Susan Cafiero, a sales representative for Avalon Honda in Cape May Court House, N.J., received Cox Automotive’s inaugural Breakthrough Leader of the Year Award on Monday.
Cafiero accepted the award at a luncheon during the Women in Automotive Conference in Orlando, Fla. She was selected from nominees who met criteria including being a woman with fewer than five years of automotive experience and one who has made significant and measureable contributions to help advance the automotive industry.
Nominated by her manager, Cafiero was selected based on her stellar performance as a sales representative. After joining Avalon Honda in January 2014, she became one of the leading sales representatives of Avalon and earned the Honda Council of Sales Excellence Silver Award for customer and sales satisfaction. In 2015, she earned recognition as Avalon’s Sales Person of the Year, winning by more than 100 sales, and received the Honda Council of Sales Excellence Gold Award for customer and sales satisfaction.
Cafiero, who previously enjoyed an award-winning career in real estate, joined Avalon Honda after Hurricane Sandy destroyed the real estate office where she worked.
“A home and a car are the two largest purchases consumers make in their lifetimes, so Susan brought the right level of sales and customer service experience and initiative to succeed in the automotive industry,” said Tom Houston, business manager of Avalon Honda.
“Instead of waiting on a customer to walk in the door, she hit the phones to call previous dealership customers and develop a pipeline. Now, in addition to being the sales leader, Susan is the go-to person for technical questions about today’s vehicles,” Houston continued. “Female customers love working with her because she has their best interests at heart. And, she empowers women and men alike with the tools and resources they need to make informed purchasing decisions.”
Cafiero continues to lead the Avalon Honda in sales and satisfaction while staying active in her community and attending sports, school and community functions with her three children.
“Cox Automotive is committed to recognizing leaders like Susan Cafiero, who bring different backgrounds, ideas and perspectives to the automotive industry,” said Jason Brooks, director, Global Diversity and Inclusion, Cox Automotive.
“Susan’s ability to break into the automotive industry through a nontraditional career path is impressive. Susan has successfully transferred her consultative sales approach to cultivate valuable long-term relationships that will pay dividends for years to come. Along with hundreds of like-minded leaders at the Women in Automotive Conference, we are privileged to celebrate Susan’s excellence in customer and sales satisfaction,” Brooks went on to say.
Avalon Honda, part of the Burns-Kull Automotive Group, has been serving south New Jersey since 1970.
When dealerships, finance companies and automotive experts discuss how much better vehicles are nowadays compared to 10 or 20 years ago, it’s not just a possible sales pitch or industry rallying cry.
With a South Korean badge leading the way, the J.D. Power 2016 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS) released on Wednesday showed that new-vehicle quality improved 6 percent, doubling the 3 percent rate of improvement in 2015 and registering the largest increase since 2009.
To recap, the study, now in its 30th year, examines problems experienced by vehicle owners during the first 90 days of ownership. Initial quality is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality.
Analysts determined quality improved across all eight problem categories measured in the study, with 21 of the 33 brands included in the study improving their quality in 2016 and one remaining the same.
“Manufacturers are currently making some of the highest-quality products we’ve ever seen,” said Renee Stephens, vice president of U.S. automotive quality at J.D. Power.
“Tracking our data over the past several years, it has become clear that automakers are listening to the customer, identifying pain points and are focused on continuous improvement,” Stephens continued. “Even as they add more content, including advanced technologies that have had a reputation for causing problems, overall quality continues to improve.”
J.D. Power shared an infographic with further details, which can be found here.
Three other key findings for the latest study included:
• U.S. domestic automakers show strong improvement: For just the second time in the 30-year history of the study, U.S. domestic brands collectively have lower problem levels than all their import counterparts combined.
J.D. Power found that all three U.S. domestic automakers post year-over-year quality improvements. The “Detroit Three” achieve a combined average of 103 PP100, improving 10 percent from 2015, which is double the improvement rate of the import brands at 106 PP100.
The last time U.S. domestic brands outpaced imports was in 2010, when they held a 1 PP100 advantage (108 PP100 vs. 109 PP100, respectively).
• Non-premium brands have fewer problems: For the first time since 2006, non-premium brands have fewer problems (104 PP100) than premium brands (108 PP100).
• High quality equals high loyalty: Expected reliability remains the most important consideration when purchasing a new vehicle, cited by 49 percent of owners.
J.D. Power has studied consumer behavior from when they purchase or lease their new vehicle through when they are back in the market for their next vehicle in order to measure the impact initial quality has on brand loyalty. Among owners who experience no problems with their vehicle in the first 90 days, 54 percent stay with the same brand for their next vehicle.
Analysts mentioned loyalty drops to 50 percent among owners who experience one problem with their vehicle and to 45 percent among those who experience three or more problems.
“There is a direct correlation between the number of problems a customer has with their new vehicle and the decisions they make when it comes time to purchase or lease their next car or truck,” Stephens said. “While a small drop in actual loyalty may not sound like much, a percentage point drop in share can mean millions of dollars in lost revenue to an automaker.”
Highest-ranked nameplates and models
J.D. Power indicated Kia ranked highest in initial quality with a score of 83 PP100, the first time in 27 years that a non-premium brand has topped the rankings. It is also the second consecutive year that Kia, which ranked second in 2015, has led all non-premium makes in initial quality.
Porsche (84 PP100) ranked second among nameplates, followed by Hyundai (92 PP100), Toyota (93 PP100) and BMW (94 PP100).
Chrysler and Jeep were the most improved brands, each reducing the number of problems by 28 PP100 from 2015.
General Motors received seven model-level awards, followed by Toyota with six and Hyundai and Volkswagen each with four.
Of note among the specific models honored:
• GM models that rank highest in their respective segments are the Buick Cascada, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Silverado HD, Chevrolet Silverado LD, Chevrolet Spark, Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Terrain.
• Toyota models that rank highest in their segment are the Lexus CT, Lexus GS, Scion tC, Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla and Toyota Highlander.
• Hyundai models that rank highest in their segment are the Hyundai Accent; Hyundai Azera, Kia Soul and Kia Sportage.
• Volkswagen models that rank highest in their segment are the Audi Q3, Audi TT, Porsche Macan and Porsche 911.
The 2016 U.S. Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than 80,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2016 model-year vehicles surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study is based on a 233-question battery organized into eight problem categories designed to provide manufacturers with information to facilitate the identification of problems and drive product improvement. The study was fielded from February through May of this year.
For more information about the 2016 U.S. Initial Quality Study, visit this website.
DRIVIN recently was recently awarded Best New Startup at the 2016 Moxie Awards, hosted by Built In Chicago. The Moxie Awards, now in its fifth year, honors Chicago’s most innovative digital tech companies and celebrated the year’s innovation, success and hard work by recognizing leaders across multiple categories within the industry.
Chief executive officer Kayne Grau of the company that provides a service for dealers that utilizes data to help sell, source, acquire and deliver quality used vehicles, also was a finalist for the CEO of the Year Award. These recognitions highlight the rapid growth DRIVIN has experienced during the past year.
In addition to growing to 75 employees in just 10 months, DRIVIN now operates nationwide, with dedicated sales executives in five markets. Transactional value has also grown by 1,037 percent year-over-year with continued positive momentum.
“We’re honored to be selected as the Best New Startup in Chicago,” Grau said. “The growth and talent happening in Chicago right now is truly staggering, and we could not be more proud to be recognized alongside the city’s top digital technology companies and innovative leaders.
“This recognition is a direct reflection of the hard work and determination of our team over the last year as we continue to disrupt an industry in need of change and provide real value to our dealer partners,” Grau continued.
Also among the finalists for Best Consumer Web Startup was Carlease.com, which touts itself as a company offering retail and commercial clients throughout the country “great prices” on new-vehicle leases of any make and model, and a “pain-free” leasing experience. At Carlease.com, customers can research and configure vehicles, request quotes, place orders and schedule at-home delivery “all from the convenience of their home or office without ever having to step foot in a dealership.”
At the 2016 Moxie Awards, more than 7,000 nominees were narrowed down to 70 finalists, spread across 14 categories. The 14 winners were then selected by a combination of public voting and a panel of leaders within the technology community.
Nominees were judged on their growth, innovation and ability to promote entrepreneurship and technology in Chicago.
As NIADA installed a South Carolina operator as its newest president, Scott Lanier, owner of Credit Cars in Orlando, Fla., was selected as the 2016 National Quality Dealer of the Year by the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association during the 70th anniversary Convention and Expo last week in Las Vegas.
NIADA officials highlighted Lanier was chosen from the 20 state Quality Dealers nominated for highest honor given among NIADA’s dealer members.
NIADA National Quality Dealer candidates are judged on a variety of factors, including contributions to the automotive industry, the association and community involvement.
This year’s winner was chosen by a selection committee made up of some of the most distinguished names in the used-vehicle industry. The committee included:
—NIADA director of dealer development Joe Lescota
—National Auto Auction Association chief executive officer Frank Hackett
—Cox Automotive Financial and NextGear Capital president Brian Geitner
—Automotive Finance Corp. president and CEO John Hammer
—NADA Used Car Guide vice president and general manager Mike Stanton
—Black Book vice president & North American auction director Tim West
—2013 National Quality Dealer Joe McCloskey of McCloskey Motors
—Northwood University chairman automotive marketing department Elgie Bright
Lanier has been a member of NIADA's affiliated Florida association for 47 years, not long before his father, Johnnie, was named FIADA’s State Quality Dealer in 1970.
When Johnnie Lanier unexpectedly passed away in 1981, Scott Lanier suddenly found himself running the family business at age 24. In his acceptance speech, an emotional Lanier dedicated the award to his late father.
“I knew I could do the job and failure was not an option,” he said, “so I decided to continue on. That was 35 years ago.”
Throughout those years, Lanier has shown a commitment to hard work and continuing education and was an early innovator in the buy-here, pay-here industry.
In 1988, he was one of the first BHPH dealers in the nation to create a related finance company, which today has become an industry standard. His BHPH business now employs 30 staff members.
Dealer education is a particular passion of Lanier's. He became “a student of my business,” attending conventions, seminars and workshops, and joining a dealer 20 Group. His motto, he says, is "Never stop growing and improving."
Lanier willingly shares that information, appearing as a panelist in compliance training sessions. He's been involved in all aspects of dealer training, including sales, collections, compliance, asset management, accounting, service and real-world training.
And, of course, he’s still learning, as just this year he became an NIADA Certified Master Dealer.
Lanier supports a variety of charitable causes in his community, serving as a sponsor of Quest Kids (which provides support and therapy for autistic children) and the Rotary Club, and contributing to the Edgewood Children's Ranch, CCA Angel Tree, Ducktoberfest and more. He’s also a Sunday school teacher and an Awana leader, and has spoken at prisons on behalf of his church.
Lanier enjoys an excellent reputation in the community, where his customers have been treated “like family since 1963.”
Threadgill now NIADA president
Billy Threadgill, president of Van’s Auto Sales in Florence, S.C., opened his term as NIADA president for 2016-17 by receiving the President’s Ring during last week’s national leadership awards banquet at Convention and Expo.
Threadgill, who succeeds Frank Fuzy of Florida, said in his address at the banquet he is focused on making sure dealers understand the value of NIADA membership.
“I often get asked about the value of joining the NIADA and the state IADAs,” he said. “I give them the facts; once they are a member, the benefits are endless.
“For example, the NIADA Convention. It doesn’t matter if you are a traditional used car dealer, a buy-here, pay-here dealer, a lease-here, pay-here dealer, in the rental business or a wholesaler, the education from this conference can only make you want to be a better and more successful dealer.”
Threadgill, 59, is a second-generation dealer, operating the dealership opened by his father Van on March 12, 1975 — though he actually began his career in the auto industry at age 7. That’s when Van, then working for a Ford franchise, put Billy to work washing cars, sweeping the lot and the office, and sifting cigarette butts out of the sand in the ashtrays.
“And I did the flower beds,” Threadgill said.
His job description has changed a bit since then — in addition to his sales operation, he also runs a related finance company, a U-Save auto rental franchise and a subsidized transit company that provides transportation to and from work for federal employees. And he has a third generation — his son, Michael — working at the dealership as secretary-treasurer.
Threadgill has been on the NIADA executive committee since 2009, serving as secretary, treasurer, regional vice president, senior vice president and president-elect. He is also a past president of the Carolinas IADA and a former chairman of the NIADA State Presidents Council.
Others honored at the ceremony included NIADA Association Executive of the Year Lisette Mariner of the Florida IADA and MVP Eagle Award winner Dennis Pope of People's Financial.
The association also gave 16 Crystal Eagle Award winners, including:
—Darla Booher of Deal Depot
—Kim Bradshaw of First Nations Auto Sales
—Martha Brown of Dealers Risk Insurance
—Marty Coates of Coates & Associates
—Will Davis of G&B Auto Sales
—Luke Godwin of Godwin Auto Sales
—Darryl Jackson of Crown Auto Sales and Finance
—Steve Matthews of Matthews Motors
—Kevin Pendergrass of Carolina Auto Sales of Myrtle Beach
—Dennis Pope and Glen Reeves of Reeves Insurance Associates
—Julie Colgate of Independent Dealers Advantage
—Roy Daniel of Automotive Dealers Finance
—Mark Brown of Red Carpet Auto Sales
—Ahmed Belmeshkan of New Rio Grande Motors
—Wayne Meagher of MD Auto Sales
The Crystal Eagle is awarded in recognition of their outstanding effort in generating new members for NIADA.
The MVP Eagle, awarded for the first time this year, honors the individual who recruited the most new members during the association’s “Let the Games Begin” membership campaign during the past year. Pope sponsored 227 new members.
Strategic Vision put it this way: The signs are clear. America is back
After almost a decade of lopsided defeats, American manufacturers have prevailed over imports for the second time in four years, according to the latest results of Strategic Vision’s Total Quality Impact (TQI) measure.
Those results released on Thursday indicated that vehicles from Ford, General Motors, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and Tesla combined for 16 winning models, compared to 15 winning models from abroad.
Strategic Vision senior vice president Christopher Chaney said the victory for domestic OEMs was close, but significant. He said the journey to the top did not happen by playing it safe as manufacturers took bold, innovative, game-changing risks with several models that ended up winning Total Quality Awards this year.
“We see time and again that for consumers, innovation does more to communicate quality than an absence of problems does,” Chaney said.
“Whether it comes in the form of breakthrough technology (Tesla Model S, Chevrolet Volt, Ford C-MAX Energi), re-engineering a vehicle (Ford F-150), or creating a new model (with the resurrected GMC Canyon), consumers feel the positive impact of bold new directions taken by manufacturers,” he continued.
“The future of quality that is meaningful to buyers will reach beyond ‘no squeaks and rattles’ and reside in the successful deployment of engineering innovation and technology that is relevant, intuitive, and impactful,” Chaney went on to say.
More commentary about Ford F-150
When Ford announced plans to put an aluminum body on their signature product, Strategic Vision recalled that many in the industry were cautious or skeptical. Since then, analysts determined F-150 buyers have largely put those concerns over the truck’s quality to rest.
An abundance of data from the New Vehicle Experience Study (NVES) showed that the truck’s aluminum body does not detract from the driver’s impression of its durability. In fact, the sense of security that the vehicle provides actually increased when Ford made the switch to aluminum.
Strategic Vision president Alexander Edwards mentioned the lighter frame also improves economic factors such as fuel economy and cost of ownership, while adding other important benefits over the competition such as increased acceleration.
“Some auto manufacturers are hoping that attack ads on the Ford F-150 will convince shoppers of the lack of quality, hoping for similar success in election commercials,” Edwards said.
“However, the Ford F-150 has provided a quality product combined with a strong positive emotional experience that makes it a leader,” he continued. “Ford buyers will continue to cast their vote with the F-150.”
Talking about Tesla
Strategic Vision pointed out the Tesla Model S was again rated as the highest quality vehicle in the entire industry. Analysts stressed the electric performance car consistently reinforces the fact that according to consumers, quality is far more than simply a lack of problems.
Strategic Vision director of marketing Karl Miller acknowledged the Model S does have its share of minor issues, but the innovation and excitement of the product overpowers any lasting negative feelings regarding those issues.
“Even the way Tesla fixes problems often turns a product drawback into a benefit,” Miller said. “To be able to fix problems and add features through a software download overnight instead of a trip to the dealer is a powerful tool.
“In many cases, it actually enhances their confidence in the product more than if the problem had never existed in the first place,” he went on to say.
Other industry notes
Strategic Vision mentioned Asian products generally did well in the more value-related categories. Subaru in particular had a strong showing, tying with Buick as the Best Mass-Market Brand and taking home Total Quality Awards for both the WRX and the XV Crosstrek.
Analysts said the luxury-oriented segments saw a healthy dose of European winners. BMW, which was the Best Luxury Brand, has “hit its stride” with its hatchback and crossover offerings.
“The 3-Series Gran Turismo, X4, and X6 all won Total Quality Awards, and the X1, X3, and X5 were near the top of their segments,” Strategic Vision said.
To see the full list of Total Quality Award winners, go to this website.
American University’s Kogod School of Business released the 2016 Kogod Made in America Auto Index that is geared to provide consumers with what researchers called a more accurate picture of the production process for the most popular vehicles on the road today.
According to the index developed by Kogod professor Frank DuBois, an expert in global supply chain management, the most American-made 2016 models include the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia.
“A vehicle’s domestic manufacturing composition plays a key role in determining its overall impact on the American economy,” DuBois said. “This knowledge empowers consumers and automakers alike to make better economic decisions about where a vehicle is made, and which cars offer the greatest commercial benefits to the country.”
The Kogod Made in America Auto Index evaluates and ranks 338 models based on country of origin, the American Automobile Labeling Act (AALA), as well as unaddressed AALA factors. The university said DuBois’ method improved on the AALA data by incorporating a more comprehensive research methodology that includes the following seven points derived from publicly available data:
• Profit margin
• Labor
• Research and development (R&D)
• Inventory, capital and other expenses
• Engine
• Transmission
• Body, chassis, and electrical components
According to DuBois, those factors constitute a true “made in America” index, because the American-made label can only reflect a percentage of a product’s content due to the global supply chain operating reality of the entire automotive industry.
Also, DuBois argued that the AALA is meant to help consumers “buy American,” but the data it provides is limited. Since the 1994 passage of the AALA, automakers have been required to affix a label documenting the percentage of “American” content in each vehicle sold in the U.S.
While DuBois acknowledged this data is useful, he pointed out there are notable inaccuracies, including:
• Canadian and U.S. content are not disaggregated.
• Automakers can “round up” individual parts content from 70 to 100 percent to calculate domestic content.
• Cars with very little U.S. content may be allowed to use labels from vehicles with higher U.S. content if they are part of the same carline.
The university explained the Kogod Index takes into account the ancillary impact auto vehicle manufacturing has on the U.S. economy. It can provides a better indication of the real economic impact auto purchases have on the country based on where the vehicle is designed, assembled, and sold.
In 2015, of the 17.5 million vehicles sold in the U.S., researchers found approximately 65 percent were produced in the United States. That same year, the auto industry directly employed approximately 1.55 million workers and supported an additional 5.7 million jobs in repair shops, part supply stores, and dealerships.
“The Auto Index shows that vehicles produced by automakers headquartered in the U.S. rate higher overall, mainly because profit derived from their sale is more likely to return or remain in the United States and a majority of American companies’ R&D activities are located in the U.S.,” DuBois said.
“However, there are some surprises this year; the Honda Accord (Honda is headquartered in Tokyo) ranked 19th last year, moved up to the fifth place with 81 percent domestic content.”
To view the complete 2016 Kogod Made in America Auto Index, visit this website.
The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association has named Auction Direct USA chief executive officer Todd Hoagey its inaugural NIADA CPO Dealer of the Year.
Hoagey was presented the award Wednesday during the National Leadership Awards Banquet at the association’s convention.
NIADA said the award spotlights, “the quality of dealership operations, the vehicle certification process, the number of CPO vehicles sold and the dealer's commitment to providing a better product and level of service to his customers and the community.”
Auction Direct had three of the top four dealerships for NIADA CPO last year, including the top-ranked Raleigh, N.C., store.
The Rochester, N.Y., store ranked third and the Jacksonville, Fla., location came in fourth.
“Todd is committed to excellence, quality and customer service," Chris Murphy, senior executive vice president of Warrantech, the NIADA CPO program's administrator, said in a news release. “He has a well-rounded approach to implementing the CPO program into all facets of his dealership operations.
“Starting with service and moving into the sales process, the NIADA CPO program has shifted the culture in his dealerships. That shift can be seen in the marketing and advertising he does to separate his dealerships as best-in-class CPO facilities, which has helped him gain critical market share at all of his locations,” Murphy said.
NIADA CEO Steve Jordan said: “Todd has excelled in business, winning numerous awards thanks to his customer-centric business model. We're proud to honor him with this inaugural award. He exemplifies the best of the best among the dealers who are leading the way in offering the NIADA CPO program to their customers.”
Cox Automotive joined the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association to present the sixth annual NIADA and Cox Automotive Community Service Award to Boise, Idaho-based Fairly Reliable Bob’s Inc. during the 70th NIADA Convention and Expo in Las Vegas this week.
The award recognizes an independent dealership deemed to have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the community in which it does business.
“We are honored to receive this award and to be recognized by NIADA and Cox Automotive for creating positive change in our community,” said Bobby Petersen, owner of Fairly Reliable Bob’s. “The real reward, however, comes from our many achievements and the impact we’ve made while serving the Boise community for more than 40 years.”
Founded in 1975, the family-owned dealership supported more than 30 local charities and youth programs last year. One of its efforts was partnering with a local Corvette enthusiast club to raise money for children’s charities throughout Idaho, including nearly $500,000 for cystic fibrosis research. In addition to its fundraising efforts, the team at Fairly Reliable Bob’s has supported numerous civic organizations over the years, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Boy Scouts of America, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Idaho Food Bank and Toys for Tots.
“Community service and inspiring others to shape a better world has long been a part of our culture,” said Barry Roop, regional vice president of local auction — West region for Manheim, who presented the award. “I’d like to congratulate the team at Fairly Reliable Bob’s for embodying these principles and for demonstrating how every person, every organization, every day can make a difference when it comes to serving their community.”
Fairly Reliable Bob’s received a check for $10,000 to be donated to the Utah/Idaho chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
“We are pleased to once again partner with Cox Automotive to recognize worthy independent dealers for their outstanding community service,” said Steve Jordan, chief executive officer of NIADA. “We commend the entire team at Fairly Reliable Bob’s for personifying the spirit of community service and for sharing their time, talent and resources to improve the lives of others.
Two other dealerships were honored at the NIADA National Leadership Awards Banquet as finalists for their charitable efforts: A&D Motors (Arab, Ala.) and Matthews Motors (Clayton, N.C.).
Ring of Honor
Also during the convention, Jay Cadigan, vice president of industry relations for Manheim, received NIADA’s Ring of Honor.
The award is given annually to an allied industry executive who has contributed to the professionalism and growth of the automobile industry.
Cadigan leads Manheim's strategic efforts to develop, promote, and establish consistent standards, processes and policies that achieve business objectives and further the industry. He has held numerous leadership positions within Manheim for decades. He has served as market vice president for Florida and Puerto Rico where he oversaw the day-to-day activities of the 12 locations in that market.
He spent three years in a corporate role as vice president of sales and operations for the General Motors and Avis Budget Group accounts from 2003 to 2006. Before that, he was general manager of Skyline Auto Exchange (now Manheim New York Metro Skyline) in Fairfield, N.J., a position he held for 11 years.
Cadigan has been a devoted supporter of the NIADA and the NAAA as well. He is a past NAAA president (2010-2011). In 2013, he and his wife, Pam, were named Warren Young Fellows by the NAAA. In 2015, he earned the membership into the NAAA Hall of Fame.
"I am honored to join such an impressive group of individuals as those in the NIADA Ring of Honor," Cadigan said. "My colleagues in the automotive auction and retail sales industries are tremendously talented. It is a privilege to work alongside them, and truly humbling to earn this distinction and recognition from my peers."
Scholarships announced
Finally, the NIADA Foundation announced its 2016 scholarship recipients during the National Leadership Awards Banquet at this week’s convention.
Each year, the NIADA Foundation sponsors students across the nation. Four of the students selected represent each of the association's regions, and NIADA, along with NextGear Capital, provides a $3,500 scholarship to each for any college or university. A second award, given to a student currently enrolled at Northwood University and pursuing an education in an automotive-related field, is also provided by NIADA and NextGear Capital.
Tori Mason, a sophomore at Northwood University in Midland, Mich., received the evening's top honor, the $10,000 national scholarship.
Recipients for the regional scholarships were Brendan Bozyk of Brighton, Mich. (Region I), Tyler Riley of Indialantic, Fla. (Region II), Marci Ricklick of Lakeville, Minn. (Region III) and Mark Beshoar of Montrose, Colo. (Region IV).
"At NextGear Capital, we are committed to continuing education for both our team members and our clients,” said Randy Dohse, senior vice president at NextGear Capital. “Partnering with the NIADA Foundation for these scholarships aligns with our core values, and we are proud to be here tonight."
Subprime auto finance provider Credit Acceptance headlined a total of five companies with heavy involvement in the used-vehicle industry included on the Best Places to Work in Information Technology — an annual ranking of the top 100 work environments for technology professionals by IDG’s Computerworld.
Credit Acceptance was ranked No. 1 among midsize companies, or firms that employ between 1,001 and 4,999 people.
Also included in the midsize category were Cars.com, which came in ranked No. 13, and DriveTime Automotive Group, which finished at No. 15.
Among the cluster of small companies with fewer than 1,000 employees, Edmunds.com ranked fifth, and Carvana ranked seven spots down at No. 12.
Officials explained the lists are compiled based on a comprehensive questionnaire regarding company offerings in categories such as benefits, career development, training and retention. In addition, Computerworld conducts extensive surveys of IT workers, and their responses factor heavily in determining the rankings.
“The organizations on this year's Best Places to Work in IT list excel at creating a dynamic and satisfying IT work environment,” said Scot Finnie, editor in chief of Computerworld.
“In a competitive market for tech talent, these outstanding employers are able to attract highly skilled IT pros by offering great benefits, new learning opportunities, access to cutting-edge technologies and challenging, business-critical projects,” Finnie continued when the publication released the lists on Monday.
Computerworld mentioned Credit Acceptance came in No. 2 for retention and No. 5 for training on its way to the overall top ranking in its category.
“This Southfield, Mich., auto financing company values not only what its IT professionals accomplish, but how they accomplish it,” Computerworld officials said. “Staffers are encouraged to be proactive and creative, and the IT team is proud of the positive relationships it has built with business users and leaders. A Credit Acceptance program called Workplace Heroes celebrates employees who inspire others with their achievements at work and in their personal lives. Team-building activities include an annual summer picnic, Ping-Pong tournaments, Super Bowl-related festivities and numerous community service opportunities."
When informed of the accolade, Credit Acceptance chief information officer John Soave said, “I want to thank all of our IT team members for their efforts every day to provide great service and software to our customers and for their efforts to make Credit Acceptance a great place to work.”
When discussing why IT professional would want to work at Cars.com, officials mentioned, “IT employees at Cars.com often lead the decision-making process when it comes to determining which technologies to adopt and deploy. Senior leaders at this Chicago-based online car-shopping exchange host regular lunches with groups of IT employees, giving them an opportunity to network in a casual environment. The company recognizes and rewards people for their achievements, and awards spot bonuses to employees who share their expertise with the public via speaking engagements. Other perks include happy hours, video games, table tennis, company parties, gym discounts, and flexible scheduling and work-from-home options.”
And when touching on why DriveTime is attractive, officials mentioned the company came in ranked No. 8 overall for career development. Here’s why: “IT is at the heart of everything this used-car retailer and financing company does — nearly 50 percent of the employees in its Tempe, Ariz., home office are IT professionals. The need to create advanced tools to help make the DriveTime experience better for the end customer has led to the development of a rich and innovative IT department that offers lucrative career paths and features an authentic team environment. In the past year alone, 34 percent of DriveTime's IT employees were promoted.”
Meanwhile, one of the most popular perks cited by Edmunds’ IT staff is the company’s Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE), which gives employees the freedom to set their own hours and take the time off they need, as long as they deliver results for the company. Developers are further attracted to Edmunds’ exciting and challenging projects that explore applications for artificial intelligence, chatbots and image recognition.
The company’s IT staffers also participate in Edmunds-sponsored hackathons — such as a recent blockchain hackathon — where thousands of dollars are awarded to the most innovative ideas and solutions.
“Edmunds.com has a world-class IT staff and this recognition is a testament to all of the group's hard work and dedication,” Edmunds.com chief people officer Julie Merges said. “Technology is the backbone of our operations at Edmunds, and we're committed to going above and beyond to make sure our IT teams have the resources, freedom and benefits they need to get the job done right.”
And finally, the boss of online retailer Carvana described what it’s like to be included among the honorees.
“We are thrilled to be recognized by Computerworld, and I credit every employee at Carvana whose consistent hard work and dedication contributed to our success in becoming one of the Best Places to Work in IT,” said Ernie Garcia, founder and chief executive of Carvana. “By leveraging technology, we have reinvented the car buying process. We’ve taken ownership over every piece of the equation and moved it online. Executing these processes in an online environment presents big and exciting challenges, and to pull it off, we’re constantly seeking great people.
“We are always looking for the best and brightest IT programmers and developers to add to our rapidly growing team, and by the end of the year, we plan on adding almost 20 new IT positions in Phoenix to keep up with our growth,” Garcia went on to say.
The full list of Computerworld's 100 Best Places to Work in IT for 2016 can be found here.
The chief executive officers from Equifax, Enterprise Holdings, Carfax and Edmunds.com were among the business leaders with connections to the automotive industry recognized as Highest Rated CEOs for 2016 by Glassdoor, an online jobs and recruitment marketplace.
The honors, bestowed upon top leaders in countries throughout North America and Europe, came as part of Glassdoor’s annual report.
Among large companies, Rick Smith of Equifax came in ranked No. 30 while Pam Nicholson of Enterprise Holdings was right behind at No. 31. Both Smith and Nicholson received a 94 percent approval rating based on anonymous and voluntary reviews by Equifax and Enterprise employees shared on Glassdoor throughout the past year.
“Pam has been inspiring her teammates to succeed since she joined the company as a management trainee 34 years ago, so it’s no surprise that employees overwhelmingly appreciate her leadership and performance,” said Carolyn Eiseman, director of employer brand for Enterprise Holdings, which owns the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands.
“Social engagement is a critical component of our identity as an employer, and Pam’s recognition reaffirms the importance of connecting with current and future employees in the digital space,” Eiseman continued.
Among small and medium companies, Richard Raines of Carfax was ranked No. 19 while Avi Steinlauf of Edmunds.com came in at No. 22. According to Glassdoor’s tabulations, Raines’ employee approval rating was 97 percent while Steinlauf achieved a 95 percent rating.
“This is a very special honor because it’s based on actual feedback from the hardest-working and most dedicated co-workers that I could possibly ask for,” Steinlauf said. “It’s the people that make Edmunds such a unique and successful culture, and I’m truly touched that my colleagues value me as much as I value them.”
CEO approval ratings are gathered through Glassdoor’s online company review survey, which seeks to gain current and former employee sentiment about job and company satisfaction, the work environment and the culture. Employees are asked to rate a number of workplace factors like compensation and benefits as well as work-life balance, and asked whether they approve or disapprove of the way their CEO is leading the company.
In addition, employees are asked to describe some of the upsides and downsides of working for the company and provide any advice for senior management.
“Inspiring and motivating an entire workforce is an overwhelming, yet imperative, undertaking,” Glassdoor CEO and co-founder Robert Hohman said. “The CEOs on this list have earned the approval and respect of their employees, evidenced by the feedback shared on Glassdoor. This list celebrates that achievement and challenges all CEOs to aim to do the same.”
The complete list of CEOs ranked among large companies can be found here while the rundown for small and medium firms can be seen here.
