This year marks Canadian auto dealer’s 20th anniversary — a milestone that’s hard to believe when I look back at how far we’ve come, and how much the industry has changed in that time.
When we started, the goal was simple: tell the stories of Canadian dealers and help make sense of an industry that’s always moving. Two decades later, that mission hasn’t changed, but just about everything else has.
Before anything else, I want to say thank you to the amazing people who’ve helped build this magazine. Our Publisher, Niel Hiscox, has led the way with energy, curiosity, and a clear belief in editorial independence. Linda Nadon, our Director of Business Development, has been a driving force from day one, building relationships and keeping the magazine connected to the industry we serve.
Over the years, we’ve also had the support of some terrific people like Kristina Alexiou, Director of Sales; Carina Ockedahl, former Managing Editor; and of course Gerry Malloy, our Founding Editor, who helped set the tone for everything that followed and continued to write for us until his well-earned retirement.
And I can’t forget our columnists. They represent the best lineup anywhere in the business. They bring real-world experience, sharp opinions, and perspectives that make every issue worth reading. They’ve helped shape this magazine’s voice, and I’m lucky to work with them (even if they are sometimes late submitting their columns!)
To our readers, thank you as well. You’re the reason we do this. Your feedback, ideas, and support push us to stay relevant and tell stories that matter to dealers in every corner of the country.
A special thanks, too, to the leaders of the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA). They’ve always respected our independence and supported our role in telling dealer stories honestly. That kind of backing means a lot, and it’s one of the reasons we’ve been able to keep growing and evolving for 20 years.
When I think back on what we’ve covered, it’s been quite a ride. We’ve seen the highs and lows, from the global financial crisis, to the pandemic, to chip shortages that turned the industry upside down. Through it all, dealers have shown incredible resilience. They’ve adapted, reinvented, and kept their focus on the customer, no matter what the world threw at them.
We’ve covered the big shifts up close: the rise of digital retail, the move to online sales during COVID, the EV transition, and the growing influence of data, software, and new mobility models. We’ve written about shrinking margins, changing OEM relationships, dealer consolidation, and the constant pressure to do more with less. And through it all, one thing’s stayed constant: dealers find ways to succeed.
Over the years, I’ve had the chance to meet dealers and association leaders from coast to coast. I’ve attended more industry events than I can count, like NADA shows, Digital Dealer conferences, CADA Summits, regional gatherings, and countless local meetings across Canada.
Our team has also been lucky enough to travel abroad to see how other markets are evolving, from England to China, and to think about what those changes might mean here at home. Everywhere I’ve gone, the people I’ve met have been smart, passionate, and deeply committed to what they do.
This industry never stands still. Dealers are navigating new technologies, tighter margins, and shifting business models, but they’re also finding new ways to serve customers, build loyalty, and create lasting relationships. In a world that’s becoming more digital and less personal, those human connections matter more than ever.
I’ve worked in newspapers, television, and edited more magazines than I can remember, but this has been the most rewarding and enjoyable work of my career. The people, the stories, and the sense of purpose behind this industry make it something special.
And the best part? We’re not done yet. The next few years may bring the biggest changes we’ve ever seen — electrification, full digital retailing, new OEM entrants, changing business models and trading relationships — that will redefine what it means to be a dealer. But whatever happens, Canadian auto dealer will be there to cover it, question it, and celebrate it.
Thanks for reading, and thanks for being part of this incredible journey!
