Dealers are encouraged to participate in National Child Safety Month this September. Through a partnership between the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Child Passenger Safety Month is a nationwide effort to educate parents about the importance of properly securing children in approved car seats, booster seats, or with seat belts when traveling.

Experts estimate that four out of five child safety seats are installed incorrectly, and that approximately 40 percent of children under the age of eight injured in car crashes are completely unbelted. Oftentimes, these injuries are fatal.

NADA offers free handouts for distribution at inspection events. Information to help dealers plan and host a child safety seat inspection event is available on NADA's web site.

Plug-in electric vehicles offer lower operating costs and cleaner air for all Marylanders. To support customers shopping for an EV, the Maryland Energy Administration has created a one-page handout that should serve as a useful sales tool for EVs. The handout (which can be altered to include your dealership's logo) contains information on current EV sales incentives. Each incentive as a scan-able QR codes which will allow potential buyers on the lot and in the showroom to confirm the status of the financial incentives with their smartphone.   As some of these incentives are subject to available funding and sales quotas, being able to go directly to a government website to confirm the dollar amounts will give your customers confidence that they have the most up-to-date information.

  

The document is in Word so that dealerships can insert their logo and contact info at the top; Click Here to download the Word version which you can edit to suit your needs. A standard PDF version is also available by download but please be aware that this version cannot be edited to include a business logo.

Any individual interested in buying (or selling) a vehicle can now submit the VIN at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website and quickly determine if there are any unresolved recalls on that vehicle.  

Auto manufacturers are also required to keep the same data on their own websites, and they have to update the information at least once per week.

The new database benefits consumers, as well as dealerships. The VIN-based searches will help dealerships determine if particular used vehicles have any non-remedied safety recalls. The look-up tool can be used prior to making a purchase or taking in a trade, for used vehicles in inventory, or to help provide consumers with useful safety recall information on their vehicles.  

Dealers and consumers can access the new NHTSA tool online where a consumer FAQ and other recall-related information also are available.

The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has created a Q&A Sheet that responds to several questions dealers are asking on how best to handle recalls impacting new and used inventory, and service vehicles. The sheet also discusses the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Safety Recall database.

MADA would like to thank and recognize the following dealerships who have contributed to the Association's Political Action Committee. If your dealership is not on the list, we urge you to get on board today! Your financial contribution allows us to support those Maryland legislators who have put our interests first and who have supported our industry in the past. We must have a presence in Annapolis, but unfortunately that costs money.

If you would like to send in your contribution today, please download the contribution form and return it today.  You may provide a corporate check payable to MNCTDA/PAC and send it to RSM McGladrey, 100 International Dr., Suite 1400, Baltimore, MD 21202. If you have any questions, please contact Charlotte Rutkowski at the Association office, 800.526.7423.

AKA Solutions, LLC.  Providing automotive consulting and training to dealerships in Maryland.  130 N. Broadway, Unit 1M, Bel Air, MD, 21014.  Rudy Williams, President, 443.567.6165 or email: rwtrains@comcast.net. 

New Webinars Announced from DealersEdge 

What are the common traits that allow some Automotive General Managers to stand out among their peers?  For many years, Jeff Sacks has conducted a well-known and respected training session, specifically focused on the role of the dealership General Manager. Through this and other professional experiences, he has interacted with thousands of dealership GMs.  Jeff is taking all this insight and perspective and will visit with us to discuss just what makes an exceptional General Managers. Join us for this workshop and learn either what you need to do to join the ranks of the Exceptional or what to look for in prospective GMs or GMs-in-training.  This webinar will cover the following: