Pub. 4 2024 Issue 2

Interested in the latest compensation, retention and benefits trends in the industry?

As you may know, the FTC CARS Rule, also known as the Vehicle Shopping Rule (“Rule”), is set to impose stringent requirements on motor vehicle dealers. With its focus on advertising practices, consumer disclosures and recordkeeping, compliance will demand significant changes in how dealerships operate.

Manufacturers supplying warranty parts at zero cost or on an “exchange” basis is a practice that has been around for a long time.

As a part of our ongoing series, we highlight exceptional women in the industry. There is a misconception that the auto industry is only for men, and it is time to break this stereotype.

Cody Kohlwes, general manager for Campbell Kia of Missoula, graduated from the NADA Academy on June 21, 2024, as part of Class N433. The NADA Academy program prepares current and future dealership leaders to operate a successful and profitable automotive business while examining the latest in industry trends and technology. Sessions are taught over six months by industry experts, with hands-on practical application in each area of the dealership.

Auto dealers wear many hats — leaders, entrepreneurs, salesmen, buyers, community leaders, mentors and more. Of equal importance is the influential role that dealers can play as an industry advocate.

On Aug. 17, at the Montana Auto Dealers Association (MTADA) annual meeting, Gary Schoepp was awarded with the prestigious Eagle Award. Taken aback when photos of him and his wife, Karen, began appearing on the screen, Gary gradually realized what was happening. “It was a complete surprise,” said Gary, “It is an awesome honor to receive this kind of award from my fellow auto dealers.”

Join us at our 111th Annual Family Convention at Kwataqnuk Resort & Casino located at Flathead Lake in Polson, Montana!

Jillian has taken on the giant task of planning the yearly convention among her other duties. We recently had the chance to talk to her about the yearly conventions and what it takes to make it happen. The following are excerpts from our conversation.

Smith Law Firm, P.C. was established in 1871 when Massena Bullard was licensed to practice law in Montana Territory. In 1892, J. Miller Smith Sr. joined Bullard, and in 1900 when Massena Bullard retired, he took over the practice under the Smith Law Firm name. Over time, Smith’s three sons, Paul, David and J. Miller Jr., and grandson Chad Smith continued the practice. R. J. “Jim” Sewell Jr. joined Paul and Chad in 1971, and Craig D. Charlton joined the Firm in 2003.

Chad Notbohm grew up in Mohall, North Dakota, a small town near the Canadian border. His father, Chuck, was a band and choir teacher in the local school. After some years of teaching, Chuck realized he couldn’t make much money in the profession. So, in 1984, Chuck approached a couple of friends from church and purchased their Chevrolet store. Chad was 10 at the time and often went to work with his father. Chad would clean the shop and the showroom and work on little things that needed to be done. There were eight employees at the dealership who took the time to teach Chad about parts, service, selling and much more. That is where Chad’s interest in the industry started.

Ryan Tuttle was born in Texas and at the age of 2, his family moved to Missoula, Montana. He enjoyed growing up in Missoula and spent a lot of time at his family’s property on the shores of the nearby Clark Fork River.

Shane Morinville just celebrated 20 years of success at Lithia Motors, spending the last nine years at the Missoula location. He also just finished his term as MTADA group dealership director and served on the legislative committee.

Joshua Soares is the executive manager at Billings Auto Group. He recently finished a one-year term as the NextGen board member as well.

We had a chance to sit down with Joshua to talk about his experience on the board and learn more about him. We would like to thank him for his time. The following are excerpts from our conversation.

In January 2025, Craig Tilleman will join the NADA board of directors. Among the many new responsibilities of this position, being the voice for Montana dealers in D.C. is one that Craig is ready to take on. As a second-generation dealer and owner of Tilleman Motor Co., he understands all too well the issues facing dealers today and is prepared to take on this challenge.

Don has been a constant and steady voice in MTADA, NADA and throughout the state of Montana for decades. As he closes the door on this chapter of his life and heads into retirement, we wish him all the best and thank him for his years of service.

The FTC’s Vehicle Shopping Rule (VSR) would overwhelm car buyers and small business dealers with needless additional costs, paperwork and a lengthened sales process. The FTC finalized this rule despite significant process flaws and a lack of credible data-driven analysis. NADA supports FY25 appropriations language that would temporarily stop the FTC from spending funds to enforce the VSR (H.R. 8773) and legislation to stop the VSR and require the FTC to follow essential steps to ensure the Rule is the result of an informed process if it chooses to “REDO” the Rule (H.R. 7101/S. 3014).