ALEXANDRIA, Va. — With Thanksgiving just around the corner,
now is a good time for me to take a step back from politics and industry news,
and focus instead on the larger picture. After all, dealers have a lot to be
thankful for this year.

Since the Great Recession began four years ago, our industry
has been beset by uncertainty. Recently, however, we have seen a steady trend
of rising sales. Today the sales outlook is positive for both dealers and
manufacturers, and that can mean only good things for our employees and
communities.

At the end of October, auto sales were up 13.8 percent from
2011 and on track to hit 14.2 million units by year's end. We have been through
some difficult times, but I am confident that we are truly now in a recovery.
And perhaps, stronger and more resilient for the challenges we faced.

Closer to home, I am thankful for my customers, both old and
new; my excellent employees; and the good relationship we have with our
manufacturers. I am thankful each and every time a storm hits and our buildings
and inventory make it through unscathed. I am thankful for the technology that
makes running a multi-franchise business possible.

I am thankful for all the opportunities I have been given to
help others. It's a perk of the car business that we don't celebrate often
enough – the chance to contribute to the charities and causes that matter most
to us.

Above all else, I am thankful for my family – those that
came before, and those that inspire me every day to build a business that will
last far into the future.

Finally, thank you, for all that you do. As AIADA members,
your involvement is what drives this important organization to protect and
defend our industry in Washington, D.C. I am truly grateful to have been your
voice in 2012, and I look forward to many more years of working with you to
expand our influence.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Ray Mungenast is the current chairman of the American International
Automobile Dealers Association.


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