NADA Chairman’s Address

2022 NADA Chairman’s Address

MIKE ALFORD 2022 NADA CHAIRMAN

The National Automobile Dealers Association and its dealers reached major milestones in what has been one of the most complex times in our industry’s history. Franchised dealers from around the nation are standing strong in the face of a global pandemic, volatile market conditions, the evolution of EV technology, and an onslaught of challenges coming out of our nation’s capital. NADA has been proudly holding the front lines, and we couldn’t do it without the support and engagement of tireless dealer bodies like the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association. As we look toward the year ahead, we must continue to gain ground on our most critical issues of 2022.

NADA is helping dealers navigate a landscape filled with new federal mandates as we continue to move through the year. The amended Federal Trade Commission’s Safeguards Rule contains complicated new technical, procedural, and security requirements that dealers must undertake this year. NADA is developing comprehensive compliance guidance which we will publish in the coming months. Once published, I urge you to carefully review this information and reach out to your technology vendors to ensure you’re in compliance.

Dealer advocacy and participation is more important than ever. We need your voice, your phone calls and your emails to your elected officials throughout the course of the year. NADA is working to improve a new EV incentive program as part of the massive federal spending bill— because dealers know that these programs must work in the showroom and at the point of sale. As always, we’ll be fighting against harmful tax increases that hurt the nation’s auto and truck dealerships. We encourage you to engage with everyone, especially your members of Congress because these are battles we must win together.

Finally, when it comes to the EV debate, make no mistake that dealers are part of the solution! Despite what critics have said, franchised dealers are embracing the electric vehicle wave and we’re ALL IN. We are ready and eager to sell customers the vehicles they want. NADA has staunchly fought the conflation of electric vehicles and direct sales. Our goal is to present a solution to the government for its ambitions for an electric future, especially as these vehicles go beyond luxury and into the mainstream. NADA will continue to examine the internal and external challenges along the path to electrification, the motivations for prospective EV buyers, and how dealerships can best prepare for future EV sales with a data-driven approach.

LADA: We’ve become stronger and tougher from our experiences. No one knows this better than Louisiana’s dealership families who have worked so hard to re-build following Hurricane Ida. NADA is proud to support critical relief efforts through the NADA Foundation, and we stand in solidarity with all those affected by natural disasters.

2022 NADA Chairman’s Address

Dealers are process-oriented and we’ve always adapted our businesses through the winds of change. We’ve capitalized on a virtual world and have made the car-buying experience convenient and accessible for customers. Most of all, we’ve done a tremendous job protecting the health and safety of our employees, customers, and families. NADA has provided a constant stream of guidance and educational materials that have helped guide dealers since the pandemic began. I urge you to utilize NADA’s resources and visit our website often.

Having been an auto dealer since 1997, I can say this is truly a unique moment in our history. But one thing hasn’t changed: Our franchise system is still the most efficient and customer-friendly way to deliver automobiles to customers nationwide. There is more to come in 2022 and NADA will be here for dealers through it all. Fellow dealers, it’s my pleasure to serve you this year and I look forward to our work together!

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Preparing your Dealership for Winter Weather

The weather in Louisiana can change drastically over the course of just one day. January is typically the coldest month of the year with the average high between 54°F and 62°F and the average low between 33°F to 47°F. However, freezing temperatures can still occur into late March.i On February 15th and 16th of last year, South Louisiana experienced record low temperatures. The cold weather and wintery mix resulted in four (4) slip / fall injuries to dealership employees totaling over $38,000 in losses to date. Putting a winter weather plan in place could potentially prevent avoidable slip / fall injuries to staff which can also help prevent injuries to your customers as well.

7 Tips to Minimize the Impact of Winter Weather on Your Dealership  Establish a plan to monitor the path and intensity of storms, and how you will communicate with employees.

Louisiana’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (http://gohsep.la.gov/) can provide up to date winter weather disaster information.  Designate parking areas, entrances / exits, and passageways that the dealership can reasonably maintain in safe condition and communicate this information to employees via text message / email.  Put moisture absorbent mats, rugs, and runners at building entrances.  Arrange for a staff member or contractor to remove snow / ice and apply sand or salt, if necessary, along walkways, in dealership lots, and access roads.  Conduct periodic inspections of the property to identify hazardous areas, such as entrances and sidewalks. Pay particular attention to areas that will be in the sun for only part of the day and in the shade for the rest the day. A puddle in the sunlight could become a sheet of ice in the shade!  Consider suspending operations in high-risk outdoor areas (e.g., wash bays and detail) during these events.  Encourage staff to not leave the dealership property for breaks and lunch. If possible, this would be a good time to order delivery food (pizza, etc.).

Comprehensive winter weather guidance from OSHA can be found at https://www.osha.gov/winterweather/resources

For more information about workplace safety and health, please feel free to contact Risk Management Services’ Loss Prevention Department by email: (LossPrevention@rmsla.com) or phone 1-800-351 RISK (1-800-351-7475).

i Weather Atlas “January weather forecast and climate Louisiana USA”, https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/louisiana-usa-weather-january