A Message from VADA President and CEO Don Hall
January 2026
January in Richmond is always a blend of tradition, new beginnings, and hard work. Every four years, things get even more special in the Commonwealth’s capital.
As the Virginia General Assembly gaveled in on January 14, we were not only watching bills and committee assignments, but several dealers were in town to attend the inauguration of Gov. Abigail Spanberger — the 75th and first woman to serve as Virginia’s governor — and participate in the civic life of our state. VADA is an active participant in every gubernatorial inauguration, and we celebrate the continued peaceful transfer of power.
This session began with 21 new legislators joining the General Assembly, making relationship-building and education a top priority for VADA. We know that strong, informed connections with lawmakers matter: they help them understand who we are, what we do, and why the franchise system — which supports jobs, communities, consumer protections, and local investment — remains essential across every corner of the Commonwealth.
VADA is monitoring numerous bills that can impact your business. Read about them in our weekly Capitol Briefs report.
From proposals that would tax services including vehicle repair, to conversations about extending safety inspection cycles and modernizing EV infrastructure statewide, dealers are watching a wide range of legislation that could affect the business environment in every store.
VW and the threat of direct sales
At the same time, the threat of direct-to-consumer sales, particularly from manufacturers like Volkswagen — ahem, Scout Motors — seeking to bypass the franchise system, continues to loom. See my interview on CBT News and an editorial we had published in Automotive News. Manufacturers’ interest in selling direct is not just about distribution; it calls into question the competitive, accountable dealer network that consumers rely on for service, warranty support, financing options, and community engagement long after the initial sale.
VW recently secured licenses to sell its Scout EVs directly in several states. In Virginia, Scout would only be able to do so if it could show there is no dealer available — a harder argument to make when they currently have dealers for multiple other line-makes. These threats never disappear and VADA will continue to be vigilant in our defense of dealers.
Dealer Day on, but postponed
What makes our industry strong — and what we’ll showcase during the rescheduled Dealer Day at the Capitol on February 25 — is the diversity of Virginia’s dealerships. Dealership staff come from every background, every region, and every walk of life. Virginia dealers are building new futures, and providing high-tech careers for all Virginians. That diversity is part of who we are, and it resonates with lawmakers when they meet the real faces behind the industry.
Dealer Day is our annual opportunity to educate, connect, and strengthen the bipartisan understanding of how dealerships support jobs, drive training and workforce development, and anchor local economies. It’s where policy becomes personal, where lawmakers see the real impact of the franchise system, and where our dealership representatives help shape the narrative and our work for the months ahead.
A special personal appointment and mission
This session also began with a deeply personal honor. Gov. Spanberger appointed me to serve on the Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors, a four-year term that began with her swearing in.
VMI’s mission is rooted in developing principled leaders of character, and those values should be accessible to every qualified Virginian willing to meet its rigorous standards. I am committed to ensuring the Institute maintains its traditions and high expectations while providing a fair, consistent environment where all cadets can succeed.
That same balance — strong standards paired with opportunity and accountability — is one I believe in deeply and one that also defines Virginia’s franchise dealer system.
This session, our message remains the same: the franchise system works for Virginians — and we’ll be here to stand up for it, explain it, and protect it at every turn.
Headed to Vegas for NADA Show 2026? Join us at our Reception!
Join VADA, MADA, and WANADA for a welcome reception at the 2026 NADA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Dealer Day postponed to February 25
Snow, ice, and travel conditions made it impractical to hold our event on January 28 as planned.
Dealer Day on the Hill
NEW DATE: Wednesday, February 25 | 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Meet at Hilton Richmond Downtown | 501 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219
