Plan Now to Win the 2009
USA TODAY Dealer Innovation Award
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Have you or a dealer you know successfully implemented initiatives resulting in significant energy savings and a healthier bottom line? Nominate that dealership for the Dealer Innovation Award! Nominations will be accepted at this site beginning in late 2008.
The USA TODAY Dealer Innovation Award recognizes dealers who have implemented effective initiatives to save energy, reduce utility costs and protect the environment. |
Examples of improvements that save energy and/or decrease a dealership's environmental "footprint" include:
- Switching to more energy-efficient lighting, heating or cooling.
- Adding insulation or coatings to buildings, heaters or windows to reduce energy use.
- Increasing exterior plantings to reduce water runoff, provide shade or lower the effects of pollution.
- Installing more eco-friendly building materials.
- Creating, monitoring or using equipment differently to save energy or supplies.
- Recycling or reusing to create less waste.
Four winners will be chosen and will be featured in a full-page ad in USA TODAY and NADA's AutoExec magazine.
One grand winner, selected from among the four, will be honored at a special ceremony held in conjunction with the New York International Auto Show, and will receive roundtrip airfare and hotel accommodations for two in New York City and two VIP auto show passes.
The USA TODAY Dealer Innovation Award
Launched in 2001 in partnership with the National Automobile Dealers Association, the USA TODAY Dealer Innovation Award honors automobile and truck dealers who have used innovative ideas and business practices to better serve their customers, communities and employees.
This Year's Winner
Jim Hand, Hand Motors, Manchester, Vt., saved more than $50,000 from making changes to his existing dealership and became the first carbon-neutral dealership in the state. Using the mantra "Reuse, reduce and recycle," Hand made improvements a team effort. To accomplish this, Hand Motors:
- uses 100 percent waste motor and vegetable oil to heat his new 11,200 s.f. service area, saving more than $15,000 a year on heating oil
- installed energy efficient lighting that saves another $10,000 per year in energy costs
- buys renewable wind energy credits to offset the store's electrical usage
- shuts down all computer terminals at night
- installed motion detectors in vending machines so they only light up as a person approaches
See the videos:
Vermont Dealer Jim Hand Named 2008 Dealer Innovation Award Winner. The dealer was selected from four finalists to win the NADA-USA Today award.
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Pennsylvania Truck Dealer Wins 2007 NADA/USA Today Dealer Innovation Award. USA TODAY and NADA in April 2007 presented the Dealer Innovation Award to Kim Maxwell, general manager of Hill International Trucks, LLC, in Washington, Pa. Maxwell is the first truck dealer to receive the award since it was initiated six years ago. (News release)
Additional Resources
For
energy saving ideas see these NADA resources: