Barrie: Dealer Myths
Occasionally, we discuss dealership myths — things that “everyone knows”, even though they may not be true. Here are some you should consider.
Barrie: Insurance Coverages: Do You Have Proper Coverage for Everyday Issues?
Dealers know that the business carries with it a high-risk environment involving valuable inventory, customer interactions, employee operations and an ever-changing regulatory landscape. Understanding and maintaining adequate insurance coverage is not merely the best practice; it is a critical component of sound business risk management and legal compliance.
Barrie: Buyers Guides and FTC Used Car Rule Compliance
The original Used Car Rule was promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission in 1985. While there are few dealership employees who were active before the Rule was put in place, there is still some confusion surrounding the completion of the buyers guide. This was caused in part in early 2017 when the Rule was revised, and the buyers guide was redesigned.
Barrie: Credit Card Downpayments are Not Cash Downpayments
For years, it was old adage that the finance sources either did not permit or limited the amount of downpayment that consumers could put on a credit card for motor vehicle purchased that were financed. Times have changed. With the average cost of new motor vehicles around $50,000, making monthly payments affordable has become a real numbers game.
Dealers Shifting Gears for Good: July
As summer continues across the Commonwealth, Virginia’s auto dealers are keeping their communities at the heart of everything they do. From supporting children’s health and fighting food insecurity to investing in local students and bringing
Virginia’s EV market slows as buyers weigh cost, convenience.
Virginia remains one of the nation’s stronger markets for electric vehicles, but new data suggests consumers are taking a more measured approach to buying them as affordability, charging convenience and the end of federal purchase incentives reshape the market.
The future belongs to dealers who never stop evolving
Don has a few takeaways from this year’s Annual Convention. Most notably: Auto retail isn’t going back to the way it was.
Dealers Shifting Gears for Good: June
As summer arrives across the Commonwealth, Virginia’s auto dealers continue to demonstrate that community commitment extends far beyond the showroom. From supporting food security and promoting public health to advocating for mental wellness and animal
Kevin Tynan returns to VADA ’26 with an economic outlook
A convention favorite, Kevin Tynan takes a look at the automotive retail market economics — for better or worse.
FTC advertising compliance at VADA ’26: What dealers need to know
Get the powerhouse legal and regulatory update from VADA ’26, featuring our partners at ComplyAuto.
The “Indifference Tax”: F&I & HR guru Joe St. John on why process drives success
The Kansas City dealer leader explains the hidden factors costing dealerships millions and shares five strategies to reduce turnover and build better systems.
Dealer Data Scientist: Dealers can’t wait for the old market to come back
ACV’s John Coles told VADA dealers that margin compression is here to stay, affordability is reshaping demand and AI should support — not replace — people.
Dealer tech company CEO: ‘Own your data, or someone else will’
Diana Lee of Constellation says the future of automotive marketing belongs to dealers who own their data, embrace AI and make pricing easy to find.
Five Things we learned from a panel of auto retail media moguls
From FTC compliance to Carvana, brokers and customer experience, Don Hall, Sam D’Arc and Jim Fitzpatrick shared five important lessons for dealers navigating a changing industry.
VADA ’26 recap: 10 takeaways on warranty, AI and customer retention
Warranty revenue is at record levels, but customer-pay growth and retention remain challenges. Here are 10 key insights from Jim Roche and Car Dealership Guy on fixed ops, AI and the future of service.
Drive FixedOps Profits with NCM (Sept. 23 or 24)
Join VADA and our partners at NCM Associates for an intensive one-day workshop designed for Dealer Principals, General Managers and Service Managers who want to strengthen Fixed Operations performance. Attendees will learn how to improve
Our mid-year 2026 Legal & Legislative Update
Catch up on all things regs and laws in our mid-year Legal & Legislative Update with VADA’s expert team.
Spot Deliveries
Dealers learned from the horse’s mouth that advertising, as they had known it, has officially changed.
Challenging a Franchisor Audit
Dealers learned from the horse’s mouth that advertising, as they had known it, has officially changed.
Dealers Shifting Gears for Good: May
Dealers Shifting Gears for Good: May Virginia’s auto dealers continue to drive positive change across the Commonwealth. As May brings warmer days and renewed community spirit, dealerships throughout Virginia are investing their time, resources, and
