ARLINGTON, Texas -

Changes are continuing at the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association.

This week, NIADA announced a refreshed vision and mission statements and the 10 steps the association intends to take to accomplish its mission.

NIADA’s vision and mission statements now say:

“A robust, ethical and professional independent used-vehicle market trusted by consumers. The mission statement describes what we do and why we exist. Every action and program of the association should support the mission.

“Promote, educate and advocate for ethical independent automobile dealers and their consumers. To achieve the vision and mission, the board adopted goals and objectives, which constitute the strategic direction of the association.”

According to a message sent to BHPH Report from NIADA, the association spelled out 10 ways it can fulfill that vision, including:

• Advocating before executive and legislative branches, coordinating state advocacy efforts and participating in key legal proceedings.

• Being the authoritative voice of the used vehicle marketplace.

• Promoting NIADA members to consumers.

• Providing resources to consumers purchasing used motor vehicles.

• Helping NIADA members optimize their business to compete in an evolving marketplace.

• Facilitating best practices, benchmarking and research while advancing industry knowledge through meetings, training, certification, publications and video.

• Providing NIADA members with discounted industry-leading products and services.

• Assisting in the development and management of regional, state and local independent dealer associations.

• Fostering and strengthening relationships with fellow associations, vendors and similarly-situated organizations to advance NIADA’s goals.

• Being a fiscally strong association with a knowledgeable, professional staff.

NIADA said its board of directors met in Dallas early last month to plan the association’s strategic direction for the next five years. The gathering arrived after Bob Voltmann became the association’s chief executive officer in late October and spent much of the time between his hire date and Thanksgiving learning about NIADA and what it wanted to accomplish.

“We wanted to find out how we could make the national association more inclusive for our state affiliates,” NIADA president Lou Tedeschi said in the message sent to BHPH Report. “Bob Voltmann was hired as CEO with that mission in mind. We conveyed to him our thoughts and ideas on how to accomplish this goal and he and his staff put together this plan, which was approved unanimously.

“The final result will bring NIADA to new heights in the coming years. It has something for everyone. If you’re a retail dealer or a Buy Here-Pay Here operator, if you’re heavy into the service business, we’ll have programs, education and products to help you increase your profits.”

NIADA added that its board will review the plan each fall and assess progress each quarter.