For those of you who aren’t familiar with the NADA it’s the National Auto Dealers Association. Every year dealers gather from all corners of the U.S. to come and talk about the challenges todays auto dealers face and what’s new in the marketplace. I’ve been full time in our dealership for just over 5 years now and although I participated in the NADA’s Dealer Candidate Academy 2 years ago I hadn’t been to Convention since I was a young girl. I’m attending by myself and arrived last night in New Orleans and started the morning picking up my registration and wandering through the expansive exposition center taking in all the vendors. A lot of dealers come to convention just to shop for products they’re looking for in their stores. This year we aren’t particularly in the market for anything, so I’m walking around taking in all the montrously expensive and elaborate displays and wondering how much money these vendors have spent just to be here at NADA? However I was not going to be lured by any of these vendors and their flashy displays and free gifts. I was on a mission. I was here to see the new 2010 Taurus. The car everyone is going to be talking about. Being the proud soon-to-be second generation Ford dealer I am, I’m always a little deflated when I’m telling someone in my generation about what a great car the Taurus has become this year, and how amazing the redesign is for 2010. They look at me disdainfully, roll their eyes and say as if I have a third eye, “the Taurus?” Why would I ever consider such a thing, that’s what my parents drive. We’ll hang onto your hats kids because the 2010 Taurus is not only stylish, safe, green, and so technologically advanced that it is going to blow the doors of it’s competition. Yes, yes, and yes I’m talking about the Taurus. So of course I was determined to get some real photos of this new beauty to share with my friends and family and I’m pleased to say that it’s as gorgeous as all the hype. If you’re still in the dark on the hype about the new 2010 Taurus here’s your chance to be on the cutting edge. Tell your friends this isn’t their mother’s Taurus!
So I’ve got my photos of the 2010 Taurus and I’m stoked! (Yes, I’m easily amused.) I head up to my session and settle in and learn a new angle about the basics of selling cars, and head down to the general session. After being so excited about the pictures of the Taurus I almost forgot that Alan Mulally CEO and President of Ford Motor Company is this afternoons keynote speaker! I get in the general assemby room really early and I’m sitting in the third row behind all the Ford execs and very close to the stage. The excitement from my photos is starting to wear off and I’m again thinking about all the fanfare and money being spent on this convention. What a waste of resources I’m thinking, but then again I know that dealers in so many communities are really struggling and attitudes have been bleak for several months now. These dealers really need to know and feel that things are going to turn around for them. Just as I’m thinking about this, the presentation of the flag is made and a beautiful collection of patriotic songs is sung and everyone is feeling warm and fuzzy, and no doubt proud to be an American. Alan Mulally is introduced and delivers a message that is so down to earth, and optimistically powerful that I am again so proud I’m about to be a second generation Ford dealer. Listen for yourself to his address.
I was taken aback by the current relevancy of Henry Ford’s words when he said, “What’s right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have a great capacity – intellect and resources – to do something about them.”
I’m with Alan, I’ve never been more pleased to represent such an important industry in my community.
Tags: 2010 Taurus, alan mulally, auto industry, bailout, ford, NADA convention
