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On the Move-January 8, 2015

Baltimore Auto Show a Hit!

We hope that you attended and enjoyed the 2015 Motor Trend International Auto Show-Baltimore. Opening on New Year's Day this year proved to be a wise decision, as Thursday (Jan. 1st) was our biggest day of the show! Throngs of attendees took to the show floor on Thursday to check out and explore the latest in over 500 models. Many took advantage of hotel deals in Baltimore which provided free entrance to anyone who stayed overnight the evening before on New Year's Eve.

Once again, the Ride-and-Drive's were a popular opportunity amongst all attendees. Chrysler returned again with 10 models available for test drives from Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, and Ram. New this year were Ford and Nissan Ride-and-Drives. Nissan provided their all-electric Leaf for test drives. Ford provided two separate test drive experiences for show guests. Attendees had the opportunity to test drive the all-new Ford F-150 and boy was it something special! Also from Ford were the new 2015 Explorer, Fusion, and Escape.

Special car collections were also a hit feature of the 2015 auto show. Old classics courtesy of the Antique Automobile Club of America. Vintage vehicles included a gorgeous deep blue 1938 Packard and a coral-hued 1960 DeSoto. DuPont Registry Live was present complete with their collection of Lambourghinis, Porsche, and a bright-yellow McLaren. Luxury vehicles from Eurostar Auto Gallery in Cockeysville were also on display. Included in their special feature were a Bentley, two Corvettes, and a Ford Mustang Saleen Black Label.

As in year's past, Sunday was Family Day and drew many families with small children. Special guests on the show floor this year were Captain America and Spider-Man.

We had some poor weather over the weekend which slowed the crowds a bit, but thanks to Thursday's record attendance, we are happy to announce that attendance was up for 2015!

MADA thanks everyone for attending this year's Auto Show and we look forward to sharing the latest and greatest with you next year!

Join us in Two Weeks!

Maryland Automobile Dealers Association's Annual Membership Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at the Loews Annapolis Hotel followed by our legislative reception.

Members of both the executive and legislative branches of Maryland government will be invited. Seventy of our incoming legislators are first-term members of the General Assembly and are "new" to our industry. We must inform them of the importance of protecting the livelihood and future of Maryland's new car and truck dealers . In light of the legislative landscape it is critical that each dealership send a representative.

Please save the date and plan to attend. If you cannot attend, please see to it that a representative from your dealership attends on January 20th. Again, this is our opportunity to make a great first impression on these newest members of the legislative body in Annapolis!

To reserve a spot, please download and return the registration form. You may fax or mail it to MADA at :

MADA

7 State Circle, Suite 301

Annapolis, MD 21401

Fax: 410.269.1549

MADA Reception at NADA Convention

MADA extends the invitation to all members attending the 2015 NADA/ATD Convention & Expo to join us at our reception. The event will be hosted with members of the VADA and the WANADA Associations. Event details are as follows:

MADA / VADA /WANADA Reception

Friday, January 23, 2015

6:30-8:30 p.m.

Terra

511 Harrison Street

San Francisco, CA

2015 IRS Mileage Reimbursement Rates Change

As of January 1, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van, pickup or panel truck are:

57.5 cents per business miles driven (up from 56 cents/mile in 2014).
23 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes (down .05 cents from 2014)
14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations

For more information click here.

2014 NADA Dealership Workforce Study Industry Report is Now Available

The results from the 2014 NADA Workforce Study are now available. All dealers who participated in the study will receive a complimentary report. All others can purchase a copy of the report from NADA for $150.00.

Why is this report important??? The study analyzed compensation, retention and turnover, employee benefits, work schedules and hours of operation in car and truck dealerships. Its purpose: to arm dealers with the data needed to recruit, hire and retain top talent.

The Industry Report presents national and regional statistics culled from more than 240,000 payroll records. Key insights from the study show that dealerships offer above-average wages and earnings growth along with turnover rates for most dealership positions that fall below the national average for private-sector business.

Anyone wishing to purchase a copy of the report should call NADA Customer Service at 1.800.557.6232 or purchase it from the NADA U Store accessible from your NADA University account.

Maryland Automobile Dealers Association
7 State Circle, Suite 301
Annapolis, MD 21401
(800) 526.7423 (Toll-free)
(410) 269.1549 (Fax)

www.mdauto.org