I can’t believe we are already halfway through the year. So much has happened, and although we have faced numerous challenges, as always, MTADA dealers have worked hard and risen above.
I am excited to share this issue of the magazine with you. As an association, we would like to celebrate some fantastic women in our industry: Ashley Wolfe, Tonya House and Marissa Topp. I hope you enjoy reading more about them. We also highlight Charles Notbohm, who was honored as the TIME Dealer of the Year Nominee at the 2024 NADA Show in Las Vegas. For those of you who missed it, some great photos are included.
As a reminder, MTADA’s 110th Annual Family Convention will be held Aug. 15‑18, 2024, in Helena, Montana, and our opening reception will be held at the Lewis and Clark Brewery. Please join us for an evening of live music, award-winning craft beer and the opportunity to dunk me in a dunk tank. How exciting is that?
We have also reserved a boat for the Gates of the Mountains tour for Sunday morning, Aug. 18, after the convention. For those of you who have not experienced this marvel of nature, it will be a great opportunity to see the real Montana. For a sneak peek of this majestic wonder nestled in the heart of Montana, please visit gatesofthemountains.com.
Register today and get ready to have some exciting family fun by clicking the link below.
https://www.mtada.com/110th-annual-convention
The Montana Overdrive program is up and running. Access all of your branded automotive products and supplies directly through montanaoverdrive.com.
On a more serious note, the deadline for the Vehicle Shopping or CARS Rule and the changes it will bring to dealers is fast approaching. The rule was set to go into effect on July 30, 2024, but a lawsuit brought by NADA and Texas has compelled the court to review the Rule, thus delaying it. The FTC is confident that a stay of the effective date should not postpone your implementation of the Rule by more than a few months, so it is a good idea to get started today.
Our preferred partner, ComplyAuto, has provided a detailed article that covers what you need to know about this rule change. Review the important information they have put together, and if you have any questions, please let me know.
Also, it is important to fulfill our civic duty by voting in this year’s election. With so much unrest nationally and abroad, we need to elect strong leaders that understand business and will prioritize the needs of our industry. I encourage you to ask questions and get to know the candidates, then, go out and vote!
As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need help, have an idea or suggestion or want to say hello. You are a valued member of the MTADA, and I want to hear from you. As always, feel free to call me anytime on my cell at (406) 461-7680.
Sincerely,
Bruce
