The 2011 Motor Trend International Auto Show zooms into the Baltimore Convention Center from Thursday, February 10th to Sunday, February 13th.  Spread the word to your employees and customers, this year's show is bigger and better! 

Special feature include several 2012 pre-production models from Ford, Buick and Chevrolet. A highlight returning from last year, Experience the Drive, will provide show guests the opportunity to test drive models from Buick, GM and Chevy. The latest in safety and alternative fuel technologies will be featured on the show floor.  

We also have something special for the kids... Chevrolet will feature a magic show.  Sunday is Family Day-all children 12 and under are admitted free on Sunday-and they'll have a chance to meet Spider Man and Iron Man!

Members are invited to take a break and grab a cold drink in the Association's Hospitality Suite located in Hall A, Charles Street Suite on the main level. The entrance is next to the Toyota display.

For further information and to view all the features and the floor map, please visit the show's website.

The 2011 Session of the Maryland General Assembly opened in January.  The Session has gone a bit slower than normal, but with 20% turnover, that is to be expected as new members adjust to their roles.  MADA utilized these first couple of weeks to become better acquainted with new legislators.  During these early meetings, MADA stressed the importance of automobile dealers in Maryland, their impact on our State economy and the support they provide to their local communities.  Legislators have been brought up to speed on the turmoil the dealer community has faced on the state and national level and that while things are improving; our industry isn't totally in the clear just yet.  Any slight setback to dealer sales will thwart the economic progress dealers are starting to realize again.

The remaining 70 days of Session are going to focus heavily on transportation funding.  Senator Garagiola from MontgomeryCounty has introduced a bill that will raise the gas tax by ten cents and increase registration fees by fifty percent.  His bill does not mention elimination of the trade-difference, but members of the legislature have suggested the removal of this credit in order to accumulate more funding.  MADA will take every step possible to ensure the trade-difference tax credit remains part of Maryland law.  We took preemptive action and submitted an Op-Ed in favor of the trade difference to the Maryland Gazette.  The article is expected to be printed on Friday, February 11th.  Maryland residents expect to receive a trade-difference credit and any attempt by the legislature to eliminate the credit will be spun by MADA as another tax increase.

We have also submitted legislation to allow temp tags to be issued even when customers maintain insurance violations.  It will be the customer's responsibility to pay these fines before a hard plate is issued.  MADA will ensure this policy is also applied to new vehicle registrations if the legislature votes to withhold permanent registrations for a resident's failure to pay their state tax obligations.

MADA will keep our members informed on all legislation impacting their business practices.  However, we also expect our members to be actively engaged and involved when asked to communicate with legislators.  History has shown that we are more successful when our members are involved in the legislative process.  A grassroots effort and your support are what we need to end the 2011 Session on high note and with victories for Maryland's dealer community.

We would like to thank all of our generous sponsors who made this year's NADA Reception possible.  Please consider those who support your Association when making business decisions...

Two Maryland dealers were recently honored with their nomination for the 2011 TIME Magazine Dealer of the Year award.  Tom O'Donnell, President of O'Donnell Honda Kia in Ellicott City, was honored this month for his nomination to represent MADAand Daniel Jobe, of Capitol Cadillac Fisker Buick GMC of Greenbelt, was chosen to represent WANADA as their nominee for the award. 

Both men were members of a select group of dealers from across the country honored at the 94th annual National Automobile Dealers Association Convention & Exposition in San Francisco.  The TIME Magazine Dealer of the Year award is one of the automobile industry's most prestigious and highly coveted awards for new-car dealers. Recipients are among the nation's most successful auto dealers, but they must also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to effective community service.

We thank both Tom and Daniel for their service to our industry and the support they provide to their community.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence [ASE] has announced that it will be moving to a new computer-based testing format by 2012.  Advantages of computer-based testing include the following;

·          Instant Test Results

·          More Testing Locations

·          Year-round testing

·          Same price and paper-and-pencil testing

The final paper-and-pencil format testing will take place in May and November 2011. 

Members are also reminded that the deadline for ASE certification tests in Spring 2011 is March 31, 2011.  Please visit the ASE website for further information or to register for an examination. 

We are pleased to welcome new Associate member, Aftermarket Boosters, LLC., specializing in automotive finance and aftermarket product solutions.  For further information, please contact Richard Baker at amb.rbaker@gmail.com or 443.280.9776. 

February 10-13, 2011 - Motor Trend International Auto Show-Baltimore

June 26-29, 2011 - MADA/VADA Family Convention, Williamsburg, VA