A festive atmosphere permeated the New Car Dealers Association of BC’s Member Appreciation Christmas luncheon and Chairman’s Tour, kindled by holiday decorations and the jolly attire of at least two distinguished NCDA representatives.
After partaking in a holiday spread, members and guests sat to hear the speakers talk about the year in the industry, what the associations are up to, and heard a brief look into the year ahead.
The first speaker was Anthony Lunelli, spending his last term as Chairman of NCDA. He gave appreciation to his predecessor, Peter Heppner, who was at the helm of the organization through the storms of 2020, and who did a great job of keeping the association and members abreast of the situation during hard times. Lunelli and Blair Qualey, NCDA President and CEO, then presented Heppner and past Chair James Carter certificates of appreciation for their hard work for the association. Lunelli then described the recent activities of the NCDA.
Peter Heppner then spoke, first giving appreciation to the NCDA as being a great example of a highly effective association that has a strong reputation with the rest of the country. He then spoke about his year as Chair of the CADA and went through many of the things that the national association has been busy with over the last year. He brought up the “dumpster fire” Federal Luxury Tax, and the association’s lobbying efforts to get it clarified, the Right to Repair legislation, as well as the transition to EVs and how much work there is left to do on the government’s part to get the industry there by 2035.
The provincial auto industry climate and the NCDA’s efforts on behalf of dealers was the topic of Blair Qualey’s segment of the afternoon. NCDA has done a lot of research, and Qualey presented the numbers that prove the importance of the auto industry to the provincial economy. “Our 400-or-so dealer members contribute over $15 billion of economic activity to the provincial economy,” he said. The continued pressure to alleviate consumers of a double luxury tax, plus the successes and challenges of the CleanBC Go Electric program were discussed.
The Salesperson of the Year Awards (for top 2021 sales by brand) were also presented to recipients, and they received a loud round of applause before they got their professional photos and their certificates.
NCDA gave thanks to their event sponsors, Cox Automotive, Kijiji Autos, CADA360, First Canadian and Michael Mason for making the event possible.
