|
|
On the Move-August 27, 2013
|
|
We have received a number of calls during the past month regarding factory warranty audits. It appears that a number of manufacturers are increasing the scope of their audit activity. Dealers should be aware that MD Franchise Law provides dealers specific protections when dealing with the factory on warranty audits.
Section 15-212 (6) limits the lookback period for a warranty audit to nine (9) months from the time the claim was paid or a credit issued by the manufacturer (lookback period is six (6) months for incentive audits.).
·If a claim filed under this section is shown by the manufacturer or distributor to be false or unsubstantiated, the manufacturer or distributor may charge back the claim within 9 months from the date the claim was paid or credit issued.
Section 15-212 (5) prevents the manufacturer from charging back for a paperwork/clerical error.
· A dealer's failure to comply with the specific requirements of the manufacturer or distributor for processing a claim may not constitute grounds for denial of the claim or reduction of the amount of compensation paid to the dealer if the dealer presents reasonable documentation or other evidence to substantiate the claim.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call Peter Kitzmiller or Travis Martz at the Association office at 800.526.7423.
|
Last Chance to Register for MADA Golf Outing & Crab Feast!
MADA will host our annual Golf Outing and Crab Feast at Queenstown Harbor on the Eastern Shore on Wednesday, September 11, 2013. Prices are the same as last year's event, $185.00 per golfer and $75.00 per ticket to the crab feast only. Tickets will only be sold in advance!
Please call MADA to confirm if there is still space available on the golf course, 800.526.7423. We look forward to seeing you in September!
|
Digital Dealer Mid-Atlantic Workshop-You Don't Want to Miss this!
MADA, in partnership with Digital Dealer, will present a Mid-Atlantic Digital Dealer Workshop on Tuesday, September 17 in Pikesville, MD. This all-day event will feature sixteen sessions, each showcasing the automotive industry's premier digital strategy speakers. Each speaker will focus on how to best use the Internet, social media, and other digital technologies to sell and service more vehicles more profitably.
Topic areas will include the following:
- Keynote Presented by Google
- Digital Marketing & Social Media
- Reputation Management & Customer Loyalty
- Data & Analytics
- Sales & Fixed Operations
We have prearranged an incredibly low cost for MADA members, $99 for the first person from your dealership and $49 for every subsequent employee. Click on the link below to register today!
Date: Tuesday, September 17
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton-Baltimore North-Pikesville
Cost: $99 for the first MADA Member Dealership Employee and $49 for each additional MADA Member Dealership Employee
|
|
Rooms Available to Book for MADAF Nov. 8 Gala
MADA has a block of rooms reserved at the Hyatt Regency in Bethesda, located just a short drive from the Columbia Country Club where this year's Gala will be hosted on November 8th. Room rates are $95/night and the block expires on October 8th. To make a reservation, please CLICK HERE. If a group code is required, please use "MAA1."
|
KPA: Motor Vehicle AC Servicing Requirements and Safety Concerns
With summer in full swing, it's a good time to review your dealership's Motor Vehicle Air Conditioners (MVAC) requirements. The handling and recycling of refrigerants used in motor vehicle air-conditioning systems is regulated by the EPA under Section 609 of the Clean Air Act. As we have cautioned before, historically the Air Protection Branch of the EPA has been very strict with their enforcement. The Clean Air Act often has some of the heaviest fines, so this is not something to ignore. Some requirements to keep in mind...
Equipment Requirements - Ensure your dealership is using only EPA Certified Refrigerant Handling Equipment.
- Ensure that you have previously notified the EPA that your dealership is performing MVAC work by sending in the MVAC Refrigerant Recovery/Recycling Equipment Form.
- Keep a copy of the completed form sent in, along with the delivery receipt, in the AC folder of your KPA yellow box for proof that your dealership notified the EPA about your MVAC work. If you are a KPA client and do not have these documents, consult with your KPA Engineer about notifying the EPA again.
For further information and details, please read the full article...
|
2013 Maryland Regional Auto Dealers Seminar
Complí, Crowe Horwath LLP, Fisher & Phillips LLP, Capital Automotive, Wells Fargo and Charapp & Weiss LLP will present a Maryland Regional Seminar on Wednesday, September 18th in Cockeysville, MD. This free event will feature six sessions, each exploring relevant trends and issues within the Automotive Industry. This Seminar is designed for Dealers and Executive Dealership Personnel.
Date: Wednesday, September 18th, 2013
Time: 8:30 am to 2:00 pm
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Cost: Free. RSVP is Required and Space is Limited.
To register, please contact Jonica Smith.
|
|
New Webinars from DealersEdge
#1: Dealership Data Security in a World of More and More 3rd Party Vendors
Date/Time: Thursday, September 5 at 1pm
Presenter: Russell Grant
Cost: $149.00 per participant
New systems and services are popping up in the car business almost daily. Often to benefit from the service offered, you must grant access to your raw customer data. When faced with this request, you should ask if this is safe. You should also consider all the downside risks. This webinar will not only point out the risks involved when 3rd parties have access to your data...it will also outline for you what you can do to keep dealership as data-secure as possible.
You will learn:
- What to look for in vendors to make sure they are equipped to keep your data safe and secure
- A step-by-step guide to dealership data security including questions to ask your vendors about their data-handling policies
- The importance of SSAE Certification and why your vendors should have it before they access your database.
- Internal best practices to protect dealership and customer data
Date/Time: Thursday, September 12 at 1pm
Presenter: Brian Pasch of PCG Digital Marketing
Cost: $149.00 per participant
This webinar will describe how you can use Google's Wildfire platform to provide a better customer experience and improve the ROI of your Digital Marketing/Social Media efforts. The growth of the impact of Social Media platforms coupled with the rapid growth in the number and use of mobile devices has again turned the world of digital marketing on its ear. What you learned yesterday, may no longer apply.
Keeping up with Google is a full time job for many. Frequent DealersEdge Contributor, Brian Pasch does just that. He is so impressed with the capabilities of Google Wildfire, that his firm has partnered with Google to specifically fit this platform into dealership digital marketing efforts. In this webinar, you will learn:
- Why device independent website pages are critical for reaching customers
- Why social media advertising opens new doors to reach in-market shoppers
- Why Polk vehicle ownership data is powering social media advertising success
- How to expand the leads and sales opportunities for your dealership with a mobile marketing strategy
|
|
Maryland Automobile Dealers Association
7 State Circle, Suite 301
Annapolis, MD 21401
(800) 526.7423 (Toll-free)
(410) 269.1549 (Fax)
www.mdauto.org
|
|
|
|
|
Interested in advertising in our quarterly publication, In Gear?
Please contact Don F. Brown with Media Communications for more information: 813.423.1429 or
|
|
