Minority dealer count continues to grow

Nissan Motor Co.'s ethnic minority-dealer count in the U.S. jumped by 15 in 2020, the biggest net gain in the industry, according to the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers.

The number of minority-owned Nissan brand stores rose to 77 by the end of December, a net gain of 17. Ford Motor Co. had a net increase of five, bumping its total to 160, putting it behind only General Motors' 291 and Stellantis' 183.

GM and Kia had net gains of four minority dealerships each in 2020.

Overall, minority dealership numbers continued to rise after a steep fall because of the Great Recession. There were 1,257 at the end of 2020, 14 more than a year earlier but significantly less than the peak of 1,805 in 2005.

NAMAD President Damon Lester said automakers have increased their communication with the organization since last year's social justice movement in the aftermath of George Floyd's death in police custody.

Lester is focused on working with manufacturers "to map out a plan for success for the next generation of dealers coming through" and provide opportunities for minority dealer candidates to get their first stores.

"Our mission has always been to advocate for the increase of minorities, it was just unfortunate that it took the murder of George Floyd and others and their untimely deaths, that this caused such a huge awareness," Lester told Automotive News. "Hopefully, out of this, there's some long-term good that can take place, that we can now look at trying to live the promises of America that everyone else has reaped the benefits of."

Nissan said the company recently added six stores owned by African American dealers. The automaker has instituted numerous programs in the wake of Floyd's murder, including the formation of an advisory council "to provide expanded representation across the company and add the voice of the employee to our diversity strategies."

Mercedes-Benz said it has been promoting its 19 ethnic minority-owned stores through social media campaigns in a new initiative after the social justice uprising.

"The past year has brought about significant change for many of us," Keri Floyd Kelly, director of diversity and inclusion for Nissan Group of the Americas, said in a statement to Automotive News around the one-year anniversary last month of Floyd's death in Minneapolis. "At Nissan, that change included a thorough and thoughtful examination of our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion led by the leadership team, and a vow to be more aggressive, comprehensive and transparent in our actions."

Lester said NAMAD will continue to hold automakers accountable and hopes that the various commitments around diversity and inclusion made since Floyd's death don't fall by the wayside.

"Before, we've always asked, 'What's your plan? And what do you want to do in writing? What's your goal? What's your vision for diversity and inclusion?' " Lester said. "Now we have press releases, we have statements from the heads of these corporations that have expressed what their vision is, what is acceptable, what their goal is and what's not acceptable to them. And so we use that as a blueprint, not to hold it against them, but hold them accountable, and helping them try to create a blueprint for success."