FADA News and Updates - March 20

DMV announces huge dealer benefit for vehicle titling and registration
DMV has announced that DMV forms for Title Application (HSMV 82040), Odometer Disclosure (HSMV 82993), Motor Vehicle Reassignment Supplement (HSMV 82994) and Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney/Odometer Disclosure (HSMV 82995) can now be submitted with electronic signatures. 

Effective March 19, 2020 these forms may be used to make odometer disclosures submitted by dealers. This is a huge help during this COVID-19 crisis as dealers can now handle all paperwork electronically. 
Every dealership needs to be active with your local officials to prevent mandated closings
Our business is being portrayed by some as irresponsible due to stores remaining open to serve our customers. While Florida’s Governor has stated he has no intention of closing car dealerships due to the essential services we supply, there is mounting pressure coming due to actions by other Governors.

FADA remains committed to assisting you, so that this is your decision, not one which is imposed upon you, such as is happening in other states.
Important governmental proclamations about car dealerships as essential businesses
FADA will continue to work with the Governor’s office as pressure mounts to close all non-essential businesses. We are seeing pressure to close car stores in other states despite an excellent and specific response from Miami-Dade Mayor Gimenez and a generalized, but pro-dealer message from the Department of Homeland Security.

Please use the following two examples as you interact with local government officials concerning any actions they may have taken or are considering.  
DHS guidance includes auto repair as essential critical infrastructure
In response to a joint NADA/Alliance letter sent to President Trump stressing the need to consider auto dealerships essential businesses, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued guidance today that includes automotive repair and maintenance facilities on the list of the nation’s essential critical infrastructure workforce. 

In the cover memo, DHS and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) stress that, “ As state and local communities consider COVID-19 related restrictions, CISA is offering this list to assist prioritizing activities related to continuity of operations and incident response, including the appropriate movement of critical infrastructure workers within and between jurisdictions. ” 

In the body of the guidance, DHS and CISA go on to say, “ This guidance and accompanying list are intended to support State, Local and industry partners in identifying the critical infrastructure sectors and the essential workers needed to maintain the services and functions Americans depend on daily and that need to be able to operate resiliently during the COVID-19 pandemic response. ”
Miami-Dade county Mayor clarifies which businesses can remain open
Hotels, student housing, automobile dealerships, marinas and other services remain open at this time

MIAMI ( March 19, 2020 )  
Tonight, I signed an Addendum to two Executive Orders to clarify that some businesses are exempt from the closures I announced earlier today of all non-essential retail and commercial establishments in response to the growing spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Essential retail and commercial businesses that may  remain open  include:

  • Hotels, motels and other commercial lodging establishments and temporary vacation rentals. However, restaurants, bars and fitness centers in hotels, motels and other lodging establishments remain closed or restricted.

  • Automobile dealerships, as long as those businesses ensure that customers practice social distancing of six feet, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

  • Any residence halls at universities, colleges or technical colleges, if these facilities are needed to accommodate students who cannot return to their homes.

  • Mortuaries, funeral homes and cemeteries.

  • Private and municipal marinas and boat launches, docking, fueling, marine supply and other marina services.

  • Veterinarians and pet boarding facilities.
Miami-Dade County Mayor, continued
The balance of Emergency Order 07-20 remains in full force at this time and will be amended if conditions warrant.

Also, I issued an amendment to Emergency Order 06-20 clarifying that while parks, beaches and recreational facilities are closed, the order does not apply to marinas and boat launches, docking, fueling, marine supply and other marina services. Marinas and boat ramps owned and operated by Miami-Dade County can remain open from 7 a.m. to sunset.

I urge everyone to follow recommendations from the Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce the transmission of this virus.

For the most recent updates, go to  miamidade.gov/coronavirus .
Homeland Security Guidance
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued the following guidance , which identifies key industries that would be allowed to operate should a federal quarantine be declared. 

Auto Repair facilities would be included as part of that group, and your dealership and your parts department would be allowed to function as normal (or somewhat normal) in this trying business environment.
   
While this does not specifically identify that your sales department can remain open, discussions are still ongoing as to whether that will be allowed. We will keep you posted as we learn more. 
Please immediately report to FADA any local attempts to declare dealerships non-essential.

Also visit our website anytime to find an updated list of information and resources.