CATA News

According to a recent iSeeCars study, used electric vehicle prices fell below used gasoline vehicle prices in February and continue to fall faster than prices for traditional and hybrid cars. EV prices dropped below average used gas car prices by $265 in February, widening to $2,657 in May. In June 2023, used EV values were more than $8,000 (25 percent) higher than the average used gas car price; last month they were $2,657 (over 8 percent) lower than the average used gas car price. Over the past year average used gas car values have dropped between 3 and 7 percent year-over-year, while used EV values have dropped between 30 and 39 percent. Used electric vehicle prices fell below average gas car prices in February and EVs have continued to lose value faster than the average used gas car, according to the latest study.

The study analyzed over 2.2 million 1- to 5-year-old used cars sold in May 2023 and 2024 and found that the average used EV price is down 29.5 percent year-over-year versus 6.1 percent for the average used gas car price. In May 2024, the average used electric vehicle was priced at $28,767, or 8.3 percent below the average gas car at $31,424. These prices show a major turnaround from a year ago, when the average used EV cost $40,783 and the average used gas car cost $33,469.

“There’s no denying the crash in used electric vehicle values over the past year,” said Karl Brauer, executive analyst at iSeeCars. “We’ve watched EVs prices fall between 30 and 40 percent since June of last year, while the average gas car’s price has dropped by just 3 to 7 percent in that same timeframe.”

For more information, read the study HERE.

The Illinois Personal Information Protection Act, 815 ILCS 530/1 provides that any data collector that owns or licenses personal information concerning an Illinois resident shall notify the resident at no charge if there has been a breach of the security of the system data following discovery or notification of the breach. The disclosure notification shall be made in the most expedient time possible and without unreasonable delay, consistent with any measures necessary to determine the scope of the breach and restore the reasonable integrity, security, and confidentiality of the data system. Furthermore the act provides that any data collector that maintains or stores, but does not own or license, computerized data that includes personal information that the data collector does not own or license shall notify the owner or licensee of the information of any breach of the security of the data immediately following discovery, if the personal information was, or is reasonably believed to have been, acquired by an unauthorized person.

If the data collector demonstrates that the cost of providing notice would exceed $250,000 or that the affected class of subject persons to be notified exceeds 500,000, or the data collector does not have sufficient contact information, substitute notice (as defined in the Act) may be provided.

“Personal information” is defined as a person’s name plus one of the following: social security number; driver’s license number or state identification card number; account number or credit or debit card number; medical information; health insurance information; or unique biometric data. “Personal information” also includes a user name or email address in combination with a password or security question and answer that would permit access to an online account.

For more information, visit the Illinois Attorney General Data Breech Webpage: https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/Consumer-Protection/For-Businesses/Data-Breach/.

Wickstrom joins incumbents Crane, Marks and Roberts on the CATA board.

Jared Wickstrom (Dick Wickstrom Chevrolet, Roselle) has been elected to the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) board of directors. Incumbents John Crane (Glenview Luxury Imports; Hawk Auto Group [Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Jeep, Mazda, Ram, Subaru, Volkswagen]), Fred Marks (Classic Kia; Classic Toyota, Waukegan), and Jason Roberts (Advantage Acura of Naperville; Advantage Chevrolet of Bolingbrook; Advantage Chevrolet of Bridgeview; Advantage Chevrolet of Hodgkins; Advantage Toyota of River Oaks) return for another three-year term.

Wickstrom, a native of Lisle, Illinois, succeeds his father Casey and cousins Colin and Richard on the CATA board of directors. He is also currently a member of the Chicagoland Chevrolet Dealers LMA board.

“I would like to thank my peers for having the trust and confidence in me to elect me to the CATA board of directors,” said Wickstrom. “It is truly an honor, and I am thrilled to join such a passionate group of people to advocate for our collective interests, promote integrity, and help navigate the challenges that will continue to come our way. I look forward to serving.”

The CATA also elected a new executive board: Jason Roberts is the 2024-25 CATA chairman; Ryan Kelly (Kelly Nissan, Oak Lawn) is vice chairman; and Steve Phillipos (Chevrolet of Homewood; Ford of Homewood) is treasurer/secretary. Former CATA Chairwoman Kelly Webb Roberts (Genesis of Highland [Indiana]; Webb Chevrolet, Oak Lawn; Webb Chevrolet of Plainfield; Webb Hyundai, Highland [Indiana]; and Webb Hyundai, Merrillville [Indiana]) becomes 2025 Chicago Auto Show chairwoman.

“On behalf of our association and its members we are excited to welcome Jared Wickstrom to the CATA board,” said Jennifer Morand, president of the CATA. “Jared comes to us with a long and rich history in the industry that will certainly prove beneficial for working on behalf of all Chicagoland dealers.”

“I also congratulate John, Fred and Jason on their reelection to the CATA board,” said Morand. “We’re delighted they will continue to serve our board, each bringing immense value to the future of the association.”

Election results were announced June 11 at the association’s annual meeting and golf outing at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Lemont. Directors can serve up to three terms. Voting was open to all CATA dealer members whose association membership is in good standing.

In addition to the four directors elected this month and the executive committee, the CATA board includes Emir Abinion, Jerry Haggerty, Dan Heller, Dan Marquardt and JC Phelan.

It is with a heavy heart that we share former CATA employee and Drive Chicago Radio Host Paul Brian passed away in his home last week.

Paul Brian served as Director of Communications for the Chicago Automobile Trade Association and Chicago Auto Show from 1994 to 2012 and hosted the "Drive Chicago" radio show on WLS-AM Radio for 20 years. He was an honored juror for the North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards (NACTOY), served as president of the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA), received two Emmy awards, and was inducted into the Legends of Motorsport Guild’s Hall of Fame.

Paul Brian was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, serving as the Director of the Armed Forces Radio and Television network while stationed in the Panama Canal Zone during Viet Nam in the early 1970s. His love and devotion to the Army lived long after his service to our country. He spent decades serving veterans through philanthropic work and served as a founding member of the Allen J. Lynch Medal of Honor Board of Directors.

In lieu of flowers, his family is asking for donations be given to the Allen J. Lynch Medal of Honor Veterans Foundation in his name as it was another of his passions, to help other soldiers who sacrificed so much.

(Allen J. Lynch Medal of Honor Veterans Foundation provides grants to those who are engaged in providing educational programs, PTSD and direct assistance to veterans. Allen J Lynch Medal of Honor Veterans Foundation (501(3) organization) 6615 Grand Ave Ste B PMB 415, Gurnee, IL, 60031.)

Charles Edward Coughlin Murphy, born March 7, 1937, in Chicago to Michael and Marcella Grace Murphy, passed away June 16, 2024, in Hoffman Estates.

Survived by his wife Kathaleen Marie, nee Hane for 66 years; children, Erin, Brian (Alexa), Colleen, Craig (Catheryn) and Kevin (Donna) Murphy; grandchildren, Brianna, Donielle, Matthew (Brynn), Conner (Gianna), Rebecca, Kathaleen (Joey), Cameron (Kellie), Michael and Emily; twenty one nieces and nephews; and siblings, Bernadette Stoesser, Michael (Sandra) Murphy, Robert (Virginia) Murphy and Patrick (Rita) Murphy. He was preceded in death by his grandson Christopher.

Ed graduated from Steinmetz High School in 1954 and launched himself into the automobile industry as a bookkeeper for Elmwood Ford. He convinced the office manager to let him sell on the floor in the afternoon if he finished his work in the bookkeeping department by noon. Fairly soon he was top salesman. He moved on from there to Brigance Chevrolet and then was awarded a Buick franchise at the age of 28. The youngest franchisee in the country. Ed opened Ed Murphy Buick on two lane Golf Road Schaumburg in September 1971 and shortly thereafter founded the Chicago Metropolitan Dealers Association to combine advertising clout amongst Buick dealers. Ed was a Buick dealer for 53 years where he also sold Opel, Suzuki and Volkswagen at 1000 East Golf Road. Ed and Kathaleen traveled annually to the National Automobile Dealers Association conventions. He was a 52-year member of Inverness Golf Club and a past president.

Family was everything to Ed and education was the cornerstone of his ambitions for his family. His knowledge was garnered by developing a cadre of mentors in business and finance. But he was determined to send his progeny to get the best education. Since education was so important, Ed also shared his success in the form of many donations and scholarships to schools and churches.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ed’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

[From CATA Legislative Consultant] The Illinois General Assembly will reconvene for the Fall Veto Session on November 12-14 and November 19-21. This is the first time in recent memory that the Legislature will hold veto session over two consecutive weeks. Traditionally, in election years, veto session is conducted the week before Thanksgiving week and the week after Thanksgiving – thus giving members a week off during the two-week session.

The Governor signed the following bills into law.

Overlooked but lucrative, high-mileage vehicles represent a key customer segment deserving attention. Through comprehensive analysis of over 27 million Repair Orders (ROs), we unveil the significant upsell opportunities associated with cars over 60K miles. By understanding the correlation between vehicle age and RO costs, our findings underscore the importance of addressing one-line ROs, which could leave substantial revenue on the table.

Download the Data!

Our solution? Maximizing service drive talent and implementing a mileage-aware routing process, ensuring skilled technicians and advisors handle vehicles based on their specific needs.

Unlock the full revenue potential of your service department with Dynatron Software’s tailored reporting insights and expert service advisor training. Are you ready to tap into Fixed Ops profitability? Get in the know with Dynatron.

In this issue:

• Effective Leaders Understand, Appreciate and Maximize Their Strengths and Minimize Their Weaknesses
• Transitioning to the Management Team
• Mental Health in the Workplace

Download the May/June SESCO Report

[From NADA] The House Appropriations Committee passed the FY25 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) appropriations bill, which included an NADA-backed provision (Sec. 530) that would stop the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from implementing or enforcing the Vehicle Shopping Rule (or “CARS” Rule) until Sept. 30, 2025. 

NADA also successfully advocated against a last-minute poison pill amendment offered by Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Penn.). Under this amendment, the FTC chair could waive cutting off funding for FTC policy riders by merely providing a justification to the Appropriations Committee. While the sponsor insisted the amendment was not intended to impact the Vehicle Shopping Rule, given the FTC’s lack of reasoned rulemaking and track record of evading requirements, NADA strongly opposed the amendment since it would effectively allow the FTC Chair to use nearly any pretext to render Sec. 530 meaningless. This amendment failed by a vote of 24-33.

The Vehicle Shopping Rule is simply terrible for consumers. It will add massive amounts of time, complexity, paperwork and cost to car buying and shopping for tens of millions of Americans every year.

A recently updated Center for Automotive Research (CAR) study, based on the final rule, found that the Vehicle Shopping Rule will increase costs by $24.1 billion over 10 years, which consumers and small business dealers will have to absorb. Overall, the mandates of the rule would add 60-80 minutes to the car buying process and cost consumers $1.3 billion per year in lost time.

The FY25 House FSGG bill is expected to be considered on the House floor late next month.

CATA Dealer Members are provided free Employee Relations and HR support through SESCO. If you have any questions, contact SESCO at 1-800-764-4127; sesco@sescomgt.com or via your Consultant of Record, Ms. Jamie M. Hasty, Vice President, jamie@sescomgt.com or 804-931-6281.