Minority Dealers Association Execs Speak Out
This year is going to be a rough year fo r all auto dealers, but particularly so fo r minority-owned dealerships. A ll o f the associations represent
African-American, N ative American, Hispanic, Asian and other ethnic minorities. Representatives o f the fo u r major dealer associations
responded to the question: w hat is the biggest challenge facing y o u r association this yea r?
Mattonai Association of Minority Automobile Boaters
8401 Corporate Dr., Suite 405
Lanham, MD 20785
301-306-1614
www.namad.com
business to resign. Our challenge is to minimize the number
of minority casualties in a depressed market."
General Motors Minority Dealer Association
29433 Southfield Rd., Suite 210
Southfield, Ml 48076
248-552-9040
www.gmmda.org
"We are trying to figure out
how we can readjust the auto­
mobile retail network to mirror
its customer base in America.
Across the country, state and
metro associations are serious­
ly undermining the efforts of
dealer development programs,
which is the primary vehicle for
diversity inclusion in the auto
industry. We challenge those states and metro associations to
present in writing to ÑAMAD their diversity program. '
Another misperception is that we don't represent all eth­
nic minorities -- we do. We will continue to fight every day for
viable opportunities for all ethnic minorités in the automotive
business. In fact, we have mechanisms in place to meet with
dealers on a quarterly basis. So, we will continue to address
critical concerns. It's a healthy exercise, and going through
this process will only help ÑAMAD.
Fort Motor Mtoority Dealer Aosoctatton
(formerly Ford Lincoln Mercury
Association)
16000 West Nine Mile Rd., Suite 603
Southfield, MI 48075
248-557-2500
Minority
Dealer
Executive Director: Marterte Staten
Representing 119 dealers
"We have a number of dealers
in an impaired condition operat­
ing in a softening market. We
anticipate not being able to save
some dealers who can't survive
this year. There are stringent
requirements that dealers have to
meet in GM's dealer develop­
ment program. It is not flexible. If
the investing partner does not get
a certain return on investment in a time frame it specifies, then
they will take your dealership. There is no fair process to take
a dealer out. We are already seeing casualties from this. This is
a trying year for us."
(formerly Chrysler Minority Dealer Association)
1110 West Orangethorpe
Fullerton, CA 92833
714-879-6880
PrcsMaHC Steve Rate*
Representing 117 dealers
Executive Director: Retort A. MB
Representing 381 members
"The market is down and the
inventories are beyond belief.
Sales have been soft since mid-
October. Dealers are going out
of business. There is a program
under foot now at Ford to give
dealers an opportunity to resign
and get their investment back.
That doesn't resolve the prob­
lem. They did not choose this
African Americans On W heels
"This is a tough year primari­
ly due to the economy. We went
from a primarily American cul­
ture to a German culture. We've
spoken with the new manage­
ment and they continue to stay
committed to the dealer develop­
ment program. We are more
concerned with entry into the
import markets, which is dismal.
The imports continue to eat up market share but we aren't
getting our share of the pie."
wivw.onwheeLsinc.com