According to a recent survey by Ally Financial and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), in the U.S., auto dealers continue to give back to their local communities through donations and volunteerism, with nearly 65 per cent increasing charitable contributions in 2013 compared with last year, based on the study’s findings. The 2013 Dealer Charitable Survey, which polled dealer principals across the U.S., also found that approximately 39 per cent of dealers expect to increase their contributions again in 2014, even though the majority believes their giving will remain flat going forward.
Additionally, dealers and their staffs continue to mobilize in their communities to volunteer and support local organizations. The survey found that nearly 45 per cent of dealership employees volunteer more than 50 hours per year.
Survey data also showed:
-
More than 55 per cent of dealers donated $25,000 or more in 2012, with a median value donated of approximately $30,000 per dealer;
-
More than 63 per cent of dealers surveyed said their dealerships organize staff volunteerism in the community, with nearly 28 per cent saying their employees provide more than 100 hours of community service;
-
Nearly 90 per cent of dealers surveyed said they contribute to organizations focused on community services, followed closely (80 per cent) by local (non-national) causes. Education-related organizations (74 per cent) followed in third.
“The contributions auto dealers make to their local communities each year is inspiring, and we are proud to work so closely with such high-caliber, civic-minded business leaders day in and day out,” said Tim Russi, president of Auto Finance for Ally Financial. “Heading into our third year of support for the TIME Dealer of the Year program, it’s clear that dealers across the country show no sign of slowing these crucially important contributions to their communities.”
In continued support of dealers across the country, Ally Financial will once again sponsor the TIME Dealer of the Year awards, which recognizes the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service. Heading into its 45th year, the program is produced in cooperation with NADA and is renowned as one of the automobile industry’s most prestigious awards for new car dealers.
Nominees for the 2013 TIME Dealer of the Year award will be announced in October, with the winner being named at the NADA Convention and Expo in New Orleans, La. on January 25, 2014.