Everyone has been busy recently, and as we welcome the warmer days of spring and watch the COVID vaccine begin to make a much-needed change, I can’t help but feel positive about the future.

It’s hard to imagine that a little over a year ago, COVID-19 drastically changed our lives and forced us to redesign and rethink our priorities. We’ve learned a lot about ourselves, our families, the people we work with, and the health and direction of our nation. But during these difficult times, I watched how dealers — here and nationally — rose to the occasion and continued to persevere and adapt to an ever-changing business landscape with shifting customer demands.

Although sales slowed initially, many of you saw your most profitable months in years. An essential need to innovate remains, and we must keep pushing forward to improve our processes and facilitate the customer buying experience, both online and in person. We will see more “disruptors” emerge with new ways of doing things. Even so, I’m confident that car dealers have learned and grown much over the last year and will continue to be the cutting-edge ambassadors of technology.

Over the last several weeks, we have seen many news releases from OEMs about their respective EV timelines. So, what does the emergence of this new technology mean to dealers? I think the same thing it means every year to dealers. Dealership staff gets trained and learns how to explain and demonstrate this new technology to the general public. In other words, this is what dealerships do: introduce new technology in an informative, professional way, just as all of you have been doing for years.

Now, I realize I’m downplaying to some degree what the EV direction means as a whole. However, some people say that dealers somehow are not capable of embracing this “new” technology. According to them, dealers are married to the internal combustion engine, and because of that, this new and advanced technology should be sold directly by those who know it best.

That is a complete falsehood. The fact is, the car dealer is the ambassador of new technology and introduces new and advanced technology every year. Whether it is new Bluetooth technology, Apple CarPlay, apps that integrate with vehicles, or specific driving and safety technology, dealers have introduced the latest offerings for generations.

The statement has also been made that dealers don’t want to sell EVs, as demonstrated by the low EV sales numbers compared to overall sales. To that, I have some questions: What EV cars are manufacturers offering the public so far? How available is a charging infrastructure to consumers? What has the range been?

To those who question dealers’ abilities and motivations, the better question is, how soon will these vehicles become available? When will charging stations be widely available? The dealers I speak to are always excited about selling the latest offerings, and they relish being able to introduce something unique and different to their customers. EVs are no different.

Over the last year, we have seen dealers across the country adapt to unimaginable circumstances while operating during a global pandemic. Not only have they survived, but they have also thrived! They have adapted, and they have also created; new processes and procedures, new ways to sell and service customers, and new ways to leverage technology.

So, to the “interrupters” who argue that the franchise system is archaic and not the best way to move this new technology, I say there is no evidence to support that. If you want to sell vehicles, look no further than local dealerships, which stand ready to sell and provide service to their customers in ways only they can.

In addition to the excitement about EVs, we’ve seen the close of another active, successful legislative session. It ended March 5, 2021. We met with legislators in person and via Zoom, and there were also countless calls and emails. Thank you to everyone who reached out to their local representatives — we couldn’t have done it without you. We often asked for phone calls and emails from you this last session, and every time, you answered that request loudly and boldly. Your voices were heard; your voices helped make a difference!

Two other bills would have affected the entire business community. Efforts to raise the state’s minimum wage came to nothing, as did efforts to ratify the Equal Rights Amendments. These bills are likely to return. Whether you are for or against them, be sure to get involved through NCDU and let us know what direction you want to take.

Engaging with NCDU is something everyone will benefit from. This industry succeeds because of the collective success of the dealers and their voices, vision and wisdom.

To conclude, I am always available for our dealers. I am here as a resource and look forward to working with and serving the needs of NCDU for many years.

Thank you!