Top 6 Highlights From Policy Conference

Dealers and other industry members talked with Republican and Democratic members of Congressand their staffs on three important issues –Right to Repair, catalytic converter theft prevention and reform of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The NIADA members explained their position on the issues and answered questions from the legislators and staff. NIADA members also left documents describing the association’s position.“All of our meetings went great with all the Alabama representatives and[Senator]Tommy Tuberville,” saidNathan Turner, the president of Turner Motor Company in Springville, Alabama, who was recently elected to the Alabama Independent Automobile Dealers Association board.“We got a lot of comments about, ‘Let’s get it done.’ If you want to getsomething done, you have to get in there and work. I enjoy being a younger voice for the industry and look forward to serving.”

The PAC Dinner included an address from rising Republican representative Diana Harshbarger from Tennessee. Harshbarger, a pharmacist by trade, voiced support for NIADA on the REPAIR Act, which wouldempower consumers and promote competition in the automotive repair industry by safeguarding vehicle owners’ access to essential repair and maintenance information, ensuring independent repair shops, parts manufacturers and aftermarket service providers can continue to offer affordable and high-quality services.“It’s all about choice,” Harshbarger said. “I want to be able to do what I’m going to do with my vehicle or I’ll trade it in and get something that I can work on myself because that’s what people want to do.”

Representatives Mike Haridopolos (R-Florida) and Richard Hudson (R-North Carolina) joined NIADA members for lunch at the Library of Congress.Haridopolos visited Stepanek’s Auto Sales and Service, in Vero Beach, Florida, in Augustand learned about many of the challenges facing independent dealers.“You provide opportunity for people that are not in the best situation,” Haridopolos said.Hudson echoed Haridopolos’ sentiment.“It’s good to hear from people helping people,” Hudson said. “The association of auto dealers having to come to Washington tells you there’s an issue.”

After the meetings, NIADA members had one final chance to visit with several lawmakers who visited a reception in the House of Representatives’ Budget Committee room in the Cannon Building on Capitol Hill. PassTime GPS sponsored the event.

Led by the efforts on social media by Jack Carter of Turn & Burn Motors, Region 2 collected $24,155 for the PAC during the NIADA Policy Conference. Region 2 edged out reining PAC Cup champion Region 3 by $580.“Ultimately, we want to raise money to help do the right thing,” Carter said. “We want to get the legislature to support right to repair and other issues.” Collectively, dealers and industry members raised $104,225 for the NIADA PAC to strengthen the voice ofthe used vehicle industry in Washington, D.C.

The NIADA Policy Conference started with a pair of panel discussions and an update from the Federal Trade Commission.Helen Clark, Assistant Director in the Division of Financial Practices at the FTC, provided an update on the agency’s enforcement in the auto industry, which primarily focused on unwanted add-ons, bait-and-switch tactics and deceptive advertising. “We appreciate honest dealers because we are consumers ourselves,” Clark said.NIADA Director of Government Relations and Compliance Patrick O’Brien moderated an industry panel featuring Carter Salwin, Senior Manager of Government Affairs for MEMA, the Vehicles Suppliers Association, Ann Harter, Vice President of Congressional Affairs for the American Financial Services Association and Max Cole, Director of Communications for the National Auto Auction Association. The panel discussed the regulatory impacts to the used vehicle industry, including the CFPB, e-titling and tariffs.A second panel led by NIADA Director of Strategic Initiatives Danny Langfield featuredColorado IADA CEO David Cardella, Mississippi IADA Executive Director Dianne Dunlap, Southern New England IADA Executive Director Lou Tedeschi, Texas IADA Director of Regulatory Affairs Earl Cooke and Carolinas IADA Executive Director Marty Coates. The panel discussed their challenges and successes of working with state lawmakers and agencies.