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In this conclusion to our special end-of-year series, VADA President and CEO Don Hall shifts the focus from external threats to the internal dynamics that will define dealership success in 2026. Hall shares candid takeaways from his recent time at the NADA Academy, specifically highlighting the critical, often undervalued role of service technicians. He argues that the service drive touches far more customers than the sales floor and that building a culture where employees feel valued is the only sustainable way to protect the business. Hall also issues a warning about upcoming regulatory attacks targeting processing fees and spot deliveries, urging dealers to prepare now rather than later. He challenges owners and general managers to “lead from the front” by being visible and engaged in the daily grind of their stores. With the 2026 legislative session and Virginia’s 250th anniversary on the horizon, the message is clear: your presence—whether in the dealership or at the General Assembly—has never mattered more.