Pub. 1 2018-2019 |Issue 3

4 I’m Bullish... Craig Bickmore Executive Director I’m Bullish on the Industry, and Our Dealers! W e’re fresh off the Utah International Auto Expo - which was very successful, and we’re continuing the process of settling in to our new build- ing - which, by the way, is amazing. If you haven’t been by, I would encourage you to take some time out of your day, and take a look. The U.S. auto industry booked solid sales gains last year, for the fourth year in a row. Business is good. But, if you listen to the “auto” chatter, change is here. There are many questions, and quite frankly, we don’t have all the answers yet. How will business processes change? How will software and technology affect things? Will customers switch to electric vehicles? Will they continue the push into crossovers and conventional sport utility vehicles? Will autonomous vehicles take over? Will millennials start buying cars? How will I fill all the employee positions I need in the coming months and years? I think we can safely say that no industry is facing the amount of disruptors that the auto industry currently is. But, I am bullish on this industry and our dealers. I believe that this industry will be via- ble for decades and decades to come. Why? This is a people industry. People sell cars and people buy cars. It’s the experience of the transaction that makes for return customers. Regardless of whether our dealers are selling electric cars, hybrids or tradition- al models, customers will go where they feel comfortable and their business is valued. And that is where the dealership model - and our dealers - excel. And I personally think that there is not a better time to be in this industry. 3 Regardless of whether our dealers are selling electric cars, hybrids or traditional models, customers will go where they feel comfortable and their business is valued. And that is where the dealership model - and our dealers - excel.