APRIL 23, 2008

IN THIS ISSUE

  DEALER NEWS & INFORMATION

     - Automotive News at a Glance

  LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

     - Under the Gold Dome

     - Ritter Orders Reports of

       Greenhouse-Gas Emissions

  REGULATORY & LEGAL UPDATES

     - Red Flags - Plan for Summer Training
       Series and Publications

     - DOT Rule Restricts Spare Batteries
       in Luggage (Summer Travel Tip)

     - 10 Employment Priorities for 2008

UPCOMING SEMINARS

     - Section 125 Cafeteria Plans

     - Designated Risk Management

       Seminar Returns to Colorado

  CALENDAR OF EVENTS
     - Upcoming Events

  DEALER MILESTONES,
     HIGHLIGHTS & TRANSITIONS

     - Arapahoe Hyundai Named to
       Hyundai Board of Excellence

     - Land Rover Flatirons Lanuches
       Colorado Tree Project

     - Anderson KIA of Boulder Hosts
       Grand Opening This Thursday

     - Dealerslink Adds Dollar Thrifty
       Automotive Group to Line-Up

     - Loveland Dealer and Sons to

       Ride for Rotary

     - Let Us Know About YOUR
       Accomplishments!

     ARCHIVES

       CLICK HERE for Open Road
       e-newsletter archives.

       CLICK HERE for 2008 Regulatory
       & Legal Articles from the Open
       Road e-newsletter.

       CLICK HERE for 2007 Regulatory
       & Legal Articles from the Open
       Road e-newsletter.

       CLICK HERE for Bulletin archives.

       CLICK HERE for Colorado Auto  
       Outlook archives.

       CLICK HERE for Denver Auto
       Outlook archives.

     ONLINE REGISTRATION

        CLICK HERE to register online
        for various CADA seminars & events.

     MEMBERSHIP RESOURCES

        CLICK HERE for details on the
        Speaker and Educational              
        Resources.

        CLICK HERE for a list of current    
        Endorsed Vendors/Programs.

        CLICK HERE for a list of current    
        Allied Members.

        CLICK HERE for an order form for   
        CADA forms.

www.nada.org
 

     CLICK HERE for NADA
Regulatory Affairs information.

     STATE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES

        CLICK HERE for the Auto Industry 
        Division of the Colorado Dept.
        of Revenue.

        CLICK HERE for the Title and   
        Registration section of the
        Colorado Dept. of Revenue,
        Motor Vehicles Division.

        CLICK HERE for the Colorado
        Department of Labor &
        Employment website.

Visit us at www.cadaonline.org.

CADA Hours of Operation
Monday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

      CADA STAFF

President
Tim Jackson
tim.jackson@cadaonline.org
303.282.1448

Vice President
Tammi McCoy
tammi.mccoy@cadaonline.org
303.282.1449  

Vice President -
Public Policy & Communications
Nancy J. Burke
nancy.burke@cadaonline.org
303.457.5115  

Bond Coordinator
Linda Toteve
linda.toteve@cadaonline.org
303.457.5122

F&I Resource Center -
Manager
Chad Julius
chad.julius@cadaonline.org
303.457.5119 

Insurance Services -
Account Manager
Deb Lay
dlay@cadaonline.org
303.282.1453

Insurance Services -
Account Manager
Bob Kogel
bobkogel@cadaonline.org
303.282.1457 

Executive Assistant/Member
Resources Coordinator
Lauren Stadler
lauren.stadler@cadaonline.org
303.457.5123

Services Coordinator
George Billings
george.billings@cadaonline.org 303.457.5117

If you have questions
or suggestions regarding this
e-newsletter, please
contact Nancy Burke at nancy.burke@cadaonline.org

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     ENDORSED VENDOR/PROGRAMS

        CLICK HERE for a list of current    
        Endorsed Vendors/Programs.
        Click on any of the logos below to
        to go directly to a vendor's webpage.

REYNOLDS AND REYNOLDS

Merchant Services

If you have trouble viewing any of the links or documents in this e-newsletter,
please CLICK HERE to access the web-based version.

AUTOMOTIVE NEWS AT A GLANCE

Listed here are several articles pertaining to the auto industry that appeared recently in newspapers and other media outlets across the nation.

• Action on emissions sought
  Detroit Free Press, April 18
  The Bush administration, in support of the auto industry, has urged a federal appeals court to set aside a ruling by a federal judge that said states have the authority to regulate global-warming gas emissions from vehicles.

• Hybrid sales up 38 percent in 2007
  Associated Press, April 21
  Kim Fenske drives a bus in Colorado by day, but when he's not working, he zooms around the mountains in a 2007 Toyota Prius...
  
  "My decision is a very political decision. I want to get people in this country off their dependency on foreign oil," said Fenske, 48, who lives at the Copper Mountain ski resort near Frisco.

• Automakers rally against state fuel rules
  Detroit Free Press, April 18
  In a rare show of industry solidarity, automakers and their dealers pressed today for Congress to block any attempt at allowing states to set their own fuel economy standards, laying a marker ahead of a new administration and Congress.
  

• Quality has hitch for Ford dealers
  Detroit Free Press, April 12
  Ford Motor Co. is improving the quality of its cars and trucks but, in an ironic twist, the gains come at a price for dealers who have come to depend on regular warranty work to keep their stores in the black.
  

• Jaguar, Land Rover CEO dies
  The Detroit News, April 21
  Jaguar and Land Rover's Chief Executive Geoff Polites, who is credited with steering the storied British luxury brands through the sale process to India's Tata Motors Ltd., has died. He was 60.

• Credit crunch sinks auto sales
  The Detroit News, April 21
  Auto sales are falling harder and faster this year than anyone anticipated because of a toxic combination of factors not seen since the oil shock of the 1980s.
  

UNDER THE GOLD DOME

Your CADA lobbyist, Nancy Burke, provides weekly updates on legislative issues relevant to the automotive industry. CLICK HERE to read about the current activities taking place on the state and federal levels.

* * * * * * * * *

RITTER ORDERS REPORTS OF GREENHOUSE-GAS EMISSIONS
By the Associated Press, April 22

Gov. Bill Ritter wants major polluters to start reporting their greenhouse gas emissions within two years.

Ritter signed an executive order Tuesday directing the state health department to draft the reporting requirements in the next 24 months. He also ordered the department to come up with regulations for reporting greenhouse emissions from passenger cars.

The Public Utilities Commission will also have to require utilities to submit plans explaining how they could reduce emissions by 20 percent by 2020.

Ritter also signed two other executive orders fleshing out the climate change plan he announced last fall.

• CLICK HERE for a press release on this matter:
  Gov. Ritter celebrates Earth Day 2008
• CLICK HERE for an article from The Denver Post:
  Ritter takes on climate change
  

________________________________________________________

If you have questions on any legislative topic, please contact:

• Nancy Burke, Vice President - Public Policy and Communications, nancy.burke@cadaonline.org, 303.457.5115
• Tim Jackson, President, tim.jackson@cadaonline.org,  303.282.1448

RED FLAGS - PLAN FOR SUMMER TRAINING SERIES AND PUBLICATIONS

CADA is receiving calls inquiring about the FTC’s new “Red Flags” requirements – what they are and when these new regulations are effective.   

These rules are intended to prevent fraud and identity theft and become mandatory effective Nov. 1, 2008. NADA is preparing a Management Guide planned for publication early this summer which will provide detailed guidance on the steps necessary to comply with the new requirements. Additionally, CADA is planning to conduct a series of training classes on this topic around the state in August. 

Generally, the new regulations will require creditors and financial institutions (including automobile dealers) to do the following:

1. Implement a written Identity Theft Protection Program with procedures designed to detect and respond to “red flags” indicating the potential of identity theft.
2. Periodically review and update the written program to reflect changing risks.
3. Train responsible staff members to follow the program.
4. Responsibly oversee service providers and third party vendors.
5. Involve senior management or owner in approving the written program and its administration.
6. Preparation of annual report to ownership by responsible staff listing compliance activities.

CLICK HERE for a highlight of the new rules.

* * * * * * * * *

DOT RULE RESTRICTS SPARE BATTERIES IN LUGGAGE (SUMMER TRAVEL TIP)

As spring/summer travel increases, many are just encountering recent airline restrictions on spare lithium batteries packed away in checked luggage. The lightweight lithium batteries, which power all kinds of consumer electronics including laptop computers, PDAs, cell phones and digital cameras, can be unstable and hazardous if they overheat or are punctured.

New Department of Transportation (DOT) rules continue to allow lithium batteries on board or in carry-on luggage if they are installed in electronic devices. As of Jan. 1, however, passengers were no longer able to pack loose, spare lithium batteries in checked luggage. A spare battery below 8 grams of lithium content may be packed in a carry-on bag, but DOT recommends keeping the battery in its original retail packaging or a plastic zip-lock bag to prevent unintentional short-circuiting.

* * * * * * * * *

TEN EMPLOYMENT PRIORITIES FOR 2008
By John Donovan, Fisher & Phillips, LLP

As an industry, the retail automobile business still lags behind most of  American business in terms of the attention paid to employment matters. This is due to a number of factors including the absence of human resources departments, high turnover, a lack of formal manager training and, of course, the hectic pace of work at dealerships. Too often the end result can be expensive, embarrassing and often unnecessary discrimination charges and lawsuits.

Fortunately, these charges and lawsuits are not an inevitable part of the dealership business. We know from experience that a dealer can reduce or even eliminate its exposure to employee claims by taking a few basic steps.

CLICK HERE for a list of the ten areas that regularly give rise to employee problems.

________________________________________________________

If you have questions on any legal or regulatory topic, please contact:

• Tammi McCoy, Vice Pres., tammi.mccoy@cadaonline.org, 303.282.1449
• Tim Jackson, President, tim.jackson@cadaonline.org,  303.282.1448

SECTION 125 CAFETERIA PLANS:
Maximizing tax savings and compliance review

If you currently have a Section 125 plan...
...Are you maximizing your tax savings?
...Could your cafeteria plan survive an IRS audit and is your plan compliant?

If you do not already have a Section 125 plan...
...You could add to your current benefit package at no additional cost!

Tax savings opportunities are substantial under IRS Tax code Section 125—but you must also keep up with changes in the regulations and requirements. To review the latest information on cafeteria plans, American Fidelity will be conducting a two-hour session covering what every company should know about Section 125 Cafeteria Plans:

• Advantages (and disadvantages) of having a Cafeteria Plan along with types of plans
• Legal requirements for setting up and maintaining a Cafeteria Plan
• Is your plan document current in all respects and on file for IRS review?
• Is your health insurer listed correctly in your plan document?
• What are the eligibility rules for employee participation?
• Have all participating employees made annual elections in writing and are these elections kept on file?
• What is your corporate tax status and do you understand who can participate in your Section 125 Plan?
• What the IRS will review in an IRS audit
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Options such as grace periods, over the counter meds, debit cards, etc.
• How amounts are calculated, qualified expenses, forfeitures, and using Health FSA’s to limit risk

CLICK HERE for more information
and the registration flyer.

Presented By KARLA BOLINGER, assistant vice president of American Fidelity 
Karla Bolinger has worked in the insurance industry for over 25 years. She earned her CFC designation and is a member of the Employers Council on Flexible Compensation (ECFC), which was established to create and maintain the most favorable legislative, regulatory and public opinion environment for defined contribution plans, 401(k) plans, cafeteria plans, and other elective compensation plans. American Fidelity is a national leader in providing Section 125 administrative services to employers since 1979 and has over 8,000 Section 125 accounts nationwide. They are the CADA-endorsed Section 125 administrative service provider.

Presented by CADA-endorsed provider
American Fidelity

* * * * * * * * *

DESIGNATED RISK MANAGEMENT SEMINAR
RETURNS TO COLORADO
Unique Opportunity Presented By
CADA-Endorsed Provider

• Local opportunity to attend this comprehensive
  risk management seminar
• Condensed one-day session of a 2 ½-day seminar
  typically held only at Federated headquarters

CADA, in conjunction with Federated, will be hosting a Designated Risk Management Seminar. This comprehensive seminar will be limited to twenty dealers, each of whom, after providing the requisite information, will be provided with comprehensive and customized materials at the seminar in April 2007. 

CLICK HERE for a registration form and more details.
CLICK HERE to register online for this event.
CLICK HERE for a seminar re-cap and testimonials from other CADA members who attended last year’s session (look under “Dealer News”).

TO REGISTER ONLINE FOR ANY CADA SEMINAR OR EVENT, PLEASE VISIT: www.cadaonline.org/registration

ARAPAHOE HYUNDAI NAMED TO HYUNDAI BOARD OF EXCELLENCE

Congratualtions to Arapahoe Hyundai for being named to the Hyundai Board of Excellence, a national network of distinguished dealers. Arapahoe Hyundai achieved President’s status through exceptional sales and customer satisfaction in 2007. 

“We’re thrilled to be recognized as one of the top Hyundai dealers across the country,” said Dave Zinsmeister, owner, Arapahoe Hyundai. “Achieving President’s status is a reflection of the hard work and emphasis our staff places on generating a high level of customer service and exceptional sales. We are excited to share this recognition with them.”

Hyundai Motor America has recognized its top dealers through the Board of Excellence program since 1998. Only 72 out of more than 780 dealerships received the award this year.

“Board of Excellence dealers shine, not only in sales, but also in customer satisfaction,” said David Zuchowski, vice president, national sales, Hyundai Motor America. “As one of Hyundai’s best-performing dealerships in the U.S., Arapahoe Hyundai has played a key role in our continued success in the automotive market.”

* * * * * * * * *

LAND ROVER FLATIRONS LAUNCHES COLORADO TREE PROJECT
In partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation,
Flatirons will plant 100 trees per vehicle sold

Land Rover Flatirons announced this week that it has launched the Colorado Tree Project, in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, to help reforest Colorado. The dealership will plant 100 trees in Colorado forests for every new and certified pre-owned Land Rover sold.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of trees are destroyed in Colorado by forest fires, disease and insect infestations. The Colorado Tree Project will help the environment through reforesting these damaged areas.

The public is invited to a celebration of the new Colorado Tree Project on Saturday, April 26—one day after Arbor Day—from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Land Rover Flatirons, 1500 E. Coalton Road in Superior. Each visitor to the showroom will receive a free tree seedling appropriate for planting here in Colorado.

“Land Rover Flatirons is committed to being a good steward of our environment,” said Ed Dobbs, centre manager. “Working with the Arbor Day Foundation, the trees we plant in Colorado will help clean the air, control soil erosion and provide food and habitat for wildlife—all while beautifying the landscape that so many Land Rover owners enjoy during their recreational activities.”

For more information, CLICK HERE or contact Land Rover Flatirons at 303-554-3000.

* * * * * * * * *

ANDERSON KIA OF BOULDER HOSTS GRAND OPENING THIS THURSDAY

Please join Anderson KIA of Boulder tomorrow for thier grand opening celebration from 4 to 8 p.m. at 3200 28th Street. The official ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 4 p.m., and one lucky attendee wil receive a year of free car detaling from the dealership. A canned food drive will also be held, with donations going to Community Food Share, the Food Bank for Bulder and Broomfield Counties. CLICK HERE for more details.

* * * * * * * * *

DEALERSLINK ADDS DOLLAR THRIFTY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP TO LINE-UP

Dealerslink, a CADA-allied member, is pleased to introduce the Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group (DTAG) as its newest member. Earlier this month they went live with approximately 500 units from a range of DTAG locations nationwide, including models from Subaru, Toyota, Ford, Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge. The inventory listed with Dealerslink will be updated every 15 minutes trhoughout the day to provide unlimited dealer-to-dealer trading network for used vehicles.

"The addition of rental car units signals a departure from out exisiting dealer-only inventories--and is a logical next step for Dealerslink," according to Michael O'Neal, director of operations. "The prospect of unlimited monthly trading without transaction fees struck a cord with CADA membership, and we responded."

The pricing of these vehicles will be extremely competitive. Units featured online will include photographs, a complete list of options, and an asking price. All vehicles will be within $300 of wholesale, and DTAG stands behind each car they sell.

For more information, CLICK HERE to visit the Dealerslink website.

* * * * * * * * * 

LOVELAND DEALER AND SONS TO RIDE FOR ROTARY

For the next three summers, Ryan Ferrero and his two sons will take a 1,000-mile bike ride across the United States to support the Loveland Rotary Club. Ferrero, owner of Ferrero I-25 Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Loveland, Riley, 9, and Dylan, 7, will ride on a Pino Tour tandem hybrid bike for this event. 

Ridin' for Rotary is a charitable ride to support their dictionary project, with a goal of more than $5,000. The purpose of this bike ride is for every 3rd grader in the Thompson R2-J School District to receive a dictionary courtesy of the Loveland Rotary Club. 

Between June 19 and July 3, 2008, the three "boys" will be dipping the traditional rear-tire in the Pacific in Astoria, Oregon. Then the Ferreros will ride a self-supported 800-mile solo tour through the Oregon Cascade Mountain Range through Boise, completing their first of three legs in Sun Valley, Idaho. Summer 2009 and 2010 will complete the journey in Washington DC where the front wheel will be dipped in the Atlantic.

"We will raise money to ensure that every 3rd grader receives the New Heritage full-color hard-backed dictionary," said Ryan. 

To support Ridin' for Rotary,
CLICK HERE for more information
or visit www.RyanFerrero.com/Rotary.

* * * * * * * * *

LET US KNOW ABOUT YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS!

Have you or anyone else at your dealership won an award recently? Have you or your dealership provided any outstanding community service? We want to recognize such accomplishments. Please send us a brief write-up of the award or event along with any other information to milestones@cadaonline.org.  Also include your contact information for further follow-up.

If you want to be added to our mailing list, please CLICK HERE.