A total of 40 female students across the United States looking to begin a career in the vehicle-repair industry have received more than $100,000 in scholarship funding and starter tool sets this year from Women in Auto Care, a community of the Auto Care Association.
Association officials highlighted this week that what began as a $2,000 scholarship fund for the community in 2004 now has vastly expanded to more than $100,000 in funds for the third year in a row. Since 2004, Women in Auto Care has awarded more than $560,000 in scholarships.
The 2020 Women in Auto Care scholarship recipients include:
Aleana Burbank – Clearfield, Utah
Alexandrya Hankins – Minneola, Kan.
Audrie Nelson – Windsor, Ohio
Augustina Mendez-Agustin – Hendersonville, N.C.
Carisa Camarillo – Duluth, Minn.
Cayla Egle – Kewaskum, Wisc.
Cherokee Hall – Sanford, N.C.
Cleopatra Kannel – Ogden, Utah
Courtney Goldstein – Roseburg, Ore.
Ericka Ward – Leawood, Kan.
Hailey Ems – Cincinnati
Haley Kowalczyk-Cruickshank – Midland, Mich.
Janelle Lopez – San Antonio
JCamille Ragoopath – Bismarck, N.D.
Jean Hagen – Elcerrito, Calif.
Joyce Kathryn Menghamal – Commerce, Calif.
Julia Sonnleitner – Draper, Utah
Katelyn Fair – Milan, Mich.
Katherine Bothe – Linwood, Mich.
Kelsey Bruner – Leechburg, Pa.
Kirsten Williams – Oak Hill, W.Va.
Liana Castagna – Key Largo, Fla.
Lily Kussman – Lake Mills, Wisc.
Lynn Scherer – Boyertown, Pa.
Madeline Johanson – Arlington, Wash.
Madison Bromfield – Portsmouth, N.H.
Maria Lichtenberg – Helenville, Wisc.
Mary Elizabeth Bannister – Glenelg, Md.
McKayla Crabtree – Pound, Va.
Megan Owens – Fargo, N.D.
Mia Wright – Los Fresnos, Texas
Natalie Alvarado Molina – Salt Lake City, Utah
Rachel Crawford – Oak Harbor, Wash.
Roury Farnum – Valparaiso, Ind.
Samantha Barrios – Romeoville, Ill.
Shawna Mandel – Peyton, Colo.
Sydney McQueary – Ukiah, Calif.
Takeshia Carter – Chicago
Zoe Edgar – Henderson, Nev.
Zoe Wilkerson – Lubbock, Texas
“We are incredibly proud to have the opportunity to support female students and make an impact in their lives while helping them achieve their dreams,” said Nicole Brennan and Jacquie Hower, scholarship committee chairs for Women in Auto Care. “It is so important that our industry supports the next generation of technicians and leaders in the auto care industry.”
Brennan and Hower added that Women in Auto Care thanks its sponsors, membership, the University of the Aftermarket Foundation and Cornwell Tools for their contributions and continued support of the Women in Auto Care scholarship program.
For more information about Women in Auto Care, visit the Women in Auto Care webpage or contact Jessica Finnerty, staff liaison for the Auto Care Association, at jessica.finnerty@autocare.org.
AutoNation is offering a free service for teachers stretching into the opening month of school being back in session.
This week, AutoNation announced that it will offer teachers free vehicle sanitization at its dealerships from coast to coast Tuesday through Sept. 29.
The group said in a news release that teachers are encouraged to stop by any AutoNation store on Tuesdays for a free Clorox T360 sanitization treatment for their vehicle.
AutoNation said the process is meant to be easy as teachers can show their current teaching badge, or ID, “sit back and relax.” In less than 30 minutes, the company said they will drive off in their vehicles that have been sanitized with an EPA-approved disinfectant registered for use against COVID-19.
“AutoNation is committed to keeping America driving safe. So, while teachers are educating our children, AutoNation will do its parts to keep them driving safe,” AutoNation executive vice president and chief customer experience officer Marc Cannon said in a news release.
“We thank all of our teachers for their commitment to learning and education,” Cannon continued.
AutoNation also made this disclaimer:
*All efficacy claims & statements are relevant when the disinfectant product is applied correctly. This disinfectant product has been approved & registered by the EPA for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Disinfectant methods or claims should not be deemed to state or imply that the products can eliminate or prevent transmission of any virus, illness, or disease. For product manufacturer or EPA registration information, please see an AutoNation Service Associate for details. Offer expires September 29, 2020.
Causes with strong connections to AutoNation and Subaru of America — overcoming cancer and adopting dogs — are getting extra promotional attention from the dealer group and automaker, respectively.
This week, AutoNation launched what the retailer is calling a “profoundly emotional” Drive Pink omni-channel media campaign to celebrate the victories that so many have had in their fight against cancer.
Meanwhile, Subaru and the Philadelphia Union announced that Subaru Park, home of the Union that competes in Major League Soccer, will provide stadium seating to the likenesses of local adoptable dogs at home games in the 2020 season.
AutoNation is looking to begin this latest Drive Pink endeavor in a big way as the first ad in the campaign is set to debut during Sunday’s national telecast of the 104th Indianapolis 500 on NBC.
The company highlighted the campaign’s 30-second and 60-second spots showcase cancer patients’ triumphs through their own video clips, moving montages of patients receiving the life-affirming news that today they are cancer free, celebrating their final chemotherapy treatments and joining together with family and friends to tell the world that cancer can be beaten.
“These are our neighbors, our siblings, our parents and our children, all sharing their stories about resilience and encouraging others to never give up,” AutoNation said in a news release.
Throughout each ad, the theme of never giving up is reinforced through the use of the smash hit “Don’t Give Up On Me” by multi-platinum pop artist Andy Grammer.
“There is nothing more stirring than seeing real, everyday people announce to the world that they are cancer-free, and there’s nothing more inspirational for those struggling with cancer right now than to recognize that it’s a fight that can be won,” AutoNation executive vice president and chief customer experience officer Marc Cannon said.
“What better avenue to kickstart this new campaign than the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing,’ the Indy 500,” Cannon continued.
The campaign was created by Fort Lauderdale’s Zimmerman Advertising, AutoNation’s long-standing agency. It is scheduled to run across TV, digital and social media platforms beginning with the Indy 500 broadcast and continuing through the end of the year.
The company mentioned ads also will appear during MLB, NBA, NHL, NCAA and NFL sports programming along with extensive placement during prime time on major networks, including CNBC and Fox Business.
Airing will coincide with AutoNation’s FAST START sales event TV commercials (airing coast to coast), featuring 2016 Indianapolis 500 Champion, Alexander Rossi, who joins AutoNation’s DRV PNK initiative as an ambassador.
In addition, the company said Rossi will star and narrate a multi-channel social media campaign to raise awareness and funds to continue AutoNation’s fight against cancer.
In an additional sports related DRV PNK effort, AutoNation has announced a partnership with the Miami Marlins to “Strike Out Cancer!” During the 2020 season, whenever a Marlins pitcher strikes out an opposing batter, the Marlins will donate $50 to the DRV PNK initiative.
DRV PNK is AutoNation’s hallmark philanthropic initiative, a company-wide effort that focuses on charitable giving and volunteerism to raise awareness, generate resources, and build support for diverse groups impacted by cancer.
“AutoNation is committed to Drive Out Cancer as we race to over $25 million donated to cancer treatment and research,” the company said.
More details about adoptable shelter dogs at Subaru Park
Switching from cancer triumphs to canine companions, images provided by Subaru of those adoptable dogs will begin to appear during the Philadelphia Union home game on Tuesday.
These cardboard cutouts of dogs available for adoptions will temporarily fill in for real-life spectators at the Union’s home opener and very first game played at Subaru Park.
Inspired by the Union’s legendary Sons of Ben team supporter group, the “Dogs of Ben” cutouts will represent a real pup available for adoption in the greater Philadelphia area. Working with local shelters, including the Providence Animal Center, Subaru said in a news release that it will fill the stands at midfield with the cardboard four-legged Union fans with the goal of uniting the real-life pups they depict with new owners.
“At Subaru, our love for pets runs as deeply as our love for soccer, and from the onset of our partnership with the Union, we knew we wanted to bring our furry friends out to Subaru Park and bring awareness to adopting shelter pets,” said Alan Bethke, senior vice president, marketing at Subaru of America.
“While home games may look a bit different this year, we hope the Dogs of Ben add some fun to gameday while helping to unite local dogs in the greater Philadelphia area with loving owners,” Bethke continued.
Subaru and the Union joined forces in February, kickstarting a multi-year stadium naming rights partnership that gave the name Subaru Park to the 18,500-seat sports and events destination and home of the Union. Together, the two companies said they are committed to supporting the greater Philadelphia community with charitable programs, including the Dogs of Ben program as an extension of the Subaru Love Promise vision.
“We are thrilled to be hosting the first Philadelphia Union game at Subaru Park on Aug. 25 and to introduce the innovative ways we are incorporating our fans, community, partners, and even adoptable pets into a Union gameday,” Philadelphia Union president Tim McDermott said. “As a community-first minded company and alongside our partner Subaru, we will continue to look for ways to help and highlight organizations in need.”
Individuals and families looking to take home a real-life furry Union fan of their own can head to https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/subaru to learn more.
Dogs of Ben is a part of the Subaru Loves Pets initiative, which is dedicated to helping improve the safety and well-being of animals in communities nationwide. The automaker’s commitment to pets is one part of its Love Promise company vision.
For more information about Subaru Loves Pets, visit www.subaru.com/pets.
Jim Ellis Automotive Group understands that school supplies do not include just bookbags, paper and writing utensils nowadays.
In response to the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) available to teachers and students in the Atlanta area, Jim Ellis announced on Tuesday that the dealer group will be donating a portion of every sale of all new or pre-owned vehicles to Atlanta Beats Covid (ABC) during its upcoming Labor Day sales event.
The event will take place from Aug. 31 through Sept. 7 as all 18 Jim Ellis family-owned and operated dealerships will participate.
“As we enter a new school year in the midst of a pandemic, teachers and educational staff are having to navigate unchartered territories,” the Jim Ellis Automotive Group said in a news release. “Teachers are currently going into their schools to plan curriculum, setup their classrooms and meet with other staff members, all in a potentially vulnerable environment.
“Unfortunately, many schools are not able to provide educators or students with face shields, masks or other PPE. Many schools and teachers also encounter difficulties getting their hands on PPE due to a nationwide shortage and shipping delays,” the group continued.
ABC is an ad-hoc group of volunteer makers, engineers, fabricators, seamsters and other Southeast industry experts that was founded to address the huge PPE shortage facing our medical workers and has now expanded to help our educators during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since March, ABC has provided over 28,000 pieces of PPE to the Atlanta community and 2,357 face shields to area schools since July.
“We’re honored and excited to team up with Atlanta Beats Covid to provide face shields for teachers through our Labor Day sales event,” said Stacey Ellis, vice president of Jim Ellis Automotive Group. “Our hope is that we can help provide comfort and safety to those doing the important job of teaching our children.”
During the holiday sales event, prospective buyers can shop in-person or at any one of the 18 Jim Ellis family-owned and operated dealerships. Shoppers also have the option to shop from home using the Jim Ellis Express Way.
With the Jim Ellis Express Way, shoppers can search and compare thousands of vehicles in the entire Jim Ellis dealership network from their phone, computer or tablet. Shoppers also can configure their payment, value their trade, secure financing and more.
At-home services allow potential buyers to complete the entire purchase without ever visiting a dealership — including the option to submit all paperwork electronically, complete a test drive and take delivery of the vehicle at home.
For more information about ABC, request PPE or to donate, visit https://atlantabeatscovid.com/.
Sheehy Auto Stores is again looking to support the American Heart Association through a program happening at all of its dealerships.
On Friday, the company announced the beginning of the 23rd annual Sheehy 8000 Sales Race, a community-wide initiative in which all 29 Sheehy dealerships sell vehicles while raising awareness and funds to benefit the American Heart Association.
The campaign is set to run through Sept. 8.
“The Sheehy 8000 is one of our most significant annual sales events and fundraising partnerships,” Sheehy Auto Stores president Vince Sheehy said in a news release. “As we all navigate living through the COVID-19 pandemic and our new reality, it is important now more than ever to stay well through heart healthy diets and exercise.
“We are proud to once again partner with the American Heart Association and their ‘Healthy for Good’ initiative to provide homebound and socially distant support and guidance,” Sheehy continued.
Last year, the Sheehy 8000 campaign raised $300,000 for the charity. To date, Sheehy’s fundraising efforts have raised more than $40 million for community and non-profit organizations, and over $1.6 million raised for the American Heart Association.
Each of Sheehy’s 29 dealerships throughout Washington, D.C., Richmond, Va., Hagerstown, Md., and Baltimore will lead various initiatives in support of the Sheehy 8000 to include virtual events to engage the community with ways to stay heart healthy and safe while maintaining social distance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The mission of the American Heart Association is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
“All of us at the American Heart Association are grateful for Sheehy’s unwavering loyalty during these unprecedented times. COVID-19 disproportionately affects heart and stroke patients, making their support more important and life-saving than ever,” American Heart Association executive director Soula Antoniou said.
“The Sheehy 8000 is a phenomenal sales race and truly a team effort! The commitment of Sheehy’s employees, vendors and customers can be seen in funds raised and the lives impacted — in Sheehy dealerships and in our communities,” Antoniou added. “With over $1.6 million raised to date, this campaign has made much of our work around blood pressure management, healthy food access, and CPR training possible. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.”
For more information visit www.sheehy.com.
Market Scan is feeling quite patriotic with the Fourth of July arriving in just a few days.
The partnership between JD Motorsports with Gary Keller and Market Scan for Mike Wallace’s No. 0 Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) on July 4 has an American patriotic purpose.
The automotive solutions and data provider based in Camarillo, Calif., announced the partnership in May for the inaugural NASCAR Xfinity Series race at IMS. The paint scheme recently revealed has an American patriotic theme in red, white and blue, prominently displaying the logos of two amazing charities.
The primary purpose is to feature U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Danny Garcia’s “Honor Walk 2020,” a four-month long initiative to raise funds for “America Salutes You.” This “America Salutes You” collaboration kicks off on July 4 race weekend in Indianapolis where Garcia will begin his multi-state journey.
“To partner with JD Motorsports, Mike Wallace and Market Scan is going to be incredible for our causes,” Garcia said in a news release. “The money raised through donations will benefit veterans, first responders and their families.
Kicking off this year’s “Honor Walk” with this paint scheme on July 4 and during a NASCAR weekend is “about as patriotic as you can get,” according to Garcia, who added, “The people who benefit from this need our help right now more than ever.”
For Wallace, it represents his first racing competition during a NASCAR event since 2015.
“Making a return to racing partnering with Market Scan, supporting Danny Garcia and the two charities is incredible,” Wallace said. “I love this country and all the good in our lives as Americans.
“When Rusty West (co-founder and president of Market Scan) talked to me about supporting Danny’s walk and the associated causes, I was on board immediately,” Wallace continued. “As racers, we are hyper-focused on the racing aspect. For Indy, we can take our incredible paint scheme and put attention to what Danny is doing and how our fans can help fellow Americans.”
Market Scan said its involvement is driven by the company’s desire to support fellow Americans.
“I am incredibly proud of how this initiative will make a difference in the lives of many veterans, first responders and their families,” West said. “The race car looks fantastic and the plan is to share the patriotic look and spirit with a lot of folks during Danny’s walk. The new RV, which Danny will call home for four months, features the same design as Mike’s racecar. It will help shine a spotlight on Danny’s walk and the charities, wherever he goes.
“A special thank you goes to Child Safety Network, now celebrating its 30th year of national public service,” West continued. “Ward Leber, CSN’s founder, hooked us up with the wrap for our new RV. When we ran the idea by Ward, he jumped all over it.
“We are also very grateful for Brandon Webb, Navy veteran, New York Times best-selling author and founder of SOFREP Media, for providing invaluable social media support to help promote Danny’s walk and our fundraising efforts,” West went on to say.
Garcia is a U.S. Marine Corps and Vietnam war veteran, former law enforcement officer and ordained minister. He has been walking for charity since 1996, taking 52 million steps on six continents.
The first phase of Garcia’s “Honor Walk 2020” includes Midwest states, Southeastern states and the Eastern seaboard with large-scale stops in New York City and Washington, D.C.
Between July 4 and Oct. 29, Garcia will travel in increments of 25 to 50 miles a day in phases. Stops will include city halls, Veterans Affairs locations, first responder locations, fire stations, police stations, hospitals, and partner retail locations. The walk ends on Oct. 29 at the Grand Ole Opry during the “America Salutes You” benefit concert.
The mission of “America Salutes You” is to raise awareness and funds for extraordinary wellness charities, assisting military and veterans. Those initiatives include promoting the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' efforts to provide access, support and services that ensure veterans’ health and quality of life.
Anyone interested in making a donation to support Danny’s fundraising efforts for “America Salutes You” can text FREEDOM to 20222 or make a pledge on www.americasalutesyou.org.
Racing enthusiasts watching the upcoming Memorial Day weekend race in Charlotte will see seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson driving a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE with a subtle olive drab color.
The vehicle will feature white military stenciled numbers and exposed rivets inspired by WWII military vehicles.
Johnson and his sponsor Ally Racing on Friday gave troops a virtual sneak peek at the military-themed paint scheme he will drive as part of a tribute to military heroes in the Memorial Day weekend race in Charlotte.
Sixteen military service members participated in a Friday videoconference, and Johnson thanked the troops for their service, answered questions and previewed the olive drab paint scheme.
Ally’s chief operating officer for auto finance David Shevsky joined Johnson at the virtual gathering. They announced a $20,000 donation to the USO of North Carolina’s Protect the Force 2020 initiative.
That project helps support military families facing difficulties because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Johnson and Ally are each donating $10,000 to the USO’s charitable fund. Troops participating in the videoconference represented the Air Force, Coast Guard, Army, Air National Guard and USO and are stationed in North Carolina.
“Memorial Day is a special time, and I’m so thankful that everyone associated with NASCAR puts out a big effort for all the men and women who have served our country,” Johnson said in a news release.
Johnson continued, “Both my grandfathers served and my brother-in-law served.”
The NASCAR Salutes initiative to recognize fallen soldiers will take place during Sunday’s 600-mile race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The event will honor Army Corporal Patrick Deans of Winter Garden, Fla., memorializing his name on the windshield of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE.
Deans served in the 101st Airborne Division, and on Dec. 12, 2010, a suicide bomber attacked his unit in Afghanistan with an improvised explosive device, killing him and five other soldiers and wounding 11 others. Deans, who was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based in Fort Campbell, Ky., received the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
“To have Corporal Deans on my car and run a special paint scheme is a big honor for me to recognize the individual, and all those who have lost a loved one,” Johnson said.
The Memorial Day weekend paint scheme for the No. 48 race car swaps the traditional Ally colors of brightly contrasting plum, black and grapefruit pink with the subtle olive drab color.
“The ‘600 miles of remembrance’ Memorial weekend race is a very public tribute to the service and sacrifice made by so many Americans from all the military branches,” said Ally’s Shevsky, an Air Force veteran.
Shevsky is also a leader of the Ally Veterans employee resource group. That group helps support veterans within Ally and its communities.
“With the donation to the USO’s Protect the Force 2020 initiative, we hope to help ease the hardships faced by military families as their loved ones work to protect Americans from new, public health threats at home as well as enemies abroad,” Shevsky said.
TrueCar has launched a dedicated vehicle purchase program that provides exclusive military incentives and benefits to those who have served U.S. armed forces and their families.
Called “TrueCar Military,” the program provides those benefits on top of TrueCar’s existing benefits.
TrueCar says that up to $2,000 in automaker military incentives on select brands and models from BMW, MINI, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Ram and Nissan are among the benefits of TrueCar Military.
TrueCar Military is available to all U.S. active duty service men and women, military retirees, veterans, and their spouses.
The new program is an expansion of TrueCar’s work for more than 13 years in helping the military community find and purchase their vehicles at TrueCar network dealers. That work has taken place through various military affinity partnership organizations.
Other benefits of the program include up to $4,000 in repair and auto deductible reimbursement benefits along with a dedicated U.S.-based military customer service hotline to answer and resolve customer service inquiries.
Those benefits are in addition to the existing TrueCar benefits such as more than $3,400 average savings off MSRP, helping consumers find all the incentives for which they qualify, and getting the actual price for the vehicle they want online.
“There is no higher honor than to give back to our nation’s service men and women and their families who have sacrificed so much for our country,” TrueCar president and chief executive officer Mike Darrow said in a news release.
Darrow continued, “We have connected millions of members of the military community with our network of certified dealers to find their vehicle over the past 13 years. We’re now devoted to expanding that service to the broader military community and are excited to offer these new benefits and savings to them and their families. We will continue to evolve our offering and tailor our service to best meet their needs.”
TrueCar and its employees have served military members and their families for more than 10 years through affinity partnerships with banking, insurance and credit union partners. That inspired the company in 2017 to create TrueCar’s employee-led, corporate giving initiative, DrivenToDrive, which provides retrofitted vehicles to veterans in need.
Through DrivenToDrive, TrueCar has partnered with Team RWB (Red, White and Blue) and DAV (Disabled American Veterans) to give away four vehicles retrofitted to veterans in need.
TrueCar also launched a military hiring program earlier this year in partnership with Shift.org. The program helps place active-duty military transitioning into civilian life into paid fellowships and jobs at TrueCar.
In other news, TrueCar said that to help raise awareness of TrueCar Military and DrivenToDrive, it has expanded its partnership with Team RWB. TrueCar in 2017 was a sponsor of Team RWB’s Old Glory Relay in connection with DrivenToDrive and supports its mission of using physical and social activity to connect America’s veterans to their communities.
“TrueCar has a long history of servicing and supporting the military, and we’re excited to see them step up again by expanding their military initiatives and supporting our organization,” said Team RWB executive director Mike Erwin.
Erwin continued, “Partnerships like this enable us to bring our mission to more communities across the country and introduce veterans to the companies who support and appreciate their sacrifices.”
DAV provides a lifetime of support for veterans and their families and has been TrueCar’s DrivenToDrive partner since 2017. DAV will continue supporting the initiative and TrueCar’s broader support of the military community.
“We’re honored to partner with TrueCar to honor the service and sacrifice of all veterans,” said DAV’s chief executive officer and national adjutant Marc Burgess.
Burgess continued, “In addition to the value they provide those who’ve served through their program, we’re grateful for their partnership that supports our service programs while giving back the freedom of driving to those forever changed in uniform.”
To authenticate military status for program eligibility, TrueCar has partnered with ID.me, a secure identity validation that more than 20 million people and 450 partners use, including government agencies, healthcare providers and retailers.
Hyundai Motor America chief marketing officer Angela Zepeda says Hyundai understands that “building a better future starts with investing in the young women inventing it today.”
That is evident as Hyundai introduced a new program to celebrate International Women’s Day. The Hyundai Women in STEM Scholarship seeks to help the next generation of women leaders by working to close the gender gap in engineering, mobility and autonomous driving fields.
Hyundai is looking to award female students interested in pursuing an education and career in those disciplines.
Five female STEM students will receive a scholarship in the amount of $10,000 each.
“We hope this scholarship program helps funnel more women into the STEM fields, resulting in a significant impact to the gender gap that still exists today,” Zepeda said in a news release.
Participants must be high school seniors or undergraduate students who are female.
They must reside in the United States and seek to pursue a STEM-related field of education.
To apply for the award, eligible students must write an essay of 500 words or more on why they chose to pursue a STEM-related field and what drives them to be better.
Applications are open until June 30. For more information, visit www.tun.com/blog/hyundai-women-in-stem-scholarship/
By now, the elaborate exhibit hall booths have been deconstructed, and many NADA Show 2020 attendees have taken cars and airplanes back to their dealerships and offices after traveling for the annual gathering of the National Automobile Dealers Association.
NADA 2020 chairman Rhett Ricart offered a simple message with the intention of it lasting much longer than the three-day event.
Ricart’s declaration to franchised dealerships: “You’ll be just fine.” Ricart elaborated on that point Monday as he took the reins of NADA.
“Actually, we’re going to be more than just fine,” Ricart said in a news release. “There’s something to be said of auto dealers that went through wars, recessions, depressions, oil embargoes, global economic meltdowns, OEM bankruptcies, and are still upright, standing tall and stronger than ever.
“I see our success every day in our packed service departments, where we’re working to staff the best technicians, and where customers come for warranty, recall and maintenance work,” Ricart continued. “And that will only continue. Because if you think it’s going to be easy fixing an all-electric or fully autonomous car without a tried and true service department network to back you up, you’re in a dream world.”
“NADA is here to build and protect your business, like my own 67-year-old family business in Columbus, Ohio,” Ricart went on to say. “And we are gunning our accelerator into this modern world, with an eye on advocacy, education and compassion.”
Ricart president and chief executive officer of Ricart Automotive Group also offered an equally powerful message to the rest of the auto industry, particularly newer entrants and those that have been billed as “disruptors.”
“The new players in the game aren’t ‘disruptors.’ They’re just new,” Ricart said. “The beauty of our business is that we thrive on disruption. When you think about it, dealers make their living by confronting, understanding and ultimately harnessing disruption.”
“For over 100 years, we have been turning disruption into dollars. And along the way we have shaped how Americans drive, how they travel and how they live their daily lives. And in 2020, we’re going to keep doing it,” Ricart continued. “We will meet disruption at the door. And no matter what its name is, we will answer.
“In this new decade, we will bring our customers the option to step into an electric vehicle, a gas-powered vehicle, and further in the future, we’ll even give them a driverless car,” he went on to say. “Dealers are constantly re-inventing themselves, and constantly defying the odds. Sure, there are complications out there. We know what they are, but NADA is doing something about them every day.
“The disruption will come and go. The constant is you and me, the dealers. We’re the ones who build relationships with our customers every day, mastering our markets, advancing our technology, and improving our communities. We always have, and we always will,” Ricart added.
Final message from outgoing chair
In his outgoing remarks as 2019 NADA chairman, Charlie Gilchrist thanked franchised dealers for heeding the call to become involved in NADA, saying it was instrumental to many successful initiatives throughout the year.
“Last January, I challenged all of you not to be just a part of NADA, not to be just a member of NADA, but as we faced the challenges of the coming year, that we would do this together as a team,” Gilchrist said during his Saturday keynote address at the 2020 NADA Show in Las Vegas.
From combatting the threat of broad-based auto tariffs, to working to keep new vehicles affordable while preserving the sustainability of new-car departments, to addressing the technician shortage, Gilchrist reminded dealers attending the event of the many issues that NADA confronted — on behalf of, and hand-in-hand with — franchised dealers across the United States.
“Our identity as auto dealers is unique,” Gilchrist said, according to a news release. “It means fighting for our franchise system. It means holding our ground when Washington threatens our stability, so our employees and customers have security tomorrow. And it means doing it together, because one dealer can accomplish some things, but many dealers together can accomplish anything.”
Gilchrist — president of Gilchrist Automotive, which includes Buick-Chevrolet-GMC, Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram, Ford, Nissan and Volkswagen franchises the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas — urged dealers to stay vigilant but also to prepare for a bright future for years to come.
“Every dealer has a tremendously bright future ahead,” Gilchrist said. “Don’t let others define who you are. Hold strong to your identity.
“Our industry is going through an evolution, not a revolution. There will be a wave of change, but we’ll adapt to it, and we’ll be stronger than ever,” he continued. “Despite so-called disruptions to the dealer network, and myths about mobility, we are holding strong. In 2019 we sold 17.1 million new cars and light trucks. There are over 278 million registered vehicles on America’s roads today, and that number is only growing.
“Lightning-fast technology will continue to change vehicles for years to come. But customers are still buying and owning their cars and trucks. And they’re still going to their local auto dealer to get them,” Gilchrist went on to say.
“It is clear,” he added. “If you are an auto dealer, if you work in a dealership, our imprint on America is unmistakable, our contributions are undeniable, and our potential is immeasurable. We are the auto dealers of America, and we are NADA.”
KAR Global auction raises $97,487 for NADA Foundation
For attendees who have affinity for dogs, spending a few moments at the KAR Global booth presents the chance to see some great-looking canines who serve in crucial roles.
KAR Global auctioned a VIP, all-access package to attend the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500, raising more than $10,000 for the NADA Foundation’s initiative to benefit Canine Companions for Independence (CCI). Additional auction proceeds and donations raised more than $97,000 in one day.
Ben Chavez, an Army veteran and retired police sergeant, and his hearing dog, Nepal, from Tehachapi, Calif., along with six dogs and their graduates, trainers and volunteers from Canine Companions attended the auction, which was conducted by KAR Global.
Officials explained in a news release that proceeds from the auction will benefit the NADA Foundation’s Frank E. McCarthy Memorial Program, which supports CCI.
McCarthy was NADA’s chief executive from 1968 to 2001. To date, the KAR Global auctions have raised more than $586,500.
“In this ninth year of partnering with the NADA Foundation and Canine Companions for Independence, TradeRev, ADESA and the entire KAR Global family of brands remain as committed as ever to ensuring that people with disabilities can live independent lives,” KAR Global president Peter Kelly said.
“It’s because of the generous dealers who join us in outbidding each other year after year that we have been able to raise tens of thousands of dollars to provide the funding needed to train these highly skilled dogs that enhance the lives of people with disabilities,” Kelly added.
The winning bidder was Beth Hakes of Industry, Calif., who will spend Memorial Day weekend at the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500. The Epic Experience package includes the VIP treatment to watch the race from “Turn One” seats, as well as airfare and luxury accommodations in downtown Indianapolis.
Since 2002, NADA Foundation’s Frank E. McCarthy Program has contributed nearly $800,000 to CCI, placing skilled service dogs with children with disabilities and wounded veterans.
NADA gives another $50,000 to benefit Nellis Air Force Base
Also in conjunction with the 2020 NADA Show in Las Vegas, NADA made a $50,000 donation to the Nellis Support Team, a nonprofit organization whose broad mission includes supporting more than 30,000 airmen and their families at Nellis Air Force Base, Creech Air Force Base and Nevada Test and Training Range in southern Nevada.
Officials highlighted the donation is the second from NADA to the Nellis Support Team. NADA noted funds from its first donation in 2018 made reopening the base’s Auto Skills Center a reality, allowing the airmen and their families who call Nellis home with an opportunity to repair their vehicles independently.
“The brave men and women at Nellis Air Force Base protect and serve our country and I am so pleased we can serve them,” Gilchrist said. “I am honored today to meet with the airmen at Nellis and tour this wonderful Auto Skills Shop.”
The funds of the donation may be used to purchase additional tools and equipment including three drive on auto lifts and a new wheel alignment/changer.
