WASHINGTON (July 21, 2009) - Today's characterization by the head of the White House Auto Task Force with regard to the position of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) on the question of dealer cuts is inaccurate. In comments at a hearing before the House Judiciary Commercial and Administrative Law Subcommittee, Ron Bloom maintained that NADA's only point of contention was the speed of dealer cuts. Not true. NADA is on record as consistently disagreeing with the idea of drastic cuts in the number of auto dealers. Auto dealers are independent business owners, entrepreneurs who invest millions of dollars in land, facilities, vehicle inventory, parts, training and employees. It is the dealer who should decide, based on market conditions, when to exit the business. Since dealers cost automakers next to nothing in overhead expenses, cutting dealers at this time does nothing to make either GM or Chrysler more viable.

NADA's position on the issue of dealer cuts has been outlined on numerous occasions, including in multiple meetings with the Auto Task Force. These positions were also stated publicly in an Open Letter to President Obama that was published in major newspapers around the country.