Pub. 14 2015-2016 Issue 4
N E W J E R S E Y C O A L I T I O N O F A U T O M O T I V E R E T A I L E R S I S S U E N O . 1 , 2 0 1 6 6 new jersey auto retailer Chairman’s MESSAGE | BY LAWRENCE W. KULL Member Support of NJ CAR Programs is Critical NJ CAR’s Executive Committee has directed the Staff to develop a dealership-specific report that details the utilization of NJ CAR programs and services, in an effort to increase overall dealer participation. As members know, NJ CAR is the only State- wide organization that represents the interests of every franchised new car and truck retailer in New Jersey. Most members are not aware that dues paid to NJ CAR cover less than 6% of the cost of running the Coalition. To generate the remaining 94% of revenues needed to cover NJ CAR’s operating budget, the Coalition relies on dealer participation in a variety of programs and services that offer special pricing and best-in-class service. The most popular programs and services offered by NJ CAR and used by hundreds of dealers include: • Motor Vehicle Operations (DSP, Online Processing, Title Services); • Energy Program thru Sprague Energy; • Workers’ Compensation Program thru AmTrust North America; • Telecommunications Program with partners Princeton Hosted Solutions, Line Systems and Arena One, LLC; • Life, Disability & Other Voluntary Insurance Products through American Fidelity Assurance Company; • Hole-In-One Insurance Program thru AmTrust North America; • NJ CAR Services, Inc.; • NJ CARAcademy Training and certification programs; and • Lemon Law Surety Bond Program thru Service Insurance Company. The Coalition continually looks for and develops additional pro- grams and services to assist dealers in running their dealerships. Some of the NJ CAR programs listed below were unveiled within the last year—others within the last half-dozen years. Over time, we believe these newer programs and services will become increas- ingly popular with dealers. NJ CAR’s newest programs include: • Fully-Insured Health Benefits Program thru Fotek Business Solutions and Corporate Synergies; • Short-TermDisability Benefits Program thru James Nelligan & Associates, Inc. and Corporate Synergies; • The Employment Network’s Employment Matching Solu- tions thru CareerCo.com; • Document Scanning, Storage & Retrieval thru Autotrieve; • Website Enhancement 360o Walkarounds thru SpinCar; • DiscountedCredit Reports, Red Flags &FCRACompliance thru ProCredit Express; and • Auto Dealer Verification Services (ADVS)- verify Personal Auto Insurance online. Coalition Staff is in the process of producing and distributing a dealership-specific “Participation Report” that lists the NJ CAR programs and services used by each dealer member. The Report also lists the other programs and services offered by the Coalition that are not being used by the dealership. Participation Reports will be mailed over the next several months and will be followed up with a visit from an NJ CAR staff member or one of our busi- ness partners. Member support of NJ CAR programs and services provides the financial resources the Coalition needs to make sure that the dealers’ voice continues to be heard in Trenton and Washington, DC. There are many legislative, regulatory and legal battles on the horizon and it is critical that NJ CAR has the resources needed to allow it to act quickly and decisively to protect the interests of New Jersey’s 510 franchised car and truck retailers. Members are aware of the Coalition’s presence at the State House in Trenton; however, the new battlefront is shifting from the State House to the Court House, as dealers are becoming more frequent targets for frivolous class action lawsuits. These lawsuits offer little (if any) benefit to consumers, but have a potential of a legal fee windfall for the plaintiffs’ bar. The Coalition doesn’t expect dealer members to participate in programs and services just because they are badged with the NJ CAR nameplate. All we ask is the opportunity to provide you with the details of programs and services your dealership doesn’t currently use so that we can attempt to “earn” your business. When an NJ CAR staff member or one of our business partners contacts you to discuss your dealership’s “Participation Report”, I would appreciate you’re scheduling a few minutes to meet with them. It will be well worth your time because when we work to- gether, we are all BETTER BY ASSOCIATION.
Made with FlippingBook
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTM0Njg2