Page 20 - On The Move - Volume 17, Issue 3

By Rhett Ricart
2020 NADA Chairman

In my very first speech as your NADA Chairman in February, I So, automakers have their ears wide open and are willing to
talked about corruption, obstruction, and disruption to the auto listen to dealer input more than ever. Dealers need to seize this
retail industry. With the coronavirus pandemic, our country got opportunity and strengthen their bonds with OEM partners. We
a big dose of disruption, and it’s the kind of disruption that know that we are the secret sauce for automakers to distrib-
has trickled down to every person, in- ute and sell their products in the United
dustry and business. We are all facing States.
challenges as we learn to operate in a
new business environment, but with that The COVID-19 pandemic The 2021 NADA Show in New Orleans
comes the opportunity to adapt and has opened a greater dialogue will be the most important NADA Show
take our industry into a new era. The you ever attend. As dealers, we need
COVID-19 pandemic has opened a between automakers and to further educate ourselves on how to
greater dialogue between automakers dealers, and we cannot manage this disruption and learn best
and dealers, and we cannot miss this practices for business success in an ev-
chance for the advancement of the in- miss this chance for the er-changing environment. Make meet-
dustry that many of us have spent our ings at the Show will be more critical
lives building. advancement of the industry than ever to discussing with our OEM
that many of us have partners how we navigate through this
Like everyone else, our OEM partners new environment and move forward
are struggling to find the right formula spent our lives building. as an industry. We need to demon-
to operate in this new normal and be- strate our focus, our readiness, and our
come profitable again. As retailers, we strength to the entire dealer body and to
are learning how to enhance our digital retailing capabilities the industry as a whole. Your attendance is vital.
and to keep our employees and customers safe as we reopen
our doors. Automakers likewise are re-starting vehicle manufac- While many of you are laser focused on the survival of your own
turing facilities with safety protocols and plexiglass partitions to businesses, it is prudent that you stay involved with NADA and
protect thousands of their workers. While our challenges vary, your state and local associations. Stay involved by providing
they all impact the broader industry that lives under one roof. your ATAEs with guidance and on-the-ground insight that will
Now is the time for us to unite our industry efforts. help as they craft policies and legislation to address operations
during coronavirus. Your involvement is as important as ever.
The car-buying experience is changing, consumer expectations
are evolving, and digital retailing has increased significantly. Don’t forget, a united auto industry is a strong auto industry!

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