When you take the helm of an organization like NADA, you never know the type of year that lies ahead, but outgoing NADA Chairman Jeff Carlson told dealers his term was like piloting a plane during a “catastrophic electrical failure.”
The colourful remarks were made during his final address to delegates at this week’s NADA Convention and Expo in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Carlson says he started out as Chairman with what he thought would be a routine flight plan, only to have outside events force him to toss those plans out the window. “You have to remain calm and make good decisions at important moments. Pilot training always dictates that you choose the right course,” he said. “So you must always plan for the best, but prepare for the worst.”
One example he cited for the rocky flight was the NADA’s successful defence of the right to provide customers discounted loans by preserving dealer-assisted financing. “Just like 1917, when the government tried to impose a luxury tax on cars, we stood up for our customers. It’s 2017, and again we have successfully fought off the government’s effort to end loan discounts for customers.”
Carlson said the association also successfully educated legislators and the public on the negative impact of grounding cars with open recalls and showing how competition between dealers saves customers an average of $500 per new car. Carlson said battles still lie ahead including the upcoming CAFE regulations.
