Beltway Talk

New Jersey dealer and AIADA Chairman Mike DeSilva recently visited the Beltway Talk Podcast Studio to discuss some of the legislative challenges facing auto retailers, what drew him to get involved in AIADA, and how international nameplate dealers everywhere can make their voices heard on Capitol Hill.

In this episode of Beltway Talk AIADA Chairman John Connelly takes a look back at AIADA’s Washington, D.C., spring Fly In. Together with host Libby Newman he discusses why he’s bullish on auto retailing in the United States, why he hates seeing customers in his F&I waiting room, and why Capitol Hill feels different these days. John also discusses highlights from the Fly-In including remarks from his fellow Cincinnatian and former Speaker of the House John Boehner and West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin.

AIADA Chairman Steve Gates sits down in our podcast studios to discuss how the year has taken shape and why union-only EV tax credits has dealers getting engaged and fighting back on Capitol Hill. He discusses the impact of such a provision on both individual stores and the industry at large. For his stores: “At a $4500 disadvantage? I don’t think we’d ever sell an EV.”

AIADA board member and Ohio auto dealer John Connelly joins the Beltway Talk podcast to discuss his career as a criminal-lawyer-turned-auto-dealer, the value of advocacy, and why he needs fellow dealers to pay attention to Washington’s latest scheme to single out certain EVs for special tax credit treatment. Connelly highlights why it matters to lawmakers when dealers speak up and what he likes about being a dealer.

AIADA President and CEO Cody Lusk and Autos Drive America President and CEO Jennifer Safavian join Beltway Talk to discuss the latest figures from the 2021 Economic Impact Report: International Automakers and Dealers in America. Lusk and Safavian highlight the role the international auto industry plays in the U.S. economy, explain why trade is crucial for our industry, and discuss how proposed EV tax credits aimed at unionized factories will do more harm than good to the American auto industry.

Steve Shannon, former vice president of marketing at Hyundai Motor America and current advisor for Podium, joins Beltway Talk to discuss the trends and factors he sees in the auto retail space in 2021 and beyond. Listen in to hear his take on digital retailing, communicating with customers, EVs, and more.

In this 50th episode of Beltway Talk, Ashley Burch, AIADA’s Senior Manager of Grassroots & Advocacy, once again dials in to discuss AIADA’s Dealer Visit Program. She emphasizes the importance of bringing lawmakers to dealerships so that they can see firsthand the investment dealers make in their districts, and the brand-new opportunities AIADA has made available to help dealers jump start their advocacy efforts.

Today’s episode features Anna Schneider, Senior Vice President, Industry-Government Relations and head of Public Affairs for Volkswagen Group of America. She discusses Volkswagen’s wild year (and role as a major mask-producer in 2020), what she needs the Biden administration to understand about international auto manufacturers, and what’s coming for VW’s dealers in 2021 and beyond. She emphasizes that retailers are the leading champions of the auto industry and the best advocates for their own businesses.

Jim Appleton, President of the New Jersey Coalition of Auto Retailers, shares some insight into how New Jersey auto dealers have weathered the past year, the many ways in which they have stepped up to serve their communities, and why he believes advocacy is key to their future.

Ashley Burch, AIADA’s Senior Manager of Grassroots & Advocacy, joins today’s episode to talk advocacy, action, and how dealers can make this a summer of impact in Washington, D.C. She shares important information about the exciting advocacy and social media campaign dealers will join this summer in lieu of a traditional 2021 fly-in, and the cutting-edge tools AIADA will make available to them.