Pub. 5 2016-2017 Issue 4

10 San Diego Dealer GETTING TO KNOW RICHARD NEWENDYKE How did you become a car dealer? Did you always aspire to be part of the automotive industry? Actually what I aspired to at the time I began my career in the auto industry was a free car. I loved cars, and I had heard that some dealerships provide “demos” to their sales staff, so with dreams of a new car swirling in my head, I walked into the Toyota dealership in Colorado Springs and asked for a job and a demo. I got the job. No “demo.” Do you have family members in the auto industry? My oldest son works in the auto industry in Colorado. Describe your education background. What did you study? I started college in Colorado, at the University of Colorado. What I learned about myself was this: I am a sales person, with an entrepreneurial soul. And what I really wanted to do was sell cars. Are there any specific individuals that had a major impact on your career? Yes, Larry H. Miller. He started from nothing and became very successful. He was just like the guy next door, very humble and unassuming. I found him very inspirational. What is the most rewarding part of your career? Giving back to others in this industry. Passing on the love of cars and this business to others. Getting into the franchise business is harder today than it was many years ago – don’t get me wrong, it’s never easy to start a business, but the barriers to get in are steep. If I can help someone, by mentoring them or providing opportunities, it’s a privilege. What do you see will be the domi- nant trends in the next 5-10 years? I believe that the internet portion of the purchase process will continue to grow. I suspect that all dealers see more and more customers coming in having done a significant amount of research. I think we can all agree that themajority of consum- ers are much smarter about the vehicle they are looking to buy today than ever before. I do believe that the sales cycle will shorten up, and that the expectations of a quicker delivery will increase. I think people will want a simpler process. I also am very excited about the technology. The “smart cars” are intriguing and the potential of defensive and safer driving is very interesting to me. I am very interested in seeing how the new cars and the older, beautifully restored cars will interface. It’s an exciting time to be in the auto industry. What are the most important bene- fits of being an NCDA member? I have been the beneficiary of this industry for the past 35 years. It’s groups like the NCDA that makes it possible for mentorship on a broader level to exist. There’s dealer groups, there’s educational opportunities and of course the “united voice” in the legislative process. An organization like the NCDA is especially important as it provides a common place for knowledge and support in building a better dealership. It’s the network of relationships that’s invaluable. Do you have past experiences that help your leadership in NCDA? I think so. I didn’t start at the top as a GM, and I didn’t come from a family-owned franchise. I started at the bottom selling cars. I advanced through the ranks by simply showing up and doing my job, every day, and learning from others, over the course of 20 or so years, before moving here to California and running this dealership. I think I have a natural ability to get along with people, but that may be because I naturally like people and I’m genuinely interested in what they have to say. 2017/18 NCDA Executive Committee. From L to R, Paul McKenna, Richard Newendyke, Owen Mossy & Mark Gruwell