PROUDLY SERVING VIRGINIA’S FRANCHISED NEW CAR & TRUCK DEALERS SINCE 1943
The Virginia Automobile Dealers Association (VADA) represents franchised new car and truck dealers in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Formed by dealers in 1943 as the Automotive Trade Association of Virginia, the Association came in response to the challenges facing dealers as a result of World War II. Then, dealers had difficulty getting vehicles to sell or parts for repairs. Fortunately, that year, eight of the Commonwealth’s dealers served as elected officials in the General Assembly of Virginia. These individuals recognized the importance of dealers joining together in preparation for the post-war economy. The Association adopted its current name in the early 1970s.
From the beginning, the Association’s founding members were focused on dealer advocacy at the General Assembly of Virginia, with regulators and with manufacturers. Their vision for the Association was also one of togetherness and to obtain economies of scale in the purchasing of products and services such as insurance.
Today, VADA remains true to these core purposes. The Association is one of the most successful and influential lobbying groups in Virginia. Just in the past decade, we have made enormous strides in strengthening Virginia’s laws to protect dealers from unfair trade practices.
In its 75 years of existence, VADA has had just four presidents, with the current President & CEO, Don Hall, having served the association since 1988. This consistency has led to a winning formula when it comes to preserving the rights of Virginia’s new car and truck dealers.