NADA will meet with automakers on renovation study
 | Wade: “We’re not going to be heavy-handed. We’re trying to lay out the facts.” |
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LAS VEGAS -- Officials from the National Automobile Dealers Association will meet with automakers to discuss the results of its long-awaited study on dealership renovation programs, but NADA has yet to decide on other steps, said outgoing Chairman Stephen Wade.
A workshop is scheduled for Monday at the convention to give dealers a chance to review the study and ask questions, he said. NADA released the study Saturday at its annual convention here, an event attended by thousands of dealers, industry executives and exhibitors.
“We’ll see where we go from there,” said Wade, who has made store renovation programs his signature issue. “We’re not going to be heavy-handed. We’re trying to lay out the facts.”
NADA commissioned the study last year after complaints from frustrated dealers about costly requirements being thrust upon them by automakers.
The study concluded that manufacturers must do a better job of demonstrating to dealers the business case for costly renovations.
Wade said NADA officials met with six automakers prior to the study’s release, showing them parts of the study so “they wouldn’t feel flat-footed at the make meeting.”
NADA will spend the next few months meeting with automakers on the issue.
“Now that the report is out, we’re hoping the OEMs will embrace it and look at it for what it is,” Wade said.
“Now that it’s out,” he added, “we’re hoping there will be more communication and understanding as a collective group.”
