6 minute read
President’s Message
News From the Front Seat
BLAIR QUALEY PRESIDENT & CEO, NCDA
Prepare for the most unique and exciting 100th anniversary Vancouver International Auto Show ever!
As we look ahead into the 2020 New Year and reflect on a decade that has now shifted into the rearview mirror, the New Car Dealers Association of BC is preparing for its biggest event in its history.
When you are given the opportunity and privilege of celebrating an incredible 100 years of the retail auto sector in BC, as well as the annual gathering of the best of global manufacturers and the technology that continues to change everything in our sector, you want to make sure you have the best people to help you and the most incredible selection of vehicles for our guests to see—both looking back 100 years but, more importantly, to the decades ahead. We are honoured to have the one and only Jimmy Pattison as our Honorary Chairman and Grand Marshal of the 100th show. We also have a passionate and talented NCDA Board of Directors and Auto Show Committee. This group is supported by our incredible NCDA staff team who make miracles happen every day, and a great auto show team with Heard Productions working to support the overall vision. So, we know we have the talent side covered very well!
On the vehicle side, our team has been working many long hours—in what has become a very challenging period for auto shows—to make sure we have an unprecedented collection of the most incredible
vehicles you will see under one roof in BC for another 100 years!
With competition and cost pressures increasing, vehicle manufacturers continue to battle for their lives, leading to the abandonment of several auto shows in Canada and their brands’ local fans. But we are looking forward to delivering the best auto show ever!
With unprecedented media interest, incredible special guests, fantastic vehicles, a wealth of information on the latest technology and vehicle features, an expanded CleanBC Go Electric Test Drive and a whole lot of fun, the 2020 VIAS is going to be something very special and unique.
This year’s show will kick off on opening day with a vehicle procession featuring cars from the past 100 years and led by Jimmy Pattison and other special guests, who will join us as we cut the ribbon to open the 100th anniversary show. Later that evening, we will throw a big opening party with a roaring ‘20s theme. Here, we will present awards in several categories and enjoy fine food and beverages with the best view of any auto show venue in the world!
I look forward to welcoming you to our very special 100th edition of the auto show —best auto show ever — taking place March 25 to 29 at the beautiful Vancouver Convention Centre West.
Member Survey Late in 2019, we engaged an independent
Jeff Hall Chairman HALLMARK FORD
Ryan Jones Vice-Chairman MARV JONES HONDA
James Carter Treasurer CARTER GM N. SHORE
Blair Qualey President & CEO NCDA
Jim Inskter Past Chairman
Mark Edmonds MCLAREN VANCOUVER
Justin Gebara COLUMBIA CHRYSLER RICHMOND
firm, Return on Insight (ROI), to survey our members on the issues that were important to them. (Details can be found on page 8.)
The results show engagement with the NCDA is high, and both Signals and our newsletter are well-read and well-received.
We were also able to identify the areas in which our members want us to focus on or continue focussing on (like the luxury tax) as we move into the new year. We are grateful to those members who took the time to respond to our survey and we are planning our activities and focus to make sure we are meeting the needs of our members.
Provincial Budget The provincial budget will be unveiled on February 18 and we will be in Victoria for the budget lock-up and related activities.
We look forward to the results of a formal review of the Luxury Tax commissioned by BC Finance Minister Carole James. As the only industry in which our members and their customers are subjected to an unfair luxury tax since the 1990s (and set when vehicle prices were much lower), it’s time for a serious adjustment to the tax. When you can buy a $1-million RV or boat and not have to pay any luxury tax, but folks needing a $57,000 pick-up truck in Northern BC have to pay a luxury tax. It’s just not right and it’s not fair.
We also look forward to a further commitment by the BC government to continuing incentives for the purchase of qualifying electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. With BC leading North America on the per capita adoption of electric vehicles, we need to continue the plan that works: purchase incentives for EVs that bridge the price differential with equivalent gas vehicles; strategic investments in public charging stations where people live, work and play; and ongoing investments and commitment to the education of consumers and EV dealer salespeople to insure everyone has the information they need to help make an informed purchase decision.
A Look Down the Road Ahead The first issue of Signals each year comes with an expectation that I will bring out my crystal ball and divine the future of our BC sector for the year ahead. Our industry has been fortunate to have many years of record-setting sales but, as a cyclical industry, this cannot always continue. To quote industry prognosticator Chuck Seguin, who authored the study commissioned by our national Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA), titled Driving the Road Ahead, A View into The Future Of Canadian Automobile Retailing, “Canadian auto dealers are coming off a 10- year period of improved prosperity. This is about to change. Automobile dealers are entering a period of reinvention led by consumer-enabled technology, empowered consumers and continuing advance
ments in retail and finance communities. There are headwinds on the horizon.”
There is no question that our sector is undergoing significant change. But as Chuck Seguin suggests in his study, “as populations grow and communities evolve, so will transportation needs. The number and types of Canadian dealerships will increase to meet increasing demand. There will be more dealership locations, many smaller, as remote stores and service outlets emerge.”
As I have experienced over the past 11 years, through economic downturns to record sales, BC’s new car dealers remain the most entrepreneurial, hardworking and smart business folks I have ever encountered. There is no question they have got this. I look forward to seeing how they evolve and adjust their businesses to make sure their customers have the best experience possible.
I look forward to sharing the exciting developments as we celebrate this incredibly vital sector at the 100th edition of the Vancouver International Auto Show. See you on the road ahead!
Blair Qualey President and CEO New Car Dealers Association of BC n bqualey@newcardealers.ca
Heather Headley Chair PACIFIC HONDA
John Wynia Past Chairman HARBOURVIEW VW
Marnie Carter Founding Chair CARTER AUTO FAMILY
James Carter Treasurer CARTER GM N. SHORE
Ryan Jones MARV JONES HONDA
David Jukes FIRST CANADIAN FINANCIAL GROUP
Moray Keith DUECK AUTO GROUP
