New Jersey’s auto dealers are committed to making a difference in their communities, and they’re not doing it alone. Through the efforts of individual dealerships and NJ CAR, New Jersey’s automotive retail industry supports local charities, gives back to communities, and engages with elected officials on critical issues. From grassroots outreach and fundraising to events, programs, and media efforts, NJ CAR and its members are making a positive impact across the Garden State.
Dealership Highlights
As part of Ford Motor Company’s “Ford Building Together Summer of Community Impact” initiative, Fred Beans Automotive Group hosted blood drives at nine of its dealerships to support local American Red Cross blood banks, collecting a total of 282 units in July. Fred Beans’ Ford Mobile Service offered a free oil change or tire rotation to donors at each blood drive site, performing 70 mobile services across all sites.
NJ CAR recognizes Gabrielli Truck Sales for its donation of $150,000 to St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center. The fund will support critical medical research and give back to the local communities they serve every day.
NJ CAR Services President and Larson Ford President Robert Larson recently joined host Jim Fitzpatrick on CBT News Inside Automotive. Rob reflected on the dealership’s 70th anniversary and the store’s adaptive history to challenges within the dealership and across the industry, including technological changes, expanding mobile services, and fostering a staff culture with high retention rates.
NJ CAR congratulates Schumacher Chevrolet, Inc. of Little Falls for being the one New Jersey dealership among 60 dealerships chosen from 3,000 nationwide to receive the 2025 General Motors Dealer of the Year award. The award is given annually to the top 1% of GM dealerships based on sales performance, operational standards, and customer satisfaction. Congratulations to former NJ CAR Chairwoman Judy Schumacher-Tilton and the entire organization for receiving this honor.
NJ CAR dealer member and owner of Sansone Jr.’s Auto Group Paul Sansone, Jr. recently joined CBT News Jim Fitzpatrick on an episode of Executive Profile to reflect on his 40+ years in the auto retail sector. During the interview, Sansone shared his insights on a variety of issues, including AI, compliance, dealership culture, and why the customer experience remains the industry’s greatest competitive advantage.
NJ CAR congratulates the five New Jersey dealerships named one of Automotive News’ 2026 Best Dealerships to Work For:
- DCH Millburn Audi, Maplewood
- BMW of Freehold
- Circle Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Shrewsbury
- DCH Kay Honda, Eatontown
- Hamilton Honda
Congratulations to Fred Beans Ford of Washington’s Chris Gilbert for graduating from Ford’s Rising Leaders program, one of 20 participants across the United States to complete the year-long program. Takeaways from the program will equip Chris and other graduates with tools to lead teams, foster talent, and strengthen the dealer network.
NJ CAR Engagement
NJ CAR was featured in the Summer 2026 issue of Auto Dealer magazine, the official publication of the American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA). In the State Spotlight Q&A, President Laura Perrotta touched on a variety of topics, including:
- Critical issues facing the industry
- Recent accomplishments
- Benefits of membership in associations like NJ CAR and AIADA
NJ CAR President Laura Perrotta and EVP Greyson P. Hannigan, Esq., visited with dealer principal Jake Lebowitz at his Raceway Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Raceway Nissan dealerships. The Raceway stores are impressive and full of great people.
NJ CAR President Laura Perrotta recently spent two fantastic days in Saratoga Springs with NJ CAR NextGen leaders and New York State Automobile Dealers Association (NYSADA) NextGen. They went to the races and discussed NextGen opportunities. Laura expressed appreciation to NextGen Chairman Thomas J. DeFelice, III for his passion for growing and advancing this important group. Special thanks to sponsor ComplyAuto and representative Lauren Bailey for attending the event.
Gov. Sherrill signed NJ CAR-backed bill A4050/S1423, which passed the Senate and Assembly unanimously and went into effect immediately. A special thank you to Gov. Mikie Sherrill, Sen. Anthony Bucco (R-25), Sen. Joe Lagana (D-38), Asm. Antwan McClellan (R-1), and Asm. William Spearman (D-5) for their bipartisan support, leading to the passage of this critical legislation.
NJ CAR President Laura Perrotta joined Jim Fitzpatrick on CBT News to discuss the Association’s ongoing “Local Matters” public relations campaign, focused on promoting the value of the franchise system.
NJ CAR President Laura Perrotta appeared on Real Talk With Fernando Uribe to discuss NJ CAR’s goals, our work with elected officials, the franchise system’s value, and dealer commitment to their local communities.
NJ CAR Events, Programs, and Endorsed Providers
NJ CAR hosted a successful HR & Office Manager Workshop at Forsgate Country Club, with more than 50 attendees representing nearly 120 dealership rooftops. Attendees heard from speakers from ArentFox Schiff, LLP; Fox Rothschild, LLP; Genova Burns LLC ; New Jersey Division of Taxation; Priority Commerce Automotive (NJ CAR Endorsed Provider/EP); and Tyler Technologies, Inc.
We owe a special thank-you to our sponsor, American Fidelity, for helping to make this event successful! Thank you to our vendors who attended and supported the workshop, including ACV Auctions (EP); AutoTrieve Document Scanning Services (EP); Gallagher; Genova Burns, LLC; Priority Commerce Automotive (EP); Sprague Operating Resources LLC (EP); Vitu; Wholesale Auto Supply Co., Inc. (WASCO); and Withum.
For over 15 years, Sprague Operating Resources, LLC has provided an Energy Management Program for NJ CAR dealer members. If you’re a JCPL, Atlantic Electric, or Rockland customer and NOT on our program, now is the time to secure fixed rates and savings. Send your latest electric statement (front and back of all pages for all accounts) so we can determine your potential savings.
Dealers can reduce OSHA-related issues by correcting visible hazards before they cause an injury or attract regulatory action. NJ CAR’s Zero Injury Program (ZIP) can help our dealer members do just that. Learn more about NJ CAR’s ZIP or schedule a safety & loss-control review by contacting Director of Risk Management & Insurance Charles Russo by phone at (609) 403-7583 or via email at crusso@njcar.org.
Chairman & CEO Tom Priore and Managing Partner Amberly Allen of Priority Commerce Automotive, an NJ CAR Endorsed Provider, recently joined CBT News Jim Fitzpatrick on Inside Automotive. They talked about the shifting landscape of payment processing, compliance, and the automotive financial ecosystem.
Priority Commerce Automotive also shared how their compliance assessment can help dealers evaluate their surcharging programs against current federal, state, and brand-level requirements.
NJ CAR is proud to have Endorsed Providers (EPs) who can help our dealer members maintain sustainable excellence throughout their entire store. We’re confident our EPs understand the nuanced challenges dealerships face and can offer tools that bolster daily operations for our dealers.
Read the articles prepared by each of our EPs in the previous issue of New Jersey Auto Retailer.
NJ CAR Endorsed Provider Privacy4Cars helps dealers stay compliant with privacy rules. Learn more about what they offer by visiting their website at privacy4cars.com.
