As years go, 2008 was an extremely challenging year for our industry and we are happy to put it behind us and begin a fresh new year.

 

Work began in the summer of 2008 developing a legislative agenda for the 2009 regular session of the Virginia General Assembly and we have developed a powerful package! (See complete article here) When the session begins on Wednesday, January 14th, we will need the help of every dealer to see it passed into law. 

 

And we need every dealer to join us in Richmond on Wednesday, January 28th for our “Assault the Hill,” Dealer Day at the Virginia Capitol!  This importance of this event cannot be overstated. We have a breakfast and Briefing at 7 a.m. at The Richmond Marriott, then break into groups of staff & dealers and walk 3 blocks to the Capitol. You will spend a few hours meeting with legislators and be on your way before noon!

 

 

But, we can’t leave 2008 without taking a moment to remember our efforts and successes. The first six months were spent fighting the transportation funding efforts which were targeted primarily at Virginia’s dealers and car buyers. It was a long, tough fight, but ultimately we were victorious.

 

We immediately found ourselves fighting for dealers’ rights with more than a half dozen manufacturers who were in violation of Virginia law. All of these issues were resolved satisfactorily.

 

Of course for the last quarter of the year Team VADA has been doing everything possible to help ease the current economic challenges. We fought for the bridge loans for the domestic manufacturers, something even import manufacturers acknowledged were critical. We fought to free up credit for car buyers. And we ran, and continue to run, an extensive PR campaign to get the word out that this is a great time to buy a new vehicle.

 

We also assembled a “Team VADA Crisis Pack” which includes articles on manufacturer bankruptcy and mergers, staff reductions, preparing for a dealership closure, and financial considerations in day-to-day operations. Additionally, we held Town Hall Meetings around Virginia dealing with these issues and many more, meetings attended by more than 300 dealers and managers.

 

Thank you for your support during 2008. We can’t succeed without you. Thank you to those who wrote letters, made calls, made visits, came to events and meetings, and responded to our calls. And special thanks to those dealers who use the VADA Insurance Agency which provides the majority of the funding for our operations on your behalf.

 

With your support we look forward to a successful 2009!