MADA is sad to announce the passing of two of local industry members.

Mr. Norman G. "Mutt" Burdette, 91, longtime dealer of Burdette Brothers Pontiac, died Friday, September 2, 2011, at his home in Hyattstown, MD. He was the husband of Betty Sawyers Burdette.

Born June 6, 1920 in Hyattstown, he was a son of the late Willie Lloyd and Maud Wilkins Burdette.
Norman served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, from 1942 -1946. He was a lifetime member and past president of Hyattstown Volunteer Fire Department and the Hyattstown Volunteer Fire Department Hall of Fame; a life time member Hyattstown Christian Church; and life time member of American Legion Post 171 Damascus.

He is preceded in death by his first wife Anna B. Burdette, a sister Mary R. Price, and brothers Lloyd W. Burdette and Raymond R. Burdette.

Friends may call 5-9 p.m. Tuesday, September 6, at Molesworth-Williams P.A., Funeral Home, 26401 Ridge Road, Damascus, Maryland. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 7 at Damascus United Methodist Church, 9700 New Church Street, Damascus, Maryland. Reverend Lisa Smith of Hyattstown Christian Church will officiate. Interment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick, Maryland. In lieu of flowers the family request memorial contributions to Hyattstown Volunteer Fire Department, 25801 Frederick Rd., Clarksburg, Md. 20871; or Hospice of Frederick County, 516 Trail Avenue, Frederick, Md. 21702. Online condolences may be shared with the family at MolesworthWilliams.com.

We also extend our deepest condolences to the family of Bettye Jeanne Mortimer, mother of Bruce Mortimer of Anderson Automotive Group. Betty Jeanne died at Greater Baltimore Medical Center on August 26, 2011 following complications from surgery, she was 83. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345 or the American Lung Association National Headquarters, 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20004 202-785-3355.

It's just over a week away! MADA will host our highly anticipated annual Golf Outing and Crab Feast at Queenstown Harbor on the Eastern Shore on Wednesday, September 14, 2011.  

Registration forms were sent out in early August and can also be downloaded from our website. Please send in yours today to reserve your spot on the course!  We'll see you next week!

MADA announces the next live webinars coming to you from DealersEdge...

#1 - New Trends in Dealership Compensation - Getting Past "Percentage of the Gross"

Date / Time: September 8, 2011 at 1:00 p.m.
Cost: $149.00

Presenter: Steve Nickelsen of Nickelsen Partners and Special Guest Chris Harrell of Chris Harrell Consulting - Gen "Y" Expert

Almost from the beginning of auto retailing, pay plans have been "a percentage of the gross profit." It is just not working as well as it did before (if it ever really performed). With 70 million Gen "Y" in the workforce, their seemingly quirky attitudes and expectations cry out for a "new way" to compensate and supervise your managers and sales staff.

So, what kinds of pay plan changes are successful, forward-thinking dealers bringing into play in this environment? And will these new compensation models help you reach your goals?

Partial list of topics includes...
Why "percentage of the gross" is not working as well as it used to in the past
How to identify clear-cut goals in your compensation planning
How you can balance the needs of Gen "Y" staff members with the very different needs of older generation staffers
Why this generational change may pose the biggest challenge to car dealers in decades

#2 - How to Maximize the Future Value of Your Dealership Enterprise

Date / Time: September 15, 2011 at 1:00 p.m.
Cost: $149.00

Presenters: James "Butch" Williams, CPA/ABV/CFF and Partner-in-Charge of the Dealer Services Group for Dixon Hughes Goodman, LLP & Kevin Yeanoplos CPA/ABV/CFF, ASA, Director of Valuation Services for Brueggerman and Johnson, Yeanoplos P.C.

Every business owner should not only concentrate on the day-to-day success of bottom line profits - but also on building the future value of the enterprise; all toward that "day" some time down the road, when selling the business is desirable or necessary.

When and if that day arrives - the steps you take today can increase or decrease that value. Learn to maximize your future value by attending this Webinar

You will learn how each of the following will impact the value of your dealership(s):
· Your relationship with the OEM/factory
· Issues related to your real estate
· Implications of your 2008-10 financial performance
· What franchises you represent
· The physical location of your dealerships
· Family members in your organization  

Click Here to register today for either of these webinars!  

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has recently stated that it is illegal for a dealer to deny warranty coverage simply because a consumer had routine maintenance or repairs performed by another facility. Routine maintenance often includes oil changes, tire rotations, belt replacement, fluid checks and flushes, new brake pads and inspections. A warranty is a promise, often made by a manufacturer, to stand behind its product, or to fix certain defects or malfunctions over a period of time. The warranty pays for any covered repairs or part replacements during the warranty period.

According to the FTC, an independent mechanic, a retail chain shop or consumers themselves can do routine maintenance and repairs on their vehicle with no impact on that vehicle's warranty. In fact, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which is enforced by the FTC, makes it illegal for manufacturers or dealers to claim that a warranty is void or to deny coverage under a warranty simply because someone other than the dealer did the work.

There are, however, certain situations where a repair may not be covered. For example, if a consumer or a non-dealer mechanic replaced a belt improperly and the engine is damaged as a result, the manufacturer or dealer may deny responsibility for fixing the engine under the warranty. However, according to the FTC, the manufacturer or dealer must be able to demonstrate that it was the improper belt replacement-rather than some other defect-that caused the damage.

The FTC also stressed that simply using an aftermarket or recycled part does not void a vehicle's warranty. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act makes it illegal for companies to void a warranty, or deny coverage under the warranty, simply because an aftermarket or recycled part was used in a repair. Still, if it turns out that the aftermarket or recycled part was defective or wasn't installed correctly, and such part causes damage to another part that is covered under the warranty, the manufacturer or dealer has the right to deny coverage for that part and charge for any repairs. The FTC says the manufacturer or dealer must show that the aftermarket or recycled part caused the need for repairs before denying warranty coverage.  

The National Labor Relations Board recently announced its final rule that will require most private sector employers to post a notice to employees regarding their rights to organize a union. The rule requires postings in all places where notices are customarily posted and electronic posting on employee intranet sites.  Employers should begin posting the notice on November 14, 2011.  Copies of the notice will be available on the NLRB website and from NLRB regional offices by November 1.  Failure to post the notice by November 14 is considered an unfair labor practice.