From left to right: Shen Jinjun, Chairman of the China Automobile Dealers Association, Tim Ryan, CADA’s Vice-President and Director of Industry Relations & General Counsel, Mr. Chong Jooi Sng, Dealer Representative, China Automobile Dealers Association
A delegation from the China Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) met with their counterparts from the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) at their Ontario offices last week. The two “CADA” groups met to share insights on issues impacting dealers.
The meeting was part of CADA’s international outreach efforts, according to Tim Ryan, CADA’s Vice-President and Director of Industry Relations & General Counsel. “It was pursuant to CADA’s efforts to be more active in international affairs, to become aware of the things that could find their way to Canada and affect Canadian dealers,” said Ryan, adding that it was an excellent meeting.
Discussions touched on the future of the auto industry in Canada, and common issues affecting Chinese dealers and the Chinese economy, among others things. The meetings included discussions with representatives from the Automotive Business School of Canada (ABSC), and other CADA team members.
While in North America, the delegation from China also had meetings with the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) and then travelled to San Francisco where they attended the NADA Show.
In an interview with Canadian auto dealer, Shen Jinjun, Chairman of the China Automobile Dealers Association said talent recruitment and training are some of the key topics the delegation was keen to learn more about.
“From this meeting, we know so much more about the Canadian CADA. Some of the points we are really interested in are related to talent recruitment and training,” said Chairman Shen Jinjun through an interpreter. “In Canada with CADA there is a business school that is already systematic, so we want to learn more about that.”
Every family in China wants to buy a car and this is why the Chinese automotive market has not declined, said Chairman Jinjun. People consider it a huge part of their life.
Chairman Jinjun also said his association wanted to learn more about how CADA manages relationships with their OEMs and deals with contentious issues. “We want to learn how the Canadian CADA is helping the dealerships by being the best communicator between the dealership and the manufacturer, and how to decrease the tension between the two parties,” said Shen Jinjun.
The CADA’s Tim Ryan also represented CADA at the China Automobile Dealers Association convention in Haikou, China in December. His next meeting related to CADA’s international efforts will be in Geneva in early March.
