West Nova News

Australian Dealers Tour Dallas-Area Dealerships as Part of International Study and NADA Show 2023

Today 70 Australian dealers visited three Dallas-area dealerships as part of the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) Study Tour. The group, which included some of Australia’s largest dealers and the president and CEO of Mitsubishi Australia Shaun Westcott, toured Weatherford, Texas’s Southwest Ford, Southwest Nissan, and Southwest Volkswagen.

Charlie Gilchrist, dealer principal of the three dealerships, led the tour in a review of both sales and service operations. Throughout the visit, the dealership senior management presented and discussed best practices and ideas.

“The auto retail industry varies widely internationally,” said Gilchrist, who served as 2019 NADA chairman and represents Northern Texas's franchised new-car dealers on the NADA board of directors. “Dealers are always eager to learn from each other and our colleagues overseas. By sharing strategies in services and sales, we are all able to perform better and deliver more for our customers.”

The group will also attend the NADA 2023 Show this week, where they will learn the latest strategies and emerging trends on more than 65 topics at 100-plus workshops and education sessions. By tackling the significant issues strategically, the NADA Show offers dealers across the world a range of perspectives from their dealer colleagues and industry allies.

“We place enormous value on our longstanding relationships with the NADA and Dealers from around the world. The exchange of ideas and experiences will put dealers in a strong position to navigate the many challenges the industry is facing,” said AADA CEO James Voortman. “Australian dealers are thirsty for ideas to improve their businesses and there is no better forum for networking and the exchange of ideas than the NADA Show.”

“Auto dealers have always been a cooperative group. We see proof of that every year in the overwhelming turnout for the NADA Show where dealers come to network and learn from each other,” said Mike Stanton, president and CEO of NADA. “We warmly welcome Australian dealers and their association to our Show.  We have enjoyed a good relationship with AADA over the years and we are committed to further strengthening it.  Our business is global and we must continue to learn from each other to best serve our dealers.”

Original source can be found here