As you cru ise along, you can't help but m arvel at how a 3,000 plus-pound
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CONTENTS
The Bottom Line
12
Special Report
Black Auto Dealers
like cliches. 1 hough considered philosophical, they often describe the truth be­
hind some thought-provoking realities. Here's one I'm particularly fond of, (I
made it up myself): If there was never a policy o f exclusion, there wouldn’t be a
need for inclusion." It came to me recently as I pondered why so-called minorities
are still fighting for inclusion in America’s lucrative automobile industry. For far too
long we have been excluded from management positions, dealership franchises, and
new-vehicle marketing campaigns.
Believe it or not, at one time some executives at major car companies refused to
believe that women bought cars, even though the reality of female purchasing power
was staring them in the face. Now,
African-American car buyers are
confronted with the same struggle
for recognition and respect. Al­
though we spend billions yearly
on new vehicles, the industry re­
mains strangely hesitant to ac­
knowledge the magnitude of our
buying power.
Today, A frican A m ericans
make up 13 percent of the U.S.
population, yet own only 1 per­
cent o f the 2 2 ,7 5 0 new -car
dealerships. W hat can be done
New York Auto Show-$39,900 Porsche Boxster
about this distressing figure? We
offer some ideas. Warren Brown
suggests a new approach in his col­
umn, while Blair Walker gives an overview of the challenges facing the National
Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (ÑAMAD).
Black auto dealers face a challenging situation: increasing representation in a chang­
ing retail environment. Minorities want to be included in all areas o f the auto indus-
try, says Sheiia Vaden-W ithams, executive director of NAMAD, and her organization
plans to focus its efforts on reaching that goal.
Indeed, companies that have excluded minorities in the past, ought to take notice
"■ African Americans want to fully participate in all areas of the auto industry, includ­
ing owning dealer franchises. To their credit, they know that as they cut back on
dealerships to remain competitive, they must also become representative of Americas
diverse culture. That’s the bottom line.
I
STAFF
P ublisher and E ditor In C hief
Randi Payton
M anaging E ditor
Jacqueline Mitchell
Senior E ditors
Blair Walker
Warren Brown
Paul Eisenstein
E ditoral D irector
Vivienne Samms
R eporters
Ngina Johnson
Adam Dixon
Genea Luck
Kimatni Rawlins
Marc Battle
Tedra Butler-Dudley
A dvertising R epresentative
Christine Anderson
Motor City Media
A rt D irector
Ed Towles
P rod uction A ssistant
Belinda Jones
C o n trib u tin g A rtis t
Brenda Spears
2
AFRICAN AMERICANS ON WHEEL S
P hotographers
Leroy Hamilton
Joe Polimeni is credited for
the Colin Powell photo in
Winter '97 issue.
Web S ite D evelopm ent
Web Visions
Cover:
Photo by Monica Morgan
Member o f
International Motor Press Association
Washington Automotive
Press Association
National Association of Black
Journalists
Greater Detroit Chamber
of Commerce
m achine can seemingly soar just above the highway. Bui then, this isn't just an\
Spring 1997
Volume 3, Issue 2
by Blair Walker
16
“More Black Dealers Please!”
by Warren Brown
c a r-h e c k , it’s your new .souped up M ercedes-Benz t'2 8 0 Sport. And with
194 horsepower, faster-ratio steering, a stiller suspension, and low profile tires on
In 1888, Daimler built the engine for
the first gasoline-powered internal
combustion flying machine. Today,
we re still making flying news-in fact,
in one test, Road i Track heralded
the C280 Sport as the “best automatic
sports sedan“*
7-inch w ide ¿Hoy w heels, no w onder it reallv (lies.
from the tompany that powered one nt the first )|\in u ntiai bines. And imagine,
all this without a pilots license. Now if you could just get frequent flier miles.
10
E-Z Leasing, Part IV
by Paul Eisenstein
20
Profile:
Ford Appoints
Global VP
22
Urban Picks: Minivans
28
Long-Term Review:
Toyota Camry LE V6
Departments
4
Auto Briefs
8
Letters/E-Mail
8
411 : Car Care
18
Auto Stats
African Americans
On Wheels
2034 National Press Building
Washington, DC 20045
Tel. 202-588-9459
Fax 202-588-5136
Advertising Director
Christine Anderson
M otor City Media
22 Cambridge
Pleasant Ridge, MI 48069
810-544-8762
ABC Audit pending
African Am erican On Wheels,
©1997. is published quarterly as a
supplement to newspapers by On
W h e e ls, Inc. A A O W can be
fo u n d
on the
In te rn e t at
http://www.automag.com. Our e-mail
address Is AAOW@AOL.com.
It's just what Aim'd e\pr< ,
Explore our vVeb site, http://www.usi.mercedes-benz.com.
•MSRP for a C23O excludes $595 transportation charge, all taxes. tM e/docum entary fees, registration, tags, dealer prep charges.
Of compliance or n o n o m p lia n c e fees, and finance charges Sport package available only on C 280 C 280 shown at MSRP o f $ 3
■V>■■■'..-•«g.
* * * * * * * Sport package adds: monochrom atc body trim, performance tires, sport-tuned suspension, sport steering »