The News From the Auto Dealer’s Convention 2009

Welcome to New Orleans and NADA 2009.

For the past several days I have been posting my top ten used car list. Today, however, I thought I might take a break from that and write a little about where I have been for the past couple of days.

The Car Business “State of the Union” Address

Today, and for the past few days, I am in New Orleans for the NADA (National Auto Dealers Association) Convention 2009. The NADA convention is a gathering of automobile dealers from across the country who come together once a year to network, workshop and learn from specialists and each other as well as to look at the new products available to us from hundreds of vendors. There are numerous speakers and parties hosted by different vendors or by the manufacturers themselves to display upcoming products and teach new techniques dealers can use to increase business.

How Car Dealers Are Fighting Back

Well, this year, as you might expect, attendance is down somewhat. Judging simply by the number of people I have seen within the exposition at any given time I would guess it may be down as much as forty percent or thereabouts. Of course a number of dealers from across the country have gone out of business over the past year and a number of others have been operating under such a tight budget that expenses like the convention just aren’t manageable at this time. While this is a product of tough economic times and definitely not a desirable situation it is not what I will remember about NADA 2009 in the future.

What Resolve and Determination Will Do

What I have really noticed at this year’s convention is resolve and determination. Despite the recent rumors of the death of the U.S auto industry, after spending time at the convention this weekend, I think things are going to be getting better. And maybe sooner rather than later.

How the Automotive Consumer Will Benefit

Everywhere you go at the convention there are bright innovative determined businessmen and women who are far from throwing in the towel. This year’s convention is not one of desperation and panic, but one of change. The industry is evolving and we dealers, at least the ones who will be here five years from now, are changing with it. Manufacturers lines are changing, becoming leaner, meaner and greener. Marketing is changing, becoming more information, relationship and network oriented. And dealers are changing, becoming more technological and forward thinking.

Bush-Clinton and Archie

Today ex-presidents Bush 41 and Clinton will be speaking at the conference and when added to the list of those who have spoken already, names like Allen Mulally, Archie Manning and Christopher Gardner, not to mention all the great workshop speakers, one can’t help but be awed by the information and knowledge assembled and, thereby, inspired and hopeful for the future of the industry. Yes, economic times are tough. And yes the auto industry has taken a serious hit in the past several months But, since this convention, during the time I have spent here I can’t help but feel that there is a bright new day just around the corner.

The Car Loan Vault is Reopened…..More Money is Now Available

Financing is available again. Great, exciting new products are being developed and released. Dealers are moving towards the future, and trying to deal with consumers in the most convenient, unobtrusive and information oriented ways possible.

The Pillars of the Community

So don’t count out the auto dealers just yet. And don’t worry about where you will get that next new or used car or truck. Nope, we are still here, whether in Bartlesville or Cleveland, or New York City, and we are still strong. We plan on being around for a while and serving the public in new and progressive ways to inform the consumer and make the auto shopping experience easier and more fun than ever before.

That’s what I got out of the convention, anyway. Drop a comment and let me know what you think the future for your local auto dealers looks like.

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