2020 - The year that made us better |
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Challenges have been abundant this year, but our dealers have proven a resilience and dedication to this association that is unmatched in our history. It is our 100th year and we are so proud of you! While we have been unable to meet in person, our unity has never been greater.
Together we worked to keep you open and selling when other states closed dealerships down. We worked with you through the PPP and our industry is better than ever even as the landscape continues to change at an unprecedented rate. Kudos!
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Arguably Florida has some of the best franchise law provisions of any state in the nation. However Florida, as well as others, are experiencing an attack on these laws. This attack is perpetrated by auto manufacturers who simply have decided that these laws will never be enforced.
FADA has sent demands for corrective action to Jaguar Land Rover, Lincoln, Hyundai/Genesis, GM, Ford, VW and Audi. We have met with the Department of Highway Safety regarding a direct violation of Florida law by Hyundai/Genesis and we are hoping to secure an administrative response that declares their warranty reimbursement rates for goodwill warranties illegal.
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Priority #1 - Enforcing Florida's franchise laws |
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Enforcement of our franchise laws is priority #1 for FADA in the upcoming Legislative Session. With the November elections around the corner we will see a host of new members in the House and Senate. We anticipate a Session dominated by budget issues due to COVID and a host of social issues on many fronts. This will make the plowing tough for any bills of substance, but we are anxious to introduce legislation that will allow for better enforcement of our existing franchise laws.
We want dealers and FADA to be able to bring actions to DMV when OEMs appear to blatantly violate Florida franchise laws and we want DMV to invoke a prompt and proper review and response. We will also revamp dealer licensing laws to contemplate recent changes in the retail auto sector and ensure that the role of dealers with consumers is enhanced and clarified.
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Sunbiz needs protection from predators |
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No one should be able to access Sunbiz and establish themselves as a legitimate agent of a Florida corporation, but we continue to hear that such occurrences are threatening dealers and financial institutions. We will continue to seek a resolution with our lending partners in Florida. Read more and register for Sunbiz account notifications HERE.
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CAR-PAC continues to break records
Your generosity and support for FADA’s legislative goals has never been more appreciated! Your recent contributions to CAR-PAC are enabling us to help elect pro-business newcomers to the Florida House and Senate and help the conservative leadership in both chambers to maintain Florida’s economic growth. We thought you might want to see where your dollars are going. Every dollar contributed goes to candidates and leaders with zero being spent on staff or expenses.
Florida Senate: Jennifer Bradley, Orange Park; Jason Brodeur, Longwood; Ed Hooper, Palm Harbor; Debbie Mayfield, Melbourne; Darryl Rouson, St. Petersburg; Jim Boyd, Bradenton; Joe Gruters, Sarasota; Tina Polsky, Boca Raton; Shevrin Jones, Miami Gardens; Ana Maria Rodriguez, Miami
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Florida House: Alex Andrade, Pensacola; Jayer Williamson, Pace; Jason Shoaf, Perry; Allison Tant, Tallahassee; Cord Byrd, Jacksonville Beach; Clay Yarborough, Jacksonville; Wyman Duggan, Jacksonville; Jason Fischer, Jacksonville; Cyndi Stevenson, Saint Augustine; Sam Garrison, Orange Park; Stan McClain, Ocala; Paul Renner, Palm Coast; Elizabeth Fetterhoff, DeLand; David Smith, Winter Springs; Scott Plakon, Longwood; Bob Cortes, Maitland; Amber Mariano, Port Richey; Sam Killebrew, Winter Haven; Geraldine Thompson, Orlando; Rene Plasencia, Titusville; Kaylee Tuck, Sebring; Melony Bell, Fort Meade; Michael Owen, Riverview; Jackie Toledo, Tampa; Traci Koster, Tampa; Chris Latvala, Clearwater; Ben Diamond, St. Petersburg; Jennifer Webb, St. Petersburg; Will Robinson, Bradenton; James Buchanan, North Port; Michael Grant, Port Charlotte; Spencer Roach, North Fort Myer; Lauren Uhlich Melo, Naples; John Snyder, Hobe Sound; Toby Overdorf, Stuart; Dana Trabulsy, Fort Pierce; David Silvers, West Palm Beach; Mike Caruso, Boca Raton; David Borrero, Doral; Bob Rommel, Naples; Bryan Avila, Hialeah
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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING CAR-PAC
and
FIGHTING FOR FLORIDA'S FRANCHISE SYSTEM!
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Dealer Leaders - $20,000+
Jacksonville Auto Dealers Association
John Lee Nissan
Rick Case Automotive Group
South Motors Automotive Group
Tampa New Auto Dealers Association
President's Club - $5,000+
Arrigo Automotive Group
Bert Smith Automotive Group
Deardoff Automotive Group
Dimmitt Chevrolet
Douglas Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram
Dimmitt Auto Group
Ken Page Auto Group
King Automotive Management
Lehman Auto Group
Mahalak Auto Group
Miller Management Group
Mullinax Auto Group
Nimnicht Family of Dealerships
Phil Smith Automotive Group
Pines Ford Lincoln
Preston Hood Chevrolet
Reeves Import Motorcars
Sheehan Auto Group
Sonic Automotive Group
Stingray Auto Group
Ussery Automotive Group
Ambassador's Club - $1,000+
Arlington Toyota
Bill Currie Auto Group
Bill Nero Auto Group
Bob Steele Chevrolet
Carl's Buick GMC
Cox Automotive
Conley Buick GMC Subaru
Devoe Auto Group
Don Gasgarth’s Charlotte County Ford
Ed Howard Lincoln Mazda
George Moore Chevrolet
Gordon Chevrolet
Hodges Mazda at the Avenues
Jarrett Ford Automotive Group
Jim Browne Automotive Group
Kisselback Ford
Lakeland Automall
Lexus of Wesley Chapel
Maher Chevrolet
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Chairman's Club - $10,000+
Allen Turner Auto Group
Bill Cramer Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC
Bozard Ford Company
Craig Zinn Automotive Group
Crown Management Company
Fields Auto Group
Greenway Ford Auto Group
Gunther Motor Company
Morgan Auto Group
Murgado Automotive Group
Reed Automotive Group
Scott McRae Automotive Group
Tom Bush Family of Dealerships
Warren Henry Auto Group
Speaker's Club - $2,500+
Cannon Automotive
Castriota Chevrolet
Dixie Buick GMC Truck
Ferman Automotive Group
Fitzgerald Auto Mall
Ford of Clermont
Kraft Auto Group
Lakeland Motors Auto Group
Lokey Automotive Group
Lynch Auto Group
O'Steen Auto Group
Rivchin Auto Group
Sam Galloway Auto Group
Scott Fink Auto Group
Stadium Auto Group
Tallahassee Dodge Chrysler Jeep
Ambassador's Club - $1,000+ (continued)
McGrath Volvo Cars of Ft Myers
Nissan of Melbourne
O'Brien Auto Park of Ft. Myers
Orlando Dodge Chrysler Jeep
Palmetto Ford Truck Group
Port Charlotte Honda Volkswagen
Proctor Auto Group
Red Hoagland Motor Group
Regal Automotive Group
Rick Matthews Buick GMC
Rivchin Auto Group
Rivard Buick GMC
Southport Truck Group
Suncoast Chrysler Dodge Jeep
Tom Nehl Trucks
Williamson Cadillac Company
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The above scoreboard includes all donations from 1/1/20 to the date of this publication. |
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HMA/GMA dealers oppose new incentive programs
Florida is a huge market for Hyundai and Genesis Motors and now that the brands have been separated, HMA/GMA have announced incentives that require separate facilities, as well as upgrades to existing facilities that are hard to rationalize. These new programs seem destined to result in brand degradation and reduction in dealer representation while challenging future dealer profitability. The ultimate concern is for consumers who desire convenient sales and servicing locations. FADA supports dealer’s discernment about market sustainability and sales growth. Watch carefully as these programs may be challenged before their implementation.
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DOR sales tax auditing coming
A little birdy advises that dealers may soon be seeing a DOR sales tax auditor at the door! You might want to check out these good observations from a fellow dealer: READ MORE
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Feds issue new COVID-19 guidance
New guidance from the Department of Labor and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is designed to assist employers address important employment issues related to COVID-19. READ MORE
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New FFCRA emergency leave guidance
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued advice for businesses reviewing employee requests for emergency paid sick and/or childcare leave pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). DOL has clarified the extent to which parents of children facing a variety of school opening scenarios-including all in-person attendance, a mix of in-person and remote attendance and all-remote attendance-may be eligible for paid leave. READ MORE
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EEOC pay data update for dealers with 100+ employees
In light of the COVID public health emergency, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has delayed opening the 2019 EEO-1 Component 1 Data Collection to a time when the agency anticipates that filers will have resumed more normal operations. READ MORE
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Payroll tax deferral
On August 8, 2020, President Trump issued a memorandum on deferring payroll tax obligations. Under the terms of the memorandum, withholding, deposit and payment of the employee’s share of the 6.2% social security tax are deferred on wages paid during the period of September 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2020. READ MORE
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Federal Tax Cut Jobs Act
Did you know that the 2017 Federal Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) places a cap of $10,000 on the amount of state and local taxes paid (SALT) that an individual can deduct on their federal taxes? This hurts many dealerships organized as S corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies (“pass-through” entities) that pay taxes on business profits at the individual (owner/partner) level. Negative impacts include:
- Increased federal taxes for dealerships.
- A disadvantage compared to C corporations, which are not subject to the new SALT cap.
- A disadvantage compared to businesses operating in nearby states that have already adopted this reform.
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Collision Centers receiving notices about paint stripping and surface coating regs
Letters have been sent across Florida requesting businesses notify the EPA of their compliance status with NESHAP Rule 6H. This is a 2011 Rule, so it is not new. What is the NESHAP 6H Rule? READ MORE
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Guidelines for Records Retention
Some of you have asked recently about records retention guidelines. CLICK HERE to download an updated schedule for various financial records and minimum periods of time to consider retaining. You should have your CPA or attorney approve your record retention timetable in its final form.
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Congratulations Ramy Reed
Congratulations to Ramy Reed on the 70th Anniversary of his dealership. Ramy is a third generation dealer and it all began with a Nash franchise in 1950. Ramy just termed off of the Nissan National Dealer Board.
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Resources
Click Here to view our Coronavirus Hub page and visit our website regularly for the latest industry news and information.
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Distributed September 22, 2020 |
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