Contra Costa Car Dealer Recognized as Successful Hispanic Female Entrepreneur

SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 29 -- The California Motor Car Dealers Association (CMCDA) recognizes car dealer Rose Winter, president of Winter Chevrolet & Honda in Contra Costa County as a successful entrepreneur in celebration of "Women Change America," the national theme for 2005 Women's History Month, celebrated throughout March.

Winter is one of at least 45 women in California operating dealerships, according to CMCDA.

"I know that I am one of few women dealers in a male-dominated field and a smaller number as a Hispanic female. In a male-dominated industry, being a woman can present some real challenges, but I believe that if you stick to your core values and are fortunate to hire good people who share those values you can succeed," said Rose Winter, president of Winter Chevrolet & Honda.

Winter started helping at her husband's Chevrolet dealership in 1994 to learn as much as she could about the day-to-day operations of the business. Her husband started the dealer business with a Chevrolet franchise in 1957. In 1970, he added the Honda franchise. In 1996, after Winter's husband passed away, she continued the operation of the dealership.

Winter attended Chevrolet's Dealership Management Academy in October of 1996 and succeeded in being appointed by Chevrolet and Honda as dealer principal. In November 2003, she completed and moved into separate state of the art facilities for both Chevrolet and Honda on nine acres in the Century Auto Mall. When Winter first started in the business, she employed 33 people and is now at 90 and still growing. Winter Chevrolet & Honda also supports many local charities, youth programs and events in Contra Costa County.

"Today's women have more power and influence in the marketplace than ever before," said Peter Welch, president of CMCDA. "Rose Winter is an excellent example of a good dealer that has broken through the glass ceiling of the automobile business by earning the trust and loyalty of her franchisors, employees and customers."

In addition, Winter has been selected among seven honorees by Telemundo/KSTS-TV 48 and sixteen Northern California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce as an outstanding Bay Area Latino business.

About CMCDA

The California Motor Car Dealers Association (CMCDA) is a statewide trade association that represents the interests of more than 1,400 franchised new car dealer members.