YOUTH A KEY FOCUS AT THE NOVA SCOTIA AUTOMOBILE DEALERS ASSOCIATION (NSADA) ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Students from the Automotive Business School of Canada and moderator Niel Hiscox
It didn’t feel a whole lot like spring at this year’s CADEX East “spring training” conference, with snow piled up all over the streets of Halifax, but dealers shook off the winter chill and tackled the issues of the day.
After introductory remarks by NSADA President Duane Rath, the OEM keynote speaker, Don Durst, vice-president of Sales, with Subaru Canada. Inc. warmed up the crowd.
Durst said he had tremendous respect for dealers and applauded their efforts to keep their teams well-trained with the 55 new vehicle launches slated for Canada this year, and with 77 expected in 2016.
“I admire all of you so much getting prepared for this onslaught,” he said. “This is crazy,” he said, adding that everyone in the industry loves new product.
With regards to Subaru: “We are humble and hungry,” said Durst, telling dealers that he expects Subaru to sell about 45,000 vehicles in Canada in 2015. “We are very, very pleased with that.”
Durst also thanked the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association for helping them improve relations with their dealers by following up on the recommendations in the CADA’s annual Dealer Satisfaction Index (DSI) program.
Don Durst, vice-president of Sales, with Subaru Canada
Michael Hatch, the CADA’s Chief Economist, provided dealers with a good snapshot into the national economic picture, and also some predictions about the local economy and how it might impact vehicle sales in 2015.
“Michael Hatch is always interesting,” said Al MacPhee, CADA Laureate and Dealer Principal with MacPhee Ford. “He lives this business and no dealer could know as much as Mike about the auto industry in the country at large…he really understands the game.”
Hatch was mostly upbeat about the prospects for dealers, predicting another record year for vehicle sales in 2015, but did highlight mounting debt levels as a cause for concern. He said Nova Scotia dealers generated $2.6 billion in sales in 2014, which represented 6.2 per cent of the provincial GDP.
YOUTH MOVEMENT
One of the highlights of this year’s event was the participation of three students from the Automotive Business School of Canada (ASBC) located in Barrie, Ont. in a special panel session about the future of work, and what dealers need to consider for their own recruitment efforts.
The panel, moderated by Niel Hiscox, publisher of Canadian auto dealer, featured ABSC students Ashley Schneider, Matthew Garwood and Michael Anderson.
NSADA President Duane Rath
“Not many people want one job for the rest of their lives. They want growth, they want change,” said Lauzon.
“It was important for dealers to hear some different perspectives to help them ensure that the automotive retail jobs are aligned with what the next generation are looking for.”
MacPhee said he was struck by the comments from the students.
“We have to have new blood in the industry,” said MacPhee, adding that teachers and guidance counsellors seldom steer students towards the automotive retail industry.
“Here’s a job that goes on for life,” said MacPhee, adding that by his calculations there are as many as 40 different jobs in the sector they could pursue. “We need the sharpest minds.”
Anderson, an ABSC student, said the panelists helped dealers get a sense of what young people are looking for from their future employers. “We are looking forward in our careers and what might draw us towards a dealerships — and possibly away from a dealership,” said Anderson.
NEW OPPORTUNITIES
Other highlights from this year’s event included a session on “successfully selling to subprime and near-prime customers,” featuring John Kontos, Director of Sales, Eastern Canada with TD Auto Finance, and Steve Chipman, CADA Chairman and the President of the Birchwood Automotive Group, who took part via a videotaped interview.
“There’s opportunity out there and we are just letting that escape from us,” said Chipman, adding that you need dedicated people focused on the subprime market to do it effectively.
Todd Phillips, editorial director for Canadian auto dealer offered dealers tips on how to simplify their digital marketing measurement.
Rick Gauthier, President and CEO of CADA, took part in a fireside chat session with moderator Niel Hiscox, and offered a national perspective on the key issues of the day affecting dealers across the country. “I haven’t met a high-level executive in our industry that isn’t bullish about 2015,”
said Gauthier.
Gino Cozza, Head of Canadian Sales at TD Auto Finance, also shared some welcome news for local dealers and event organizers. “We have extended our sponsorship of this great event for another three years,” said Cozza. “We are proud to be the exclusive sponsor.”
For more information on this year’s event, visit: www.CADEXNovaScotia.com
