New Jersey auto dealers care about their communities. From supporting good causes and fundraising for local charities to engaging with elected officials at a grassroots level — they do it all! Giving back is a way of life for them, and New Jersey is better because of it.
Dealer Philanthropy
Great job, Raceway Nissan Kia, for giving back to your local community by supporting the following charitable organizations:
- Donated $15,000 to the Liv Like A Unicorn Gala
- Donated $10,000 to the Children’s Specialized Hospital
- Sponsored a 5K Heart Walk for the CentraState Newline Healthcare Foundation
Congratulations to RK Chevrolet Kia Subaru — Vineland for raising over $1 million for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign! RK Chevrolet is the fourth group in Making Strides history to reach this momentous milestone, and NJ CAR is proud to recognize New Jersey dealers for all their philanthropic efforts.
Check out the full article on this amazing feat. New Jersey Group Raises Over $1 Million for Breast Cancer Research
Congratulations to Pine Belt Mazda on hosting a successful event where, for every test drive, $50 was donated to Point Pleasant Borough High School as a part of the Be Moved drive program. By the end of the event, Pine Belt Mazda raised $10,000 for the school’s Be On Point program!
Wonderful job, Dayton Toyota, for donating more than $21,000 to the Monmouth Junction First Aid Squad, Inc. (MJFAS) of South Brunswick Township. MJFAS is a volunteer-led nonprofit dedicated to providing emergency care to residents and visitors as a courtesy service to the community.
Shoutout to All American Ford of Paramus for serving New Jersey police in a fun and creative way. All American Ford of Paramus hosted a contest where police departments across the state submitted videos posted on their social media page explaining why they should win their Ford Bronco patrol vehicle giveaway.
Awesome job, Circle BMW, for supporting a local charitable cause in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness during the month of October to help give back to the community you faithfully serve each and every day. Circle BMW pledged to donate $100 for every new BMW sold to the Breast Health Fund at Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, New Jersey. A check in the amount of $12,400 was presented by Thomas J. DeFelice, III to Nicole Picaro, MBA (left) and Sheri A. Marino, MA, CCC-SLP (right).
Great job, Circle Subaru, for supporting your local community by sponsoring a free breakfast for fans attending the Monmouth University football game, bringing everyone together before the kickoff. The Circle Subaru team engaged with others, reinforcing the dealership’s commitment to getting involved in the community beyond the showroom.
Legislative Activity
NJ CAR President Laura Perrotta joined Dr. Mark Hoffman (Fulton Bank), Alain Xiong-Calmes (Airbnb), and George Goldhoff (Hard Rock Hotel & Casino) on a panel moderated by Christopher Merrick (Flaster Greenberg) at the Southern New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Economic Outlook event. She spoke about the $45.4 billion auto retail industry that employs nearly 39,000 people in New Jersey.
NJ CAR just wrapped up a three-day Roadshow to educate its dealer members about the benefits (for both consumers AND dealers) contained in the recently passed Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice & Fair Compensation Act, which goes into effect on April 1, 2026. NJ CAR President Laura Perrotta was joined by SVP of Legal & Regulatory Affairs Greyson P. Hannigan, Esq.; SVP of Government Affairs Magdalena Padilla, Esq.; Jordan Jankowski from Armatus; as well as Lou Young and Frank O’Brien from Withum.
NJ CAR President Laura Perrotta and NextGen Committee President Thomas
J. DeFelice, III hosted Kevin P. Hagan (PPAG) and Christian Callegari (McCarter & English, LLP) to discuss New Jersey’s 2025 election results and what it might mean for Garden State consumers and businesses. NJ CAR would like to thank Kevin, Christian, and all of the participating NextGen members for participating in this NextGen Election Recap Virtual Meeting.
NJ CAR President Laura Perrotta has been selected to be a part of Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill’s Interdisciplinary Advisory Task Force (IATF), bringing together voices representing labor, business, veterans, the environment, healthcare, education, and more. The IATF provides input for the new administration on a variety of statewide policy issues important to businesses and consumers.
Laura will ensure the new administration is made aware of the impact potential policies would have on the auto retail community AND
New Jersey consumers.
NJ CAR President Laura Perrotta participated in the Sherrill-Caldwell Transition Team Policy Summit, where she had the opportunity to share some of New Jersey auto dealers’ priorities with the new administration.
Laura and the other attendees also had the opportunity to hear from Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill, and Laura was able to speak with both Lieutenant Governor-Elect Dale G. Caldwell, MBA, Ed.D., and Chief of Staff Designee Alex Ball.
NJ CAR Engagement
Congratulations to Rossi Chevrolet GMC, Nielsen Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of East Hanover, Liberty Subaru, and all participating NJ CAR members for their strong dedication to employee safety and their year-over-year success in earning well-deserved annual dividend returns through the NJ CAR Workers’ Compensation Program.
NJ CAR President Laura Perrotta attended The Valerie Fund’s 2025 Thanksgiving Ball Gala in Cedar Grove, New Jersey.
Accompanied by NJ CAR leaders and staff, it was an amazing opportunity to see the efforts of a wonderful organization that cares for and supports children dealing with cancer and blood disorders at medical centers close to home.
Although the stories shared were heartbreaking, there were also uplifting stories told by brave kids with giant hearts.
NJ CAR President Laura Perrotta met with Thomas J. DeFelice, Jr.; Thomas J. DeFelice, III; and Laura Fluor at Circle BMW in Eatontown and their amazing team. On behalf of the Coalition, we are proud to have Tom DeFelice III as our NJ CAR NextGen Chairman. We are planning great things for 2026!
NJ CAR President Laura Perrotta visited the NJ CAR Technician Advancement Program (TAP) class at Toyota of Route 22 to meet the wonderful group of students who are excited to become automotive technicians. She was very pleased to see three women enrolled in the class and looks forward to the great work they will accomplish.
NJ CAR President Laura Perrotta recently visited with Judy Schumacher-Tilton and the leadership team at Schumacher Chevrolet, Inc. in Little Falls.
Judy is an active and passionate leader of the Coalition, and we are pleased to have her strong voice with us!
