---

Dealers, Auto Makers Team for Media Seminars on Auto Retailing

5 August 1998

Dealers, Auto Makers Team for Media Seminars on Auto Retailing

    TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Aug. 5 -- An unprecedented industry-
wide coalition of dealer associations and auto makers was introduced to the
media today as the group announced plans for a series of media seminars
focusing on dramatic changes reshaping the retail automotive industry.
    Automotive Retailing Today, a nonprofit organization established to
increase understanding of the car-buying experience, unveiled plans to fund
the seminars, which will help journalists stay up to date on changes in
dealership operations and important trends such as industry consolidation and
the increased importance of the Internet.
    "Everyone stands to benefit from ART's programs.  That includes dealers,
manufacturers, journalists and, ultimately, consumers, who will gain a more
complete and up-to-date picture of the car-buying experience," said Yoshi
Ishizaka, president and CEO, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A Inc.
    "Consumers demanded significant changes in automotive retailing, and
manufacturers and dealers responded," said ART Chairman John Peterson.
"Yesterday's cliches just don't fit today's auto retail scenario."
    ART's activities will focus on providing candid information on the rapidly
changing auto retail industry, according to ART officials.  "The fact is, a
lot of our dealers are doing a lot of the right things in terms of satisfying
consumers and making the sales and service experience much more rewarding,"
said Bud Liebler, ART vice chairman and vice president of marketing for
Chrysler.
    The seminars will be developed and presented by the widely respected
National Press Foundation.  The foundation has conducted media programs for 28
years on topics ranging from agriculture to zoology.  The first ART seminars
are on Nov. 4 in Detroit and on Nov. 5 in New York.
    "Automotive Retailing Today is taking a daring first step in improving
communication with the media," said Paul Holloway, Chairman of the National
Automobile Dealers Association.  "I say daring, because the truth is, we might
not like everything we hear.  But it is important to listen to different
perspectives and learn."
    Current ART membership includes: American Honda Motor Co. Inc., American
International Automobile Dealers Association, American Isuzu Motors Inc., BMW
of North America, Chrysler Corp., General Motors Corp., Hyundai Motor America,
Mercedes-Benz of North America Inc., Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America Inc.,
National Automobile Dealers Association, National Association of Minority
Automobile Dealers, Nissan Motors in U.S.A, Porsche Cars of North America
Inc., Subaru of America Inc., Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc., and Volvo Cars
of North America.