CATA News

Junior Achievement (JA) is a non-profit dedicated to helping students Kindergarten through college be better prepared for their futures by helping them achieve success in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Through hands-on engagement with business and community volunteers, JA brings real-world experiences into the classroom and introduces students into what they can expect culturally and functionally in the workplace.  

JA is currently looking for volunteers in the automotive field for our its Career Speaker Series. In JA Career Speakers Series, a volunteer guest speaker visits the classroom and shares information about his or her career, work, and education experience. The speaker may bring props, samples of his or her work, or other visuals to help engage students. Activities and implementation design will vary based on grade level. You will have an opportunity to share information about pivot points in your life and how you handled roadblocks you encountered. When asked,100% of teachers responded that the JA curriculum exposes students to new career possibilities, and you can be a part of that introduction.  JA needs your voice at the events below.  If you are able to participate, please contact janderson@jachicago.org and Jennifer Anderson will provide all the details you need to highlight careers in the automotive industry.

• Wed., Oct. 18, 2023 - Clifford Pierce Middle School, Merrillville
• Wed., Nov. 29, 2023 - Yorkville High School      
• Fri., Mar. 22, 2024 - Helen C. Peirce Elementary School, Chicago

Apple Chevrolet was named as one of General Motors Dealers of the Year

The CATA successfully concluded its second annual fall Chicago Drives Electric experiential test drive and educational event last week. In alignment with National Drive Electric week, Chicago Drives Electric aimed to raise awareness of the many benefits of all-electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles and help consumers understand how electric vehicles (EVs) can fit individual needs and lifestyles. Featured brands available for test drives included: Audi, Cadillac, Chrysler, Ford, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.

In addition to putting interested parties behind the wheel of a wide array of the latest EVs, event organizers brought 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 included Cars.com, ComEd, Drive Chicago and Powering Chicago.

Between test drives, attendees enjoyed freshly grilled tailgate food courtesy of Chicago-based grill company, Weber, who demonstrated its Lumin all-electric grill and was powered by two different EVs, a Ford F-150 Lightning and a Kia EV6.

Over the course of the weekend, the event attracted 1,437 total registered drivers and netted more than 5,800 in-vehicle experiences, doubling the attendance from the previous year. The buzz generated from the event carried over to social media; Chicago Drives Electric reached more than 4.6 million, according to initial results from media measurement firm Meltwater.

“We are thrilled to see this event grow and involve more brands for consumers to test drive and experience,” said CATA Chairwoman Kelly Webb Roberts. “It’s clear, based on sold out registrations, that interest in EVs is still prominent among today’s new-car buyers. In fact, nearly 50 percent of Chicago Drives Electric attendees indicated that they are likely to consider purchasing an EV.”

“There’s no other event quite like Chicago Drives Electric where people were able to test drive a wide range of EVs back-to-back, speak directly with product specialists about the vehicles and meet with experts who addressed questions about EV ownership and charging – all in one place,” Webb Roberts continued. 

“We’re planning to bring back the large Chicago Drives Electric indoor test track and EV education hub to the 2024 Chicago Auto Show,” said Chicago Auto Show Co-General Manager Jennifer Morand. “Last year’s test track featured models from five different brands. We look forward to continuing that experience at the 2024 show.”

Martin Lavelle, Senior Business Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is requesting that you fill out a short survey (nine questions) in order to help him and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago better understand current business and economic conditions, especially with the threat of a government shutdown and the ongoing UAW strike.  The information received will be kept anonymous and will be added to other economic intelligence collected by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.  The summary of economic intelligence collected by the Federal Bank of Chicago will be published in the next edition of the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book on October 18th.  The Federal Reserve Beige Book is the Fed’s current update on economic conditions that’s published 2 weeks before each Federal Open Market Committee Meeting (FOMC).  If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact Martin Lavelle at mailto:martin.lavelle@chi.frb.org.

 Thank you for your willingness to participate, it’s greatly appreciated. Click here to take the survey!

With recently enacted federal employee protection regulations, proposed changes to the federal wage payment laws, updates to the I-9 and E-Verify processes, it is vital that individuals, especially human resources professionals understand the impact these regulatory changes will have on your organization.

 SESCO will be conducting a webinar on October 10, 2023, titled 2023 Human Resources Regulatory Update, from 2:00 pm to 3:45 pm EST. The cost will be $60.00 per registrant. Click here to register!

The Governor signed legislation that will clarify the process for remote deliveries of motor vehicles. Public Act 102-392 provides that a dealer may obtain electronic signatures via the internet from a purchaser and deliver a vehicle at a location the purchaser requests in writing, provided that the dealership verifies the customer’s identity at the time of delivery. 

The legislation provides that if a customer signs documents that still require a wet ink signature by law at the time and place of delivery, the sale will be considered to have been completed at the dealership location. P.A. 102-392 also clarifies that the date on which the application for title is signed by the purchaser is the date of sale for a vehicle that is delivered to a purchaser at a location other than the dealer’s established place of business. Finally, P.A. 102-392 authorizes the Secretary of State to adopt administrative rules regulating vehicle deliveries, which is the first step toward permitting e-signatures on title applications and secure power of attorney forms. Public Act 102-392 takes effect January 1, 2024.

Processing Expedited Title Transactions? Wondering if they can be done? Or maybe one was submitted and then turned over to regular processing and you aren't sure why? 

The Illinois SOS (Secretary of State) provides a list of transaction types that cannot be requested for Expedited Processing. If the transaction with title and corresponding paperwork falls into any of the categories listed below, the title cannot be requested for Expedited Processing.

T20 Dealer Titles are now $20. However, this only qualifies when the following requirements are met:

Please note, if there are usable title reassignments but the dealer wants to have the title in the dealership's name (including out-of-state titles), the price is $165.

Ford has issued an “Amended and Restated Consumer Data Agreement” (“Revised Agreement”) to Ford and Lincoln dealers that updates the current Consumer Data Agreement. The Revised Agreement addresses state omnibus privacy laws and adds several important contract terms regarding data security that are required under the revised FTC Safeguards Rule.

Dealers have faced massive uncertainty over the past few years regarding compliance with the requirements of the revised Safeguards Rule. One important question has been the scope of the applicability of the Rule to contracts with OEMs. This is a complicated and fact specific issue, but what is clear is that data security is a dealer focus and that any third party (including a manufacturer) that obtains sensitive customer data from dealers must agree, by contract, to certain data security requirements with respect to that data.

Ford, through its dealer council, worked with NADA to address dealer compliance concerns related to the Safeguards Rule in the existing Ford Consumer Data Agreement. After a number of conversations, Ford agreed to issue the Revised Agreement to specifically address these (and other) concerns. Ford also worked with NADA in addressing a series of FAQs about the Revised Agreement. That document is helpful, and dealers (as well as their legal counsel and IT professionals) should review it and the Revised Agreement carefully.

As noted, the revised Safeguards Rule is not always clear, it is untested in the courts, and the FTC has not issued clear guidance on exactly what contract language is required, so it is exceedingly difficult to fully ensure compliance. However, the Revised Agreement includes provisions that are intended to meet both the data security and monitoring requirements of the Safeguards Rule.

The Revised Agreement may not be perfect, and every dealer must make its own decision about this or any other agreement. However, NADA does believe the added Safeguards provisions and other language in the Revised Agreement are positive for Ford and Ford/Lincoln dealers. NADA would like to express its appreciation to Ford for its efforts in amending this agreement to address this important compliance concern, for its continued willingness to work with NADA on this and other data sharing and compliance efforts, and for taking the additional steps necessary to protect Ford customer data and privacy.

REGISTER NOW!

Join us for an afternoon of insightful discussion with leading industry experts providing insights and advice on setting up your business for success in the ever-changing EV market.

Overview

Join fellow CATA dealers for an EV workshop and informative conversations with industry experts on a range of topics including:

Agenda

*Schedule subject to change

Please feel free to add other personnel from your dealership who should be in the EV know. All CATA members are welcome and encouraged to attend!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!