If you've been in the auto industry long enough, you realize there are times when outside forces cause you to turn on a dime.
This past election season is a great example.
President Joe Biden's election and the Georgia Senate election flipped control from Republican to Democrat. It's almost certain this shift will result in legislation and regulation that impacts dealership operations, much like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau did when it was created in response to the financial crisis a decade ago.
Today, vehicle safety recall repairs are likely legislative targets. It is illegal to sell a new vehicle with an open safety recall. Legislation for used-vehicle open recall repairs before sale was proposed in 2017 and 2019 but defeated in the Senate. Similar legislation would likely pass today's Democrat-controlled Senate.