THE FRONT ROW
Manheim Seattle would like to thank our clients, both old and new, for your continued support and partnership.
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Your success is what drives us to continually grow, improve our processes, and support of our clients. You will begin to see part of that growth, as we remodel our lobby and front office area, to better serve you!
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Sale Schedule for April 2025
April 2nd – Highline Sale
April 9th – Wednesday Sale
April 16th – Wednesday Sale
April 21st – Monday Mobile Sale
April 23rd – Wednesday Sale
April 30th – Highline Sale
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Don’t forget to utilize your available Manheim Seattle coupons on the WSIADA client site. Contact Marketing to process.
THE FRONT ROW
The official magazine of the WASHINGTON STATE Independent Auto Dealers Association
707 Auburn Way South | Auburn, WA 98002 T: 253-735-0267 staff@wsiada.com | WSIADA.COM
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Badie Darwazeh, Board President Seattle Auto Haus | President@wsiada.com
Randy Fletcher, Board Vice-President
In-N-Out Auto Sales | VPresident@wsiada.com
Emil Scarsella, Board Treasurer
Town & Country Auto Sales | Treasurer@wsiada.com
J.T. Curry, Board Secretary Motors Northwest | Secretary@wsiada.com
Wasim Azzam, Chairman of the Board
All Right Auto Sales | Chairman@wsiada.com
CHAPTER PRESIDENTS
Tony Bonnallie – North Cascade Mission Motors | NoCascade@wsiada.com
Denis Costin – North Sound Independent Motors | NoSound@wsiada.com
Dominic Adams – South Sound Gene Pankey Motor Co. | SoSound@wsiada.com
Rachel Frankel - Vancouver
Top Auto Brokers | Vancouver@wsiada.com
Vacant Position – Yakima Yakima@wsiada.com
Vacant Position – Tri-Cities Tri-Cities@wsiada.com
Vacant Position – Spokane Spokane@wsiada.com
WSIADA STAFF
Rick Olson, Director of Operations
Mila Froman, Membership Manager
Mary Walton, Accountant
Lane Schulz, Retail Associate
Editor
Rick Olson, WSIADA Director of Operations
Production & Design
Professional Mojo
2025 | WSIADA
2 DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE: INDUSTRY UPDATE
The Trump Administration’s tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China are disrupting the $300 billion auto trade, affecting new and used car prices, parts availability, and independent dealers, while the Washington State Independent Auto Dealers Association acknowledges the departure of long-time Board member Ken Williamson and monitors legislative developments as the state grapples with a budget shortfall.
4 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: NAVIGATING 2025 - STRATEGIC GROWTH, FINANCIAL STRENGTH & THRIVING IN A CHANGING MARKET
6 CONVERSATION ABOUT CARS: TIPS TO HELP YOU AT AUCTION Successful car dealers begin with the end in mind, mastering the auction process to acquire the right inventory, as highlighted in an interview with Jeremy Carlson of Rolling Wheels and Chris Brown of Manheim Auctions, discussing strategies for auction preparation, bidding, vehicle evaluation, and avoiding costly mistakes.
8 THE HIDDEN RISKS OF NEW HIRES: WHY YEAR ONE IS CRITICAL FOR WORKPLACE SAFETY
One-third of workplace injuries occur within an employee’s first year, highlighting the need for industry-specific safety measures, stronger onboarding programs, and cultural shifts to protect new hires—challenges that KPA’s comprehensive safety solutions aim to address.
11 CARS RULE INOPERABLE
The 2-1 decision hinged on a technicality, that the commission failed to give advance notice of rule-making for the proposal.
12 BUY-SELL MARKET HEATS UP AS DEALERS FACE NEW CHALLENGES
Dealership acquisitions remain strong, but buyers are more selective amid shifting profits.
18 WSIADA DEALER MEMBERSHIP
Get on board and see the difference! Complete a membership application today.
19 READ & RESPOND QUIZ
Monthly quizzes offers one hour of continuing education credit toward the dealership’s required annual renewal.
