CATA News

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Sept. 15 signed legislation that provides for a $4,000 rebate on electric vehicle purchases starting in July 2022. Pritzker said the rebate would be available to all Illinoisans, not just those in certain counties, as had been discussed during floor debate of the bill.

 

Rebate eligibility could be clarified in follow-up legislation which lawmakers have said will be considered in the fall veto session to clean up portions of the nearly 1,000-page bill. The sweeping energy regulation overhaul aims to phase out carbon emissions from the energy sector by 2045 while diversifying the renewable energy workforce.

 

The electric vehicle portion of Senate Bill 2408 aims to put 1 million electric vehicles on Illinois roads by 2030, also by offering incentives of up to 80% on the cost of charging stations that were built by labor paid at the prevailing wage, based on a number of factors.

 

The new law also provides subsidies to convert coal-fired plants to solar or energy storage facilities at about $47 million annually starting in 2024. That provision, according to state Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Tinley Park, will be a boon to downstate by helping "transition shuttered coal plants into state-of-the-art solar energy sites with world-renowned battery storage," a provision aimed at boosting the reliability of otherwise intermittent resources such as wind and solar.

 

Pritzker’s signature marked a celebratory end to negotiations that began shortly after he took office in 2019.

 

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul on Sept. 13 announced a partnership between public and private entities, including the Chicago Automobile Trade Association, designed to combat the increase in organized retail crime. Such crime and retail fraud can be mistaken for isolated incidents committed by low-level offenders, but organized crime rings often are behind the incidents.

The new Organized Retail Crime Task Force is comprised of career investigators and attorneys from the attorney general’s Criminal Enforcement Division working with the U.S. Secret Service, the Department of Homeland Security, the Illinois State Police, the Barrington Police Department, the West Chicago Police Department, the Cook County Sheriff’s office, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the Illinois Association of State’s Attorneys. 

The task force will consult with the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, the Magnificent Mile Association, the CATA, the Internet Association, and national retailers including CVS, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Target, Walgreens and Walmart.

"Organized retail crime is a multibillion dollar per year industry," Raoul said, "but more important than the financial cost is the danger organized retail crime poses to our communities. These brazen, violent crimes are committed by sophisticated criminal organizations that are involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking and other serious crimes. 

 

"Even during the looting we saw last year, we came to understand that some of these criminal acts were not merely opportunistic, but organized in advance. The task force will allow investigators and prosecutors in my office to better collaborate with our law enforcement partners and ensure cooperation between law enforcement, as well as retailers and online marketplaces, to protect communities, consumers and combat the rise in retail crime."

Before the recent rise in auto thefts and carjackings in Illinois, the crime was decreasing before the pandemic. QuoteWizard looked at statistics from 2010 through 2019 and found auto thefts in Illinois decreased by 21 percent, one of the biggest drops in the country.

The theft of auto parts has skyrocketed in many states during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly when it comes to catalytic converters. According to State Farm claims data, Illinois ranks fifth in the nation for auto parts theft.

Because retail crimes often are coordinated by organized crime outfits, various law enforcement agencies may be investigating the same target in different communities. Without sufficient coordination, both agencies can be led to believe that they are dealing with isolated actors rather than a pattern of organized crime.

 

Cyber insurance policies, also referred to as "cyber risk insurance" or "cyber liability insurance" coverage, are financial products that enable businesses to transfer the costs involved with recovery from a cyber-related security breach or similar events.

Typically, the most important aspect of cyber insurance will be network security coverage. This coverage will respond in the event of a network security failure – such as data breaches, malware, ransomware attacks and business account, and email compromises. However, the policy also will respond to liability claims and ancillary expenses of an attack or breach.

But there is an alarming trend: Businesses, including dealerships, either are seeing massive increases in cyber insurance coverage at renewal or, worse, being denied outright the coverage altogether. Why? The claims are too high, the premiums are too low, and businesses are not doing enough to protect themselves from cyber-attacks and hackers. 

 

Compliance, insurance, and IT experts from ComplyNet, Assured Partners, and Ntiva will host a 30-minute webinar Sept. 21 on the security mandates insurance companies are imposing. Join the webinar if you want to maintain protective cyber coverage. If you wait until renewal, it might be too late. Register today!

 

D’Orazio Ford’s (Wilmington) Allison D’Orazio and Corey Shawn Owens of Castle Buick-GMC (North Riverside) were members of NADA University’s May 2021 graduating class.

 

Berman Nissan of Chicago, Star Nissan (Niles) and Woodfield Nissan (Hoffman Estates) were among 25 dealers named to the 2020 President’s Circle by Nissan Motor Acceptance Co. for top performance. Glendale Nissan (Glendale Heights) was among NMAC’s Partners in Excellence. 

 

Chicago’s Kennedy-King College, one of a handful of schools in the Chicago market with collision repair curricula, will benefit from money raised at a golf fundraiser, 6-9 p.m. Sept. 9 at Topgolf in Schaumburg.

The outing is being coordinated by the Collision Repair Education Foundation, which assists secondary and post-secondary collision repair training programs. CREF is based in Hoffman Estates.

An unlimited buffet and beer, wine and soda await golfers for $150 each. Networking guests cost $75 each. Sponsorships also are available ranging from $500 to $5,000. Contact Brandon Eckenrode, managing director for CREF, at (312) 231-0258 and Brandon.eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

Money raised during the networking event will enable Kennedy-King’s collision program to buy needed tools, equipment and supplies to help prepare students for entry-level industry employment. College staff, Kennedy-King collision students, and other guests are expected to participate.

"Across the country, this industry is facing an issue of an aging workforce and desperate need for entry-level staff. This focused effort to support Kennedy-King College’s collision program will help current and future students in their collision program," Eckenrode said.

 

More U.S. workers now are employed by foreign automakers and suppliers than domestic carmakers, according to fresh data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

 

About 51% of the 999,000 U.S. workers in the motor vehicles and parts manufacturing sector are employed by companies based in other countries, according to BEA data through 2019, the latest available. That’s up from 34% in 2009.

Auto suppliers, the vast majority of which are foreign-based, account for many of those jobs, the Center for Automotive Research noted.

"This is all driven by investment," said Nancy McLernon, president and CEO of the Global Business Alliance. "Global automakers are making big bets on U.S. manufacturing because we have a huge consumer market, a skilled workforce and a strong business climate."

 

Fear of tariffs on imported vehicles and parts under the former Trump administration also contributed to global carmakers' growing U.S. footprint, industry sources told Axios.

By Erin Williamson, HGreg.com

The world of retail has gone through an intense period of change in recent years. Artificial intelligence, Omni channel marketing and improvements — or sometimes retractions — in customer experience are changing the way we experience the markets of today. 

The same is happening in the world of car dealerships.

 

An exploration to help sort through it all finds some of the core characteristics of the successful dealership of today — and tomorrow.

 

1. Haggle-free prices

Buying a car is a big deal. After all, having a ride is attached to so many elements of life in the U.S. When driving away from the dealership, consumers all want that blissful feeling of having purchased the right vehicle at the right price.

 

Dealerships that are stuck in the past in terms of commissions are going to fall behind. Those that nurture a service-centered approach, without the pressures of elevated sticker prices, find themselves growing.

 

Many years ago, we made the decision to back away from sale-price-based commissions. Today, we’re enjoying high customer experience scores and associates who are motivated to find the best possible vehicle for customers’ needs and budget – not a higher price.

 

2. Guarantees and what ifs ...

What if I don’t like my car? What if things don’t pan out as expected? Some car dealerships have a rigorous quality-control process that allows them to stand behind every vehicle they carry. Some even offer a flexible return policy whereby pre-owned car buyers can return their vehicle within a period of time (or miles driven) for a refund if they are not completely satisfied.

The truth is that sometimes things change fast and in unexpected ways. Consumers want to purchase from a dealership that ‘has their back’ through the what-ifs.

 

3. Customer experience

Where does the customer stand in the company’s corporate culture? Dealerships that speak to the customer experience both on their website and in person are worth looking into.

The rationale and reality is simple: Dealerships that prioritize the customer experience and convenience grow and retain staff and get positive reviews.

Some dealerships have introduced virtual showrooms, concierge-like services that include contactless purchasing, online chats and customer support, to name a few, which help eliminate friction and strain from the buying experience. Seeing services like these is a good indication of what you can expect.

 

4. Honesty and trust

Online reviews are important. Dealerships that have recent and relevant reviews have earned the trust of everyday customers. Having reviews is good, but industry-leading dealerships actively monitor those reviews and make them a part of their continuous improvement processes, exploring how they can improve based on customer feedback.

Regularly tracking reviews and customer feedback helps dealerships swiftly spot concerns that need to be addressed as well as opportunities.

 

5. Staying power (longevity)

Experience matters, especially in the automotive and retail industries. When investing in a car, customers benefit when they’re in the hands of a group of persons who have been around for a few years, experienced enough to know the balance between accommodating budgets and needs, and know the vehicle options on the market.

Dealerships that have been in business for a while have a loyal customer base because they understand the role of a vehicle in the lives of their customers. These dealerships also have greater access to cars and a knack for helping customers find that needle in the haystack — that perfect vehicle for one’s particular needs and lifestyle.

Keep these traits in mind the next time you’re looking to upgrade or change your car, and hopefully you’ll find them all.

 

The National Automobile Dealers Association will kick off its 2022 Show in Las Vegas with a blockbuster Welcome Kickoff Reception at the brand new Allegiant Stadium adjacent to the Las Vegas Strip.

 

The Welcome Kickoff Reception on March 10, 2022, will bring together the entire auto industry for a rousing indoor tailgater, with a festive sports theme and a wide array of experiences and activities for Show attendees, exhibitors and industry partners. Reception attendees will have access to the field, various lounges and exclusive areas of the state-of-the art stadium. Attendees also will enjoy gourmet food and top-shelf beverages.

"This is one of the biggest — if not the biggest — event that the NADA has hosted to date," said Scott Dube, a Massachusetts dealer and chairman of the NADA Show Committee. "The grand scale of this event signifies the importance of personal connections in our industry. We are excited to bring back the sense of community that our industry has been lacking since the coronavirus pandemic began, and help bolster relationships between the NADA, its members, automakers and the vendor community."

Headlining the Welcome Kickoff Reception will be a concert by the Grammy and Billboard Award-winning band Train. Since the release of their self-titled debut album, the San Francisco group has had 14 songs on Billboard’s Hot 100 list. Also performing: the Drumbots, the official drum line of the NHL Vegas Golden Knights.

"We see this Welcome Kickoff Reception as a phenomenal way to bring the industry together in person after a long hiatus," said NADA President and CEO Mike Stanton. "The NADA Show has so much to offer everyone who attends, and this year in particular we wanted to combine our outstanding agenda with a landmark event that will create life-long memories for anyone who attends."

NADA Show is returning to an in-person event in Las Vegas March 10-13, 2022. Tickets for the Welcome Kickoff Reception are included as part of NADA Show 2022 registration for NADA dealers, managers and their guests. Nonmember dealers, managers, international affiliates and exhibitors can purchase Welcome Kickoff Reception tickets for $250.

 

Automobile dealers are some of the finest entrepreneurs in America, but their command of car retailing was tested as never before by the pandemic and the sudden rise of e-commerce. Now, add two more trends that are shaking up their industry: the rise of fleet sales and vehicle electrification.

Ohio megadealer Rick Ricart is leaning into those two developments as he aggressively recasts his seven new-car stores and one used-car outlet in Columbus for a different future. He’s a third-generation dealer, but Ricart said he can’t afford to live on his family’s substantial legacy. So he’s rolling up his sleeves to attack those important new areas of potential vulnerability — and immense opportunity.

Electrified vehicles aren’t going to dominate Ohio sales anytime soon, but they’re in the process of doubling in the U.S. every year or so. And while Columbus isn’t California in terms of demand for EVs, it is a college and government town with a consumer appetite for EV models that is going to be ahead of the pack.

"We want to get as far out over our skis as we can, without crashing," Ricart said. "I don’t think it’s a bad investment. As a dealer, we have to be certified [to service] all of our brands, to sell and service all the EVs coming out."

Ricart also needs to "adapt our own facilities to create charging stations and our own infrastructure," including a Level 3 DC fast charger and a "safe warehouse" for batteries and EVs that may be in for recalls. As underscored by the current problems General Motors is experiencing with onboard fires in its Chevrolet Bolt EVs, "we must have the right facility to secure and store these."

Ricart is installing charging stations now for the use of the dealership’s 550 employees, with use of them free for workers and customers. The number of charging stations could total as many as two dozen over the next three years.

"We want to be leaders in our industry rather than say we won’t put charging stations in until it’s a necessity," Ricart said. "Otherwise, from a PR standpoint, we look like we’re environment-killers. ‘This dealership wants to keep burning gas.’ People are going to want to drive their [Ford] GT on the weekends and an electric to work. It’s a balance."

Even more dramatic a change than EV sales, for now, is how quickly fleet sales have risen in importance for Ricart and other U.S. car dealers. It’s one big reason Ford said recently that it’s going to emphasize its fleet business more than ever before. "We’ve gone from private retail transactions to more people driving a vehicle that’s owned by a fleet," Ricart said. "We saw that transition begin two years ago when we sold more F Series trucks through our fleet and commercial division than through our retail showroom."

As for the fleet business, Ricart has created a dedicated division called R2B (Ricart to Business) to service the booming demand. "A lot of companies in our area are looking for a simple way to buy a package of vehicles," he said. "They may be an auto-parts chain making deliveries, a landscaping company, an insurance company that has a fleet." While individual retail customers used to drive the business, Ricart said, now demand is being led by fleet and commercial customers.

"They’ll plan ahead and let us know that they need, say, 20 cars and two big trucks within the next three to six months," Ricart said. "And it’s great when Ford Credit makes it easy for companies to buy fleets," with financial packages that include all regular maintenance and other costs of ownership in a monthly payment.

 

"The service side on fleets is really what’s pulling this along," he said. "Companies want to make their vehicles last until their accountant says it’s time to take it out of the fleet or replace it. But there is such a technician shortage throughout our industry that a lot of times those fleets and companies can’t justify what we pay a technician. So we are doing more maintenance contracts."

 

Premium brands occupy most of the low spots in the customer-survey-based 2021 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study in which the Ram pickup truck ranks No.1 with the fewest reported problems.  

It may seem ironic that many luxury brands lag behind mainstream nameplates, but there are a couple of logical explanations for that, said Dave Sargent, J.D. Power’s vice president-automotive quality.

First, upmarket vehicles contain more new and complex technology. "Customers tend to struggle with it," he said. But that is less of an issue than something not working right. 

Second, mass market automakers "continue to catch up in terms of fundamental build quality," Sargent said during an online briefing on the latest study results.

Only two luxury brands performed above average.

Still, "the industry continues to improve," Sargent said, citing a 3% improvement rate this year in fewer problems reported, "which is not bad" considering the environments of COVID, vehicle shortages and lots of newly introduced technology.

Twenty of 32 brands improved their quality from 2020. Surveyed consumers’ complaints ranged from powertrain issues to squeaks and rattles, but these days the most beefs by far center on infotainment systems.

"It’s the biggest challenge for the industry," Sargent said.

Specifically, Android Auto and Apple Car Play draw the most consumer criticism. It’s not that they don’t work but rather that many consumers reported struggling to connect with them properly. Sargent attributes that in part to more vehicles offering wireless connectivity.

"It’s not necessarily that (Android Auto and Apple Car Play) are not operating correctly." But the connectivity issue is to a point where "some consumers gave up trying to use it," he said. "That’s not good."

Of all problems cited by new-vehicle owners, one in four are in the infotainment category, and six of the top 10 problems across the industry are infotainment-related. Smartphone connection is the top problem.

The Android Auto and Apple Car Play complaints have surpassed voice-recognition technology. For more than a decade, the latter was the No.1 problem in the annual survey. 

 

"With more vehicles being fitted with the wireless technology owners want, the study reveals an increase in connectivity problems between smartphones and vehicles, leaving many owners unhappy," Sargent said.

That’s led to finger-pointing between automakers and technology companies which blame each other for the consumer discontent. "It shows a need for the auto and tech industries to work together better," he said.

 

He added: "Owners want wireless connectivity, and the industry has responded. However, this has created a bigger technical challenge."    

 

Automakers generally face the wrath of owners on this issue, but it’s a shared problem, he said. "Owners don’t care who’s at fault. They just want their phone and their vehicle to talk to each other."

 

Surveyed consumers’ overall complaints can range from something not working correctly to the way a feature is designed. The former is easier to resolve.

 

"Defects and problems can get fixed at the dealership," Sargent said. "If there’s a design problem, there’s nothing the dealer can do. The consumer is stuck with it throughout the ownership of the vehicle."

 

The 2021 U.S. Initial Quality Study, now in its 35th year, is based on responses from 110,827 purchasers and lessees of new 2021 model-year vehicles who were surveyed early in the ownership period. The study is based on a 223-question battery organized into nine vehicle categories (infotainment; features, controls and displays; exterior; driving assistance; interior; powertrain; seats; driving experience; and climate).

 

The study was conducted from February through July 2021.