NADA MEETING: Myers Address Opening Session

San Francisco February 1, 2003—With quiet reflection, NADA convention chairman Jack Kain praised the bravery and courage of the space shuttle astronauts who lost their lives earlier today in a tragic accident. In his solemn and moving opening to today’s 2003 NADA convention, Kain acknowledged the sacrifices made by the seven men and women aboard the Columbia.

Kain then asked all attendees to join him in a moment of silence.

After the respectful tribute, 2002 NADA chairman H. Carter Myers, III (above), then went on to discuss several auto-industry issues. He noted that NADA fulfilled several historic goals in 2002. Against a backdrop of congressional gridlock, the association got its voluntary arbitration bill signed into law—"our biggest victory in decades." And NADA’s political action committee raised a record $2.5 million in 2002.

In industry relations, Ford revised plans to eliminate its Blue Oval program after hearing dealer concerns. "We thank Ford’s management for their willingness to value their dealers and for placing the integrity of the Ford Motor Company above any cost-cutting benefits that might have had short-term resonance on Wall Street," Myers said.

Further, the association was able to convince GM that a proposed change in its parts program would have dumped a $100 million cost transfer onto its dealers.

On another front, NADA’s newly revised Dealer Code of Ethics got much positive press, especially after AutoNation, the largest U.S. auto retailer, officially adopted it. And the latest customer satisfaction study conducted by Automotive Retailing Today shows that the overwhelming majority of buyers are more than satisfied with the experience, and—equally important—that journalists are becoming more aware of that fact.

Story Courtesy NADA