It is an absolute honor to serve as the chairman for the New Car Dealers Association. I also want to express my gratitude to our board of directors for the time they spend every month representing our dealers.

Each year in the automotive industry we are confronted with new challenges and adversity that we must face and endure. I have learned that we are much better off when we work together, which is why the NCDA was originally created.

As an association, we have many issues that are top-of-list for the coming year. This includes technician vulnerabilities such as shortages and training. We also hold training for dealers at the NCDA Building on a variety of topics that include state and federal laws, as well as local policies that affect our dealerships and customers.

We welcomed some new challenges this summer which affected many dealerships over the past few months, such as the cyberattack on CDK that halted business as well as the CrowdStrike code glitch. These were “uncharted territories” that very few of us had experienced in years past. We anticipate more of these crimes to continue over the coming years, and we need to be as ready and prepared as we can for them.

The NCDA is excited about the 2025 San Diego Auto Show, and it is vital that our brands and dealers support it. It is the best opportunity of the year to influence new car purchase decisions. We are really needing attendance from every general manager and dealer. Last year, I personally drove a few of my peers to the show who had been skeptical in years past that the show was worth the money. One peer said he had actually voted against it in his manufacture meeting, although his brand still attended the show. But after he saw all the people climbing in and out of his brand’s vehicles, he has changed his vote this year. Every year, without fail, I walk around the show, and I overhear the public complaining that they had a certain manufacturer that they wanted to see that wasn’t there, which will certainly influence their buying decisions.

In closing, I look forward to bringing new ideas to the association for the coming year, and I welcome dialogue with my fellow dealers about their ideas. Our newly appointed board members, along with our returning members, bring a tremendous amount of experience to the group. We learn from each other every meeting and we work as a team to tackle any issues that come at the dealers. We are a dedicated group and I’m proud to be surrounded by such talented individuals.

Sincerely,
John Segal
Chairman, New Car Dealers Association