GM 20 Group deal part of NADA diversity goal

WASHINGTON — National Automobile Dealers Association CEO Mike Stanton says he views the association's approach to diversity, equity and inclusion as a "drumbeat," a repeated effort that can gain momentum and grow louder over time.

"This is a long-term goal for us," Stanton told Automotive News. "Quick wins are not what this is all about. It's more about sustainability and making sure that we make progress for the long term."

As part of that progress, NADA in June was selected to be the exclusive provider of 20 Group services for General Motors' four minority dealer development 20 Groups — something Stanton says is a "win-win" for dealers and for the association as part of its longer-term diversity, equity and inclusion strategy.

NADA said it will use its strengths in advocacy, education and consulting to help those dealers succeed.

"We're going to be better off as dealers if we reflect the communities where we live," he said. "We view DE&I as a business imperative."

The effort, Stanton said, builds off a more than eight-year relationship NADA has had with the GM Women's Retail Network 20 Group business and gives the association additional exposure to help educate dealers.

Stanton said the association also remains committed to a series of resolutions and bylaw amendments passed by its board of directors last year under predecessor Peter Welch.

Those efforts — designed to broaden the diversity of NADA's leadership and bring more voices to the table — included expanding the number of at-large seats reserved specifically for female dealers to three from two and for minority dealers to three from two, as well as other internal activities that are ongoing.

"We want to look at this strategically and have a very deliberate plan," Stanton said. "We want to make sure that the changes we make — the improvements — are something we can sustain and will last a long, long time."

The association also adopted a proclamation affirming its belief that the auto sector — as one of the nation's most important industries — should lead the way on work force diversity.

To do so, NADA has taken a collaborative approach by holding initial discussions with industry groups such as the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers.

"We're planting seeds, and we continue the discussion and … we get better every day," Stanton said. "The results are going to be measured over time — not, certainly, in days or weeks or even months, but more than likely over years and decades."