WASHINGTON, D.C. -

The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association — along with governmental advocacy firm Federal Advocates Inc., of whom NIADA is a client — has two meetings later this week with a few major players in Washington, D.C., to discuss how federal decisions are made and how these moves affect independent dealers.

On Friday, NIADA will have a meeting with the White House. The group is slated to meet with Steve Croley, Special Assistant to the President for Justice and Regulatory Policy in President Obama’s Office of Domestic Policy.

The purpose of this meeting is “to introduce the association to the Administration and to provide a briefing on its views on automobile consumer issues,” according to the NIADA’s latest legislative update.

Also on Friday, Keith Whann, NIADA counsel, Federal Advocates and Holly Petraeus — director of the Office of Service Member Affairs, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — are set to meet.

This meeting is not only serve as an introduction for NIADA, but will also be a means to talk about issues within the auto industry dealing with newly created CFPB.

A meeting has also been requested with the CFPB’s General Counsel, Richard Cordray. That request is still pending. This meeting would delve into consumer auto issues and the Consumer Advisory Board, which will be filled soon.

SBA Floor Planning

Moving along, the report also discussed the suspended floor plan financing program for small dealerships, which was re-launched recently by the federal government. The loan limit in the latest program was upped to $5 million, instead of $2 million.

Moreover, the Federal Register published on the Web the new rules from the Small Business Administration that explained the new financing program.

President Obama’s administration introduced a pilot floor plan program in the spring of 2009 that never really gained traction, something Federal Advocates said was “because of banks’ reluctance to extend credit.”

A new law that pushed the limits higher became effective in September. The next month, thanks to the SBA extending eligibility, most dealers could tap into the program.

“The SBA also suspended the program in October and has been working since with lenders in an attempt to increase their participation. The pilot program will continue through September 2013,” Federal Advocates wrote.

“To address various issues related to the program, a conference call was held with Keith Whann; Steven Smits, Associate Administrator; and Patrick Kelley, Senior Advisor, Office of Capital Access, United States SBA,” the firm shared.

DOD Relationships

Next up, Federal Advocates addressed a change that has taken place at the Department of Defense.

In the Office of Military Community and Family Planning in the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, Pam McClelland — whose title is senior program analyst — replaced Dave Julian and Frank Emery.

“Per a conversation with her on February 15, at her request NIADA will be sending information to her on how the association can assist service members in purchasing pre-owned vehicles,” officials explained. “Pending her review, a meeting and/or conference call will be scheduled with Keith Whann.”

GAO Talks

Finally, Federal Advocates shared more about the GAO request from Rep. Towns. In conducting the review — which basically centers on the car recall procedures — the group plans to talk with more dealers. Federal Advocates indicated that GAO is almost done with the process and is slated to release a report on June 15.

“Pending that, Jim Leonard, analyst, physical infrastructure team, GAO, has discussed with NIADA its views on the issue and the role of pre-owned vehicle dealerships,” the firm stressed, further noting that Mike Linn (NIADA chief executive officer) and Whann had talked in February with Leonard and other GAO analysts about this issue.