For Independent Dealers

An unlicensed dealer asks about partnering with a licensed dealer and what fees would be reasonable to pay for using the licensed dealer's plates and license. The respondent warns that this arrangement is illegal in most states and advises against it, cautioning that any violations would become the licensed dealer's legal liability, making it an unwise business arrangement regardless of the fee structure.

The NIADA Board of Directors' slate of nominees was finalized on May 25, 2023, for voting at the June 19 annual meeting in Las Vegas, with the Board responsible for policy oversight and CEO management. Members had until May 19 to petition for nomination if not included in the slate recommended by past presidents, following the association's established bylaws and Leadership Development Committee process.

Major subprime lenders like Regional Acceptance and Atlantic Union Bank are withdrawing financing support from independent used car dealers due to rising defaults and tight credit conditions, creating a potential crisis for the dealer segment that supplies affordable vehicles to lower-income buyers. The discussion explores how this could disrupt the "car conveyor belt" (where new cars depreciate down to independent dealers, then further down to budget-conscious buyers), potentially raising prices and slowing the used car market, while also revealing that alternative platforms like Carvana lack access to new car trades and are losing inventory market share. The key insight is that independent dealers facing financing cuts are essential to the automotive ecosystem—their loss could have cascading effects on new car sales, vehicle depreciation, and affordability for lower-income consumers.

NIADA announced a second drawing for a complimentary Wynn suite during their June 2023 convention in Las Vegas, with registration closing May 15 and the winner announced May 18. Forum responses indicate strong interest in the event, with several independent dealers planning to attend or send representatives, speakers confirmed, and exhibitor feedback suggesting the convention is on track to meet its 1,000 dealer attendance goal. The thread highlights that NIADA Accelerate 2023 is shaping up to be a well-attended and well-organized industry event with notable entertainment and networking opportunities.

A brand-new independent dealer with a background in auto repair (not sales) seeks advice on launching his dealership during a challenging market, sharing concerns about website visibility, SEO, and vehicle pricing. Experienced forum members identify critical issues: his website doesn't look like a dealership site, he's overpricing inventory based on KBB standards that don't reflect actual market demand, and he has an SSL certificate warning that damages credibility. The consensus recommendation is for him to work at an established dealership for a year to gain essential sales experience before continuing independently.

JohnDismukes announces the May issue of Used Car Dealer Magazine is available online, highlighting featured articles including a CEO letter, CFPB guidance on junk fees, service department best practices, and a preview of the upcoming NIADA Convention. The post serves as a straightforward notification to independent dealers about the magazine's publication with no substantive discussion or debate following.

John Dismukes invites Dealer Refresh members to a 20 Group reception at the NIADA Convention in Las Vegas on June 19th from 4-5:30 PM at The Wynn, with early bird registration closing May 15th. Responses indicate moderate interest, with one member acknowledging Vegas fatigue but seeing the event as worthwhile, while another confirms they'll send a representative even if unable to attend personally. The thread serves primarily as an event announcement with limited substantive discussion.

NIADA has launched a new Certified 360 CPO program designed to give independent dealers a competitive warranty offering comparable to franchise dealerships, developed in partnership with respected warranty administrators like AUL, GWC Warranty, ProGuard, and Southwest Dealer Services. The program aims to level the playing field by providing independent dealers with a credible, quality-backed certification that builds customer confidence and differentiates them from non-certified competitors in the used car market.

JohnDismukes announces the availability of the April edition of BHPH Dealer Magazine online, highlighting featured content including an interview with NIADA's new CEO Jeff Martin, analysis on customer payment behavior, a dealer spotlight on Mi Amigos Motors, and an article by Steve Levine on as-is sales regulations. The post serves as a simple notification and resource link for independent dealers interested in industry insights relevant to the buy-here-pay-here (BHPH) business model.

NIADA is offering a 12-hour accounting training course in Irving, Texas on April 25-26, led by experienced trainer Ben Goodman, covering accounting principles and cash receipt controls for independent dealerships. The course costs $1,195 for NIADA/20 Group members ($1,076 with group rate) and $1,495 for non-members. The thread appears to be primarily an announcement of this training opportunity with details about the instructor's background in BHPH and subprime markets.

Buckeye Dealership Consulting has been named a National Corporate Partner by NIADA, the trade association for independent auto dealers. Both parties emphasized their shared commitment to supporting independent dealers and enhancing their market value through collaborative partnership. The announcement was welcomed by NIADA's new CEO Jeff Martin and Board of Directors as part of their National Corporate Partner Program.

Sugar Ray Leonard, the legendary boxer and five-time weight class champion, will deliver the keynote address at NIADA Accelerate 2023 on June 2 at 4:30 p.m., sponsored by CARFAX. The post highlights Leonard's diverse accomplishments beyond boxing, including his work as a best-selling author, television personality, and philanthropist. The original poster expresses enthusiasm about Leonard sharing his success strategies with independent auto dealers at the convention.

Independent dealers are promoting the 2023 NIADA Convention in Las Vegas, with praise for the event's branding and logo design. John Dismukes announced he'll be hosting a 20 Group reception at the convention and invited attendees to visit him there. The thread reflects general enthusiasm for the upcoming event but contains no substantive discussion beyond promotional interest.

NIADA is relaunching its Certified Master Dealer® Program, a prestigious certification that has been dormant since 2019 but originally dates back to 1990. The revamped program, designed specifically for independent dealers and covering management, merchandising, finance, HR, and business planning, will resume in June 2023 with updated curriculum while maintaining its rigorous in-person training and exam format. The thread announces this initiative to re-establish the credential for independent dealers seeking professional development and industry recognition.

John Dismukes, NIADA's 20 Group Sales Manager, introduced himself to the DealerRefresh community and offered his expertise to independent dealers interested in NIADA events and peer groups. A key inquiry from dealer Clint Tallcool1 revealed demand for small-volume dealer groups focused on business collaboration rather than social events, which Dismukes confirmed NIADA is actively developing. The thread establishes Dismukes as an accessible resource for independent dealers seeking group networking opportunities, backed by his operational experience running BDCs and dealer operations.

NIADA announced that CEO Bob Voltmann has resigned and named CFO Melanie Wilson as interim CEO, making her the first woman to lead the organization. A forum member expressed surprise at Voltmann's departure, noting the controversial circumstances of his original appointment when some dealers had advocated for Shaun Petersen instead. The thread clarifies that Jeff Martin, Executive Director of the Texas IADA, will take over as permanent CEO in the coming weeks.

Todd Caputo solicits recommendations for top-performing independent used car dealers in the USA, and respondents nominate specific dealers they've observed excelling in their markets, including Carbiz (Baltimore), Sun Auto Group, EchoPark, DriversSelect (Texas), HGreg, Off Lease Only, and Florida Fine Cars. A key insight emerges when joe.pistell analyzes EchoPark's disruptive business model—selling cars at cost while profiting through in-house financing—demonstrating that competitive pricing alone doesn't drive sales success compared to EchoPark's superior inventory positioning. The thread highlights that "best" is subjective and depends on whether dealers are measuring volume, customer ratings, gross profit, or other metrics.

A 44-year-old with deep classic car restoration expertise and brokering experience recently acquired a collector car dealership permit and warehouse, stocking it with his personal 1920s-1970s inventory, but is struggling with the business and sales side despite early success with sub-$10k estate sale purchases. He's seeking mentorship and advice on classic car dealership models, acknowledging that while he has product knowledge and restoration credentials, he lacks traditional sales skills and an established network of buyers.

A Canadian dealer asks about the process for purchasing and exporting vehicles from U.S. dealers, specifically seeking clarification on whether sellers should provide MSO (Motor Vehicle Registration/Ownership documents) or titles, and noting confusion around U.S. Customs requirements that apparently mandate original titles for export. The question suggests uncertainty about proper documentation procedures for cross-border vehicle transactions.

A new independent motorcycle dealer in the Pacific Northwest seeks advice on two primary operational challenges: sourcing clean-title inventory beyond OfferUp and Craigslist (questioning whether Manheim and auction sites are viable), and optimizing advertising channels beyond their current use of Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and OfferUp. The dealer notes that Copart inventory has proven difficult to resell, suggesting branded titles may not be a sustainable sourcing strategy for their business model.

An independent dealer in California asks how to legally obtain personal vehicles while minimizing taxes, and receives advice from experienced dealers recommending two approaches: either purchase the vehicle from inventory at true cost (paying normal sales tax), or use a dealer plate while depreciating the vehicle against business income. The consensus warns against artificially undervaluing personal purchases to the IRS, which would constitute tax fraud.

An independent dealer seeks clarification on Manheim's fee structure, complaining that their rep claims fees vary unpredictably with no set formula. Responses confirm that Manheim fees are indeed opaque and variable—often including surcharges, charitable add-ons, and other unexpected charges—making it difficult to accurately calculate buy/sell prices, though most dealers estimate around $500 and factor in the uncertainty. The consensus is that while this lack of transparency is frustrating and arguably shady, dealers accept it as standard practice, though some suggest exploring more transparent digital-only auction alternatives like Carsker or ACV.