As your incoming Chairman of the New Car Dealers Association Board of Directors, I am honored and excited to serve the San Diego County new car dealer community over the next year in this new role. During my time on the Board of Directors so far, I’ve seen firsthand just how valuable our association is and how much work is done on behalf of dealers.

San Diego County’s franchised new car dealers are confronting a future of unprecedented change as we face new and ongoing challenges related to the franchise system, regulatory compliance and shifting consumer demands, just to name a few. We operate complex businesses, and the New Car Dealers Association remains at the forefront of the issues and challenges confronting us today and into the future.

If you don’t already, I strongly recommend you take time to connect with representatives from your district. It is imperative that we stay engaged with our local officials so they continue to understand the importance of your business to the region’s economy and the vital role your dealership plays in the short and long-term economic health of their districts.

Planning is well underway for the 2024 San Diego International Auto Show, which will take place December 29-January 1 at the San Diego Convention Center. The auto show truly is our best opportunity of the year to engage with the car-buying public as they explore the many makes and models available in the market.

After two years without an auto show, our attendee survey confirmed just how much influence the show continues to have on consumer purchase decisions. By a wide margin, attendees rank the auto show as more important than any other marketing channel when it comes to choosing which vehicle to buy. And as we move toward an all-electric future, the auto show will only increase in importance to dealers, as the attendee data related to EV interest and intention reveals.

It’s also important to remind ourselves that the auto show is the primary revenue generator for the association as a whole and funds the many wonderful benefits we’ve come to enjoy and expect. As such, it is imperative that dealers fully support the show by ensuring as many brands as possible are on display.

I look forward to representing our association and collaborating with my fellow board members, the NCDA staff and the nearly 120 San Diego County franchised new car dealer members to ensure a bright future for our industry. I encourage you to reach out to me or any of the NCDA board members with any challenges or ideas you might have.

Sincerely,
Chris George
Chairman