Up To Speed - Q3 2022

INDEX

Message from the President DEALERS ARE VITAL TO EV TRANSITION

As summer winds down, it seems like things in DC are ramping up. The Biden administration continues to push uninformed and illogical rules that could make the car-buying experience more costly, rigid, and time-consuming for the dealer while creating additional headache, time delays, and confusion for the consumer. It is clear the administration needs better insights before adding new rules. Or, as is the case for LIFO relief, use their power to do the right thing.

One such regulation would prevent dealers from selling customers products that provide no value (a term vaguely defined), ban them from running misleading pricing advertisements, and require them to offer additional pricing disclosures and a list of add-on products with prices online. It also puts confusing and likely onerous limits on how dealerships communicate with shoppers and adds bureaucratic burdens for consumers who choose to negotiate or purchase voluntary protection products.

Despite information that customer satisfaction has reached an all-time high, the FTC cited the need for the rule being consumer complaints. They also estimated the dealer cost of compliance would be between $1.4 to $1.6 billion over 10 years, a number that anyone in the car business will tell you is low, and they failed to cite what it will cost the consumer in time and money. Again, they need better insight.

Better insight must come from the local dealer. We often focus on the state level and have had much

success doing so (see many of my past articles pointing to the doc fee, warranty reimbursement and traditional franchise law defense as examples). That said, it’s time to focus our collective efforts and partner with NADA to offer insights into why these rules interfere with improvements made to dealer’s online processes and procedures and how some ill-informed agencies could take dealers back years in complicating what’s becoming a transparent and seamless process.

Better insight comes during the 2022 NADA Washington Conference where the largest grassroots gathering of automobile dealers occurs. There, we can educate our members of Congress to support good policy that streamlines a well thought out and transparent sales process that is good for the consumer. Not the ill-informed regulations currently being pushed. We can also seek support for the bi-partisan LIFO Relief Act. But the work does not stop there; we must commit to the mission back home.

We are a strong voice, and together we thrive! I look forward to working with all of you to continue to push good policy both that the state and national level.

Will H. Green LADA President/CEO | LADA-SIF Fund Administrator

LADA Chairman Address

MARSHALL HARPER

CHAIRMAN

I’m honored to be allowed to serve as LADA Chairman for the 2022-2023 session. It is a privilege to follow in the footsteps of so many admirable dealers and leaders, including my father Mike Harper (Chairman 1998-1999), in this position. We all owe a debt of gratitude to them for the strength and effectiveness of LADA. I am also honored to have a strong female force in the position of chairwomanelect, and I know that under her leadership, our future is bright. For these reasons and more, we are consistently recognized as one of the strongest dealer associations in the country.

As I write this, we are coming off one of the most well-attended and successful conventions LADA has ever hosted. The Grand in Fairhope was a wonderful venue and host for our group. I’d like to thank those that ensure all of our events run so smoothly, the staff of LADA: Katherine, Krystal, Fermin, and Will. I’d also like to thank all of those that attended, families included, and have supported LADA all these years. It’s the familial setting and atmosphere that makes these events and conventions so special and successful. It’s always a great time when friends and peers convene for fellowship, and I enjoy seeing the same familiar faces at all these events. I’d like to encourage all of you to bookmark the dates of June 21-24, 2023 for next year’s convention at the Hilton Sandestin.

We are well in to year two of the business and life disruptions initially caused by Covid with seemingly no end in sight. Supply chain issues, inflation,

absenteeism, etc. appear to be here to stay for the foreseeable future. Those coupled with the other “disruptors” in the industry continue to be the focus of myself and the LADA board as we seek to make the business of the dealers more efficient, more fulfilling, and more profitable.

We will continuously monitor the legislative sessions, both federal and state, to ensure that our interests are protected and strengthened. If there is anything I or LADA can do for you, I personally encourage you to reach out to myself, marshall@ harperminden.com, or Will Green, wgreen@lada. org. We are here to serve YOU, the dealer body. Thank you for allowing me to serve, and I look forward to another successful campaign of LADA.

Marshall J. Harper Harper Chevrolet-Buick GMC

MEDICAL

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

2022-2023

Executive Committee & Board of Directors

Lawrence S. Searcy, Jr. Walker Automotive Immediate Past Chairman

Marshall J. Harper Harper Motors Chairman

Kristie Hebert Arceneaux Ford Chairwoman-Elect / District 5

Patton Fritze Red River Chevrolet Treasurer / District 7

Richard Q. Flick Banner Automotive District 1-3

Mark A. Hebert Hebert’s Town & Country Ford Lincoln NADA State Director

Robert A. Grace Southpoint Volkswagen District 11-12

Hunter White White Ford Lincoln District 9

Allen O. Krake Supreme Automotive District 10

David Fabre Acura of Baton Rouge District 11-12

John R. Young John R. Young Buick Chevrolet GMC District 13

Corey Tarver Lake Charles Toyota District 14

Rand Alford Alford Motors, Inc. District 15

Scott Oliphant Kenworth of Louisiana District 17

Clint Hixson Hixson Autoplex of Alexandria District 16

Brett Oubre Lakeside Ford District 8

Robert N. Feron Courtesey Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC District 6

Lee Carney Geaux Automotive District 1-3

L. Keith Hanks Lakeside Toyota District 1-3

Brett Barker Terrebonne Ford District 4, NADA PAC Director

Heat illness / injury can occur almost anywhere with the high temperatures these days so do not overlook indoor heat exposures. OSHA has reported that heat illness cases have even occurred in indoor facilities, especially those with heat producing sources Areas such as Service Shops, Parts Warehouses, and Wash / Detail Bays could fall into this category.

General Pointers & Tips / for Heat Illness Prevention

• Ensure staff is drinking enough water and staying hydrated. Instruct staff to not wait until they are thirsty. Water and sports drinks are the most effective warm weather drinks.

• Provide air conditioned areas for breaks and lunch.

• Consider installing large fans to circulate air in these areas

• Wear light weight clothing or loose fitting clothing

• Protect yourself against sunburn. Sunburn affects your body's ability to cool itself. Wear sunscreen and sunglasses to protect your eyes and skin.

• Check on high risk staff members regularly.

• Stay informed. Watch your local news and weather for heat warnings

Monitor Those at High Risk

Although anyone at any time can suffer from heat related illness, some people are at greater risk than others:

• People 65 years of age or older

• People who are overweight.

• People who overexert during work

• People who are physically ill, especially with diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation

Train / Educate Staff & Management Team on Heat Illness

On April 8, 2022, OSHA announced a new National Emphasis Program Outdoor and Indoor Heat Related Hazards (Heat National Emphasis Program). The new enforcement initiative, which relies on the agency’s General Duty Clause authority, prioritizes heat related inspections on days when the heat index exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit and applies to both indoor and outdoor workplaces.

Make sure that your staff and department managers are trained on the signs & symptoms of heat illness. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html

If you have questions or seek additional information regarding Heat Illness or any other Safety & Health topic, please contact Risk Management Services’ Loss Prevention Department by phone at 1 800 351 7475 or by email (LossPrevention@RMSLA.com).

Membership Corner

THANKS FOR RENEWING! NOW, TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF YOUR LADA MEMBERSHIP

Are you taking full advantage of your LADA membership? We offer a wide array of services to help carry out our mission of promoting the automotive trade and enhance the operations of our member dealers. From access to our on-retainer labor & legal counsel to staying connected with your industry

peers to equipping your staff with our Accelerate Educational Webinar Series, LADA is here to be an extension of your dealership or company and help you grow and succeed.

2022 LADA Dealer of the Year

JOEL P. OUSTALET

LADA honored Joel P. Oustalet posthumously with its Dealer of the Year award during the LADA Annual Convention at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Ala., on June 25, 2022. Joel’s daughter Jolie accepted the award on behalf of their family.

“It was one of the highest honors of my career to present this award posthumously to Joel,” said LADA President Will Green. “Joel exemplified the Dealer of the Year award in all that he did, and we received an overwhelming number of nominations for him. That, coupled with the Board’s unanimous decision to elect him Dealer of the Year, reinforces not only the amazing dealer Joel was, but also the love he garnered as a person from his fellow dealers.”

An excerpt from Joel’s obituary states: Joel P. Oustalet’s business, fellow dealers, and employees

were his life! He was most passionate about serving his fellow Louisiana and national dealers. Joel was a Louisiana Auto Dealer Association Chairman, National Automotive Dealer’s Association Vice Chairman of Region II, and board member of Louisiana Dealer Services. He was honored to be named the National Automotive Dealer’s Association Director of the Year and the 2011 NADA Convention Chairman. Joel was chosen to represent fellow dealers on Ford National Dealer Council. He was instrumental in protecting dealers from many government regulations and wanted to preserve the industry for future generations.

Joel epitomized the best of us, and we are glad to further celebrate his legacy as the 2022 Louisiana Dealer of the Year.

2022 LADA Annual Convention

2022

Annual Convention

ADVERTISER INDEX

7 Blue Cross Blue

Breazeale, Sachse

20 BTR

05 Cox

12 Dealertrack

21 Fisher

11 Hannis T. Bourgeois,

20 HUB International

23 KPA

02 Louisiana Dealer

09 Risk Management

Will H. Green President wgreen@lada.org

Katherine Carver

Director of Events & Communications kcarver@lada.org

Krystal Hudson Meador Executive Assistant & Membership Director khudson@lada.org

Fermin Rodriguez Accountant frodriguez@lada.org