McLEAN, Va. (Aug. 23, 2013) - A senior team from NADA, responding to an invitation from General Motors Company, met with the automaker's full 14-member board of directors and management staff in Detroit on Aug. 19.

The meeting marked the first time that NADA was invited to address the board of directors of an auto manufacturer. NADA was represented by David Westcott, chairman; Peter Welch, president; and Mark Scarpelli, director/GM line representative.

Welch explained NADA's purpose and role as the voice of the dealer and urged that the industry should work more closely together in the future.

Westcott, a Buick-GMC dealer in Burlington, N.C., briefed the board on several pressing industry and dealer issues, which included recent actions by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the impact of greenhouse gas and fuel economy rules on vehicle affordability, intellectual property and data security, facility improvement programs and stair-step incentives.  

"GM's board was very receptive to hear our issues," Westcott said. "It was a great opportunity to meet with GM and further our relationship to work together on common goals."

Scarpelli shared some of his experiences as a Chevrolet dealer and delivered a recap of NADA's most recent GM Dealer Attitude Survey. Following the presentations, NADA's representatives fielded questions from several board members.