BRADSHAW TO DEALERS: NADA’S HERE FOR YOU

NADA chairman Bradshaw praises association staff.

February 3, 2007—Dealers don’t have to face the current inhospitable market alone, NADA chairman William Bradshaw told conventioneers at yesterday’s general session. NADA knows the profitability pains its members are feeling and is helping dealers nationwide with its “Lifeline to Profits” initiative.

More than 500 dealers have taken advantage of free phone consultations, and hundreds more have attended the Lifeline seminars held in 22 states to date.

Pooling the expertise of the consultants in NADA’s Dealer Academy and 20 Groups to help pull dealers from the brink “is a great example of how a national trade association can help support its members during tough times,” Bradshaw said. Dealers who attended the seminars have praised them for focusing on how to make their existing business more profitable without having to add more customers—something many retailers are finding almost impossible to do in the current market, he added.

Bradshaw also reminded the audience that dealers have faced even tougher times—think the 1930s—and survived. The same resilience and optimism that got them through then will get them through this.

As an example of resiliency and longevity, he presented NADA’s Century Award to Wegner Auto Company of Pierre, S.D., founded in 1907 by H.J. Wegner and currently run by his great grandchildren. “It is dealers like Jenny Wegner and her great grandfather who remind us that optimism and innovation can help us overcome any challenge,” Bradshaw said.

And not only have dealers sold more than 16 million vehicles annually for the past eight years, Bradshaw reminded attendees, but some experts predict sales of 20 million in the future. “So, after 100 years, our franchise system is alive and well and stronger than ever—and we’re ready to tackle the next 100 years.”

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