Dealers and industry partners from across the nation joined NIADA for the 2024 Policy Conference in Washington, D.C.
Over one hundred NIADA members met with U.S. Representatives and Senators during the Day on the Hill, discussing the Right to Repair to bring down the costs of auto repairs for consumers, the REDO Act to stop the vehicle shopping rule and the PART Act to curtail catalytic converter thefts.
“A lot of people listened to our issues. We moved the needle on a couple of the issues and created more awareness,” said Cole Hitchcox of 865 Autos in Clinton, Tennessee.
Dealers met with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission to hold an open conversation about issues facing the industry. Dealers displayed the complexity of the paperwork in a current vehicle sale and explained the work they do on behalf of consumers.
“It was a great conversation. They were very receptive and not intimidating,” said Jack Carter of Turn and Burn Motors in Austell, Georgia, who was with the group of dealers meeting with the CFPB. “It was a roundtable discussion where they were seeking to understand our industry.”
The NIADA PAC Cup is heading to the Midwest.
Region III raised $71,200 Tuesday night during the PAC Cup Dinner to earn the title. Overall, independent dealers raked in $126,500 for the political action committee. The NIADA PAC, the Political Action Committee of the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association, financially supports candidates who support the used auto industry.
“Everybody’s a winner donating to the PAC,” said Gordon Tormohlen, NIADA Chairman and Region III member. “The money helps us support legislators who share our philosophy and in turn help dealers nationwide.”
The PAC Cup Dinner started with a rousing speech from U.S. Senator and retired college football coach Tommy Tuberville (Alabama). Tuberville thanked dealers for their contributions to the country and helping the working class access vehicles. “You take a chance on people,” Tuberville said. “You give a service to the people of this country. Thanks for being a capitalist and working to help this country.”
Independent dealers spent Monday evening talking with more than a dozen members of the U.S. Congress at the Capitol Hill Club. The Legislative Reception capped the first night of the NIADA Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., and provided dealers an opportunity to engage lawmakers on issues facing the independent auto industry.
The legislators at the reception were Steve Womack (Arkansas), Gary Palmer (Alabama), Morgan Griffith (Virginia), Buddy Carter (Georgia), Michelle Fischbach (Minnesota), Mike Collins (Georgia), Greg Murphy (North Carolina), John Joyce (Pennsylvania), Bob Latta (Ohio), Beth Van Duyne (Texas), Monica De La Cruz (Texas), Russell Fry (South Carolina) and Ralph Norman (South Carolina).
The lawmakers went around the room and visited with constituents. “They all were supportive of the association and want to learn about our issues,” said Greg Zak of Dixon Motors in Houston, Texas.
