CATA News

The Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), the area’s new-car dealer association and producer of the Chicago Auto Show, announced the return of Chicago Drives Electric, to be held Sept. 29-Oct. 1. In alignment with National Drive Electric week, Chicago Drives Electric aims to raise awareness on a local level of the many benefits of all-electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles and help consumers understand how EVs can fit individual needs and lifestyles.

Registrants will have the opportunity to test drive and experience a variety of brands, ranging from luxury to mainstream, including Alfa Romeo, Audi, Cadillac, Chrysler, Ford, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo. Models include the Audi RS e-tron GT, Cadillac LYRIQ, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai IONIQ 6, Nissan ARIYA, Toyota Prius Prime, and Volvo C40 Recharge, among a variety of others. Kia will also have its all-new EV9 three-row SUV on static display, allowing Chicago Drives Electric attendees one of the first chances to see this vehicle in person. Automakers will once again enlist knowledgeable product specialists to be on hand throughout the event to field consumer questions and help demonstrate the features and benefits of each vehicle.

In addition to putting interested parties behind the wheel of an array of the latest EVs, event organizers are bringing in a variety of experts to help break down the various aspects of EV ownership and tackle complex topics such as range anxiety; at-home charging solutions; on-the-go charging and infrastructure; tax credits and incentives; and where people can begin their search. On-hand experts will include representatives from Cars.com, CHARGE Enterprises, ComEd, Drive Chicago and Powering Chicago.

The inaugural Chicago Drives Electric event, held in fall of 2022, produced nearly 3,000 in-vehicle experiences for interested consumers, and this year is shaping up to attract even more attendees to experience a wider portfolio of brands and models.

“Chicago Drives Electric is a unique experiential event that allows the public to get behind the wheel of the latest electrified vehicles back-to-back,” said JC Phelan, Chicago Auto Show chairman. “Space is limited to ensure a quality experience for all involved. When spaces for the fall event fill up, we’ll encourage people to visit the 2024 Chicago Auto Show’s Chicago Drives Electric EV test track inside McCormick Place, which will provide ample opportunities for interested parties to learn about and experience the latest EVs.”

“The expanded Chicago Drives Electric hub at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show hosted five brands with a wide range of EVs to test drive, producing more than 155,000 in-vehicle experiences,” Phelan added. “This is a testament to the continued momentum behind Chicago Drives Electric as auto manufacturers debut the latest models and new technology.”  

“The EV market continues to be in a rapid growth pattern,” added Kelly Webb Roberts, CATA chairwoman. “As the public navigates this next generation of driving, we want our communities to know that the Chicagoland new-car dealers are here to be partners in that journey. After more than a century of driving internal combustion engine vehicles, consumers are destined to have questions on the expeditious push to EVs, and Chicagoland’s new-car dealers are crucial in providing those resources and much-needed education.”

Registrations have limited capacity and are available at ChicagoAutoShow.com on a first-come, first-served basis. Once all time slots have filled, a waitlist will open for those wishing to attend.

For more information, visit: https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/about-the-show/chicago-drives-electric-2023 and follow Chicago Drives Electric on Facebook and Instagram. Test drives are reserved exclusively for the public who pre-registered for the event.

Imperial Surveillance is a licensed security contractor headquartered in Chicago with offices in Ft Wayne and Milwaukee.  Imperial has partnered with several national brands and numerous car dealerships throughout the Midwest, providing the latest technologies in real-time video monitoring to protect the property of their clients. 

With security strategies that include Surveillance Camera Systems, Burglar Alarms, Access Control, Key fob Systems, Fire Alarms, Intercoms and License Plate Recognition, Imperial’s most important offering is Live Video Monitoring.  Dealership property can be live-monitored using existing cameras or with one of Imperial’s mobile camera towers.  Both options have a staff of monitoring agents that use a combination of responses like live call downs, strobes, loud sirens, and police dispatching.

 Imperial treats its customers as business partners.  They offer a full security analysis at no charge and provide all the best technologies available. To learn more, visit www.imperialcctv.com or contact Joe DeFrancesco, Major Accounts Executive at JoeD@Imperialcctv.com / 847-452-7028.

Use of Leave

Pay Upon Termination

Excluded Employers

As a benefit of your CATA Membership, dealers can contact SESCO with HR and union questions by calling 800-764-4127 or sending an email to sesco@sescomgt.com. Additionally, dealers can contact Jamie Hasty at jamie@sescomgt.com or 804-931-6281.

Since the latest rules governing EV purchase tax credits (30D) came into effect on April 18, 2023, the list of vehicles eligible for the purchase tax credit has changed. As of August 15, 2023, eight MY 2023 models qualify for the full $7,500 credit, and eight MY 2023 models qualify for the $3,750 credit. In addition, four MY 2024 models will also qualify, three at $7,500 and one at $3,750.

To obtain the credit, consumers and dealers do not need to know the qualifying factors (including battery and mineral content and assembly location). The relevant information they do need includes: whether that vehicle qualifies for a tax credit (and if it receives the full $7,500 or the half credit of $3,750), the vehicle’s MSRP and the consumer’s modified adjusted gross income.

With dealer input, NADA is advocating for a VIN search program, so that they and consumers can easily verify which vehicles qualify.

MY 2023 models qualifying for the full $7,500 credit:

MY 2023 models qualifying for $3,750 credit:

Additional models qualifying in 2024:

It has come to our attention that many dealerships are placing passenger plates on Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz. These vehicles are considered TRUCKS by the state of Illinois and must be plated properly.

Previously, the fee for switching plates from passenger plates to truck plates had been waived; however, beginning Sept. 1, 2023, if a customer is not given the appropriate truck plate for these vehicles, the dealership will be responsible for the $29.00 switch plate fee.

The CATA has received a confirmed report of 11 cases of odometer rollbacks on a truck trades from Stellantis. A hauling company that uses Ram cab and chassis trucks utilized a device that backs up odometer mileage. Then they attempted to trade these vehicles on new purchases.

This issue was discovered when a traded vehicle needed warranty service and Cummins accessed the engine control module. Utilizing an "engine hours operated" calculation to confirm the odometer mileage shown was incorrect, Cummins restricts the warranty if the hours calculate to be excessive.

In all cases the attempted trade is detailed to look new and the rear frame is painted. The hauling company go from dealer to dealer looking to sell the vehicle for at least the payoff amount.

If taken on trade, these trucks will need to be sold as "miles not accurate" and no service contract is available.

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitles eligible employees of employers with at least 50 employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period for specified family and medical reasons. The employer may elect to use the calendar year, a fixed 12-month leave or fiscal year, or a 12-month period prior to or after the commencement of leave as the 12-month period. FMLA contains provisions on employer coverage; employee eligibility; maintenance of health benefits during leave; job restoration after leave; notice and certification of the need for leave; and protection for employees who request or take FMLA leave.

Short-Term Disability (STD) is offered by private insurance companies to offer partial wage replacement while an employee is out of work due to a policy specific covered medical condition. STD does not provide job protection or maintenance of health benefits.

Because FMLA and STD serve different purposes, it is common for an employer to run FMLA and STD leave concurrently with each other when the reason for the need for FMLA relates to the employee’s own health condition. In fact, doing so is recommended so an employee may not take STD leave after FMLA leave has been exhausted. If the employee’s health condition is a FMLA-qualifying “serious health condition”, it will likely also be covered by STD.

When an employee’s need for FMLA leave relates to anything other than the employee’s own medical condition, STD will rarely be an option because that need will not be a covered benefit under the STD policy.

Recently spotlighted in the Chicago Tribune and Elgin Courier News, Brilliance Subaru hosted a reunion event for more than 75 Beagle owners a year after the dogs were rescued from a Virginia testing facility.

Anderson Humane took in 177 of the 4,000 dogs found at Envigo, a breeding and research facility in Cumberland, Virginia, which was shut down after the U.S. Department of Agriculture discovered myriad federal violations that resulted in the animals dying or being ill, injured or malnourished.

The beagles were brought to South Elgin with assistance from Brilliance Subaru, Anderson CEO and president David Daubert said. Some of the animals were collected by Anderson staff using two shelter vans while Brilliance Subaru owner Kevin Keefe and dealership general manager Jim DaLuga drove an auto parts truck to get the rest.

“This is overwhelming,” said Kevin Keefe, owner of Brilliance Subaru, which helped organize the gathering at his Elgin car dealership.

Read the full story here.

James W. Reilly, who owned Family Oldsmobile-Pontiac-Isuzu of the North Aurora Auto Mall passed away Aug. 25, 2023. Mr. Reilly was a Vietnam Veteran and at the conclusion of his service he returned home to Chicago and began his career in the automotive business. He started at Haggerty Oldsmobile on the north side and later joined Fanning Cadillac-Buick-Serling where he had a distinguished career and became that company’s president.

In 1991, Mr. Reilly purchased the Oldsmobile dealership in Berwyn, Ill., named it Family Oldsmobile and continued to represent General Motors from Berwyn, Aurora, and North Aurora until 2007. At the urging of General Motors, Mr. Reilly oversaw the construction of a new vehicle facility in the North Aurora Auto Mall. After the demise of Oldsmobile, The Family dealership added Pontiac and Isuzu. Mr. Reilly was President of the Chicagoland Oldsmobile Dealers Association and was President of the Berwyn Development Corporation.

Mr. Reilly is survived by his wife Diane, his sons, Curt (Sherrie), Scott (Kerstin), and his beloved grandchildren.

Offering a deeper look into your CATA membership, we’re proud to introduce UP TO SPEED, a new quarterly publication that will keep members abreast of the latest association activities and provide members  an in-depth look into key industry trends and best practices.

Along with the printed edition that was mailed to each member, a digital version will be distributed as well. This online version allows you to share articles among co-workers and to your favorite social media platforms. At the top and bottom of each online article, we have placed Social Share buttons for your convenience.

Click Here to Read the First Edition of CATA Up to Speed!