Wow, the past few months have been quite interesting! Keeping up with all the challenges shaping the auto industry has been challenging. I genuinely appreciate the resilience, strength and positivity that our NADA Board and dealers embody. We have faced uncertainty and tough times before, and I know we will continue to weather any storm that comes our way! I want to thank the board, the ATAEs and especially Mike Stanton and the NADA staff for all that NADA has accomplished since New Orleans. 

NADA began the year (besides the snow in New Orleans) with a favorable court ruling on Jan. 27, 2025, vacating the FTC’s CARS rule, only to face the Scout/VW and Honda/Sony actions that would prompt NADA to support state franchise laws that protect dealers and their customers. Then the discussion and implementation of the president’s tariffs arrived. 

I really don’t need to explain in depth the effects this has had on our OEMs and franchises. Like you, I have had many discussions with those affected by the actions and their consequences. Let me assure you, NADA has been on top of the tariff situation since President Trump publicly supported them. We have been in constant contact with dealers, OEMs, other significant auto industry groups, and members of the Administration and Congress. We have also communicated with our membership and the media to educate them on our perspective. 

While NADA acknowledges the underlying concepts related to the tariffs, as a trade association, it is our responsibility to ensure that the Administration is adequately informed regarding the implications of the decisions being made. NADA aims to ensure that the Administration’s choices are well-informed. 

In pursuit of this objective, NADA has discussed this with officials from the White House, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Commerce and the Small Business Administration. NADA has also requested meetings with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the National Economic Council. 

These meetings aim to ensure that the perspectives of America’s franchised new car dealers are represented in Washington and that policymakers know the implications of buying and selling automobiles. 

Here are a few of the messages that NADA has presented to our policymakers: 

• The average monthly new car payment is $729; increasing these payments will surely be out of reach for the average American family. 
• The average cost of a new vehicle would increase from $2,000 to $12,000 (depending on the model). 
• The affected sales of new vehicles could be reduced by 1.1 million units. 
• We have partnered with other key auto industry groups to send a message to the Administration. 
• NADA will continue its efforts to educate Washington on tariff impacts and keep membership informed of its work. 

Finally, I would like to highlight in my notes the passage of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions in both the House and the Senate, which currently awaits the President’s signature to formalize the legislation. Among other benefits, this legislation effectively outlaws the California ZEV rule, which was designed to ban internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. I want to thank the dealers, ATAEs and staff for their hard work in presenting our concerns to Congress and their unwavering support, along with months of tireless efforts to convey the CRA message to our legislators and federal regulators. 

As this year’s chairman, I represent your interests and am the voice of NADA, which serves you and all the dealers. Please contact me with any questions, concerns or ideas. I look forward to hearing from you (really)! 

Semper Fi, 

Tom Castriota