call today and reserve your spot!
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| Topics |
City |
Date/Time |
Location |
|
Sales Associate Training and Education by Jan Kelly of Kelly Enterprises Inc. |
Denver |
Tuesday, Oct. 16 and
Wednesday,
Oct. 17 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days |
William D. Barrow Building (CADA Headquarters) 290 E. Speer Blvd, 80203 (SW Corner of Grant/Speer) CLICK HERE to download the flyer and registration form or CLICK HERE to register online. For more information, contact Chad Julius at 303.319.8039 or chad.julius@cadaonline.org |
|
Adverse Action Notices: What You Need To Know NADA Webinar |
Online |
Tuesday, Oct. 23 11 a.m.-1 p.m. MST (1-3 p.m. EST) |
CLICK HERE to register. The fee is $199 per computer connection. Email any questions to seminars@nada.org or call 703.821.7273. |
| Event Description | Date/Time | Location |
|
CADA Regional
Meetings
_______
MDADA |
Ten meetings
CLICK HERE for a
full list of meeting
locations, dates and
times and to register
online.
Tuesday, Nov. 27
lunch included |
rsvp@cadaonline.org
* Please note different RSVP for Colorado Springs and Pueblo meetings. _______
Cherry Hills Country
Club
Attendees can register
through |
|
NADC (National Association of Dealer Counsel) Fall Workshop |
Oct. 15-16 NADC membership required CADA strongly encourages membership in NADC. |
Hermitage Hotel, |
| NADA 91st Annual Convention & Expo | Feb.9-12, 2008 |
Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA |
|
Denver International
Auto Show |
March 26-30, 2008 | Colorado Convention Center, Denver |
| CADA Golf Event |
Monday, Sept. 8, 2008 |
Columbine Country Club 17 Fairway Lane Columbine Valley, 80123 |
voice of o'meara ford draws fans of her own
Bonnie Murray
has been the
voice - the very
distinctive
voice - for
O'Meara Ford for
the past 30
years, appearing
in ads and TV
commercials.
Murray, who serves as the company's marketing director and advertising manager, draws attention with her throaty, sped-up Southern drawl. She's got her own link on the dealership's Web site, where there are video clips of past commercials she's starred in and glamour shots, circa 1978, that can be downloaded. In one 1982 commercial, she's pitching what was then a very low interest rate of 6 percent.
These days, Murray can be seen in print advertisements wearing a cut-out, quite revealing black dress, pitching customized muscle cars.
We tried calling her this week to talk about her three decades in both the car and advertising business, but her (throaty) voice mail was full - an apt testament to her longevity.
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Colorado
Retailers Go
Green
The Denver
Post,
Sept. 20
Dozens of
Colorado
retailers have
made moves
toward energy
conservation and
independence,
and now Burt
Automotive Group
is going
full-tilt with a
new green
dealership and
REI is in the
final stages of
finishing its
new prototype
green store
in
Boulder.
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Have you or anyone else at your dealership won an award
recently? Has 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@cadaonline.org. Also include your contact
information for further follow-up.