By Jasen Powell, Chairman
One year ago, we couldn’t have imagined how the looming global pandemic would impact our lives and businesses. From a business perspective, we all had to implement significant operational changes and make difficult decisions over the past 12 months. Thankfully, throughout the pandemic, our New Car Dealers Association (NCDA) has provided San Diego County new car dealers with timely and important guidance to help us remain compliant with ever-changing rules and standards. Although life likely won’t return to a pre-pandemic normal any time soon, there is light at the end of the tunnel as COVID-19 cases decline throughout California and vaccines achieve widespread distribution.
Throughout the year, the NCDA, in cooperation with the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA), has continued to represent new car dealers’ interests in Sacramento by monitoring and influencing legislation that may impact dealer business, including challenges to franchise laws. As part of the process, we as dealers may be called upon to voice our concerns and thoughts directly with legislators to provide the most effective results. One of the best opportunities to do this is the upcoming CNCDA Dealer Day, a virtual event on Apr. 21. Included in the program are a policy briefing, guest legislators, and an opportunity to meet with your representatives to urge their support on key dealer issues.
One significant casualty of the Coronavirus pandemic was the 2021 San Diego International Auto Show. The NCDA canceled after careful and extensive consideration of the health risks and logistical challenges posed by COVID-19. However, the auto show team is already hard at work planning the 2022 edition of the auto show, scheduled for Dec. 30, 2021-Jan. 2, 2022.
The auto show remains the most effective tool we have to create a lift in dealership traffic, generate valuable sales leads, influence new vehicle purchase decisions and dominate local media.
As you’ll read in this issue, the auto show remains the most effective tool we have to create a lift in dealership traffic, generate valuable sales leads, influence new vehicle purchase decisions and dominate local media with news stories about the latest and greatest new cars, trucks and SUVs available to consumers. In addition to this direct benefit to dealers, the auto show also provides the NCDA with the resources necessary to offer dealers the valuable benefits we all enjoy all year long. Consequently, it is vital that all San Diego County new car dealers support the auto show to ensure our collective success moving forward.
As we enter the second quarter of 2021, I continue to be excited to work with my fellow board members to revitalize our economy, strengthen franchise protections and prosper together. I am honored to be of service to my dealer counterparts and welcome your feedback or questions any time.
