LAS VEGAS (April 1, 2016) Eric Jorgensen, outgoing chairman of the American Truck Dealers (ATD), urged dealers to continue to partner with ATD leaders as they speak out to members of Congress about harmful regulations and tax increases that unfairly target them.

“We have to make sure that truck dealers have a face in front of elected officials, and that we have a seat at the table,” said Jorgensen in farewell remarks today at the ATD Convention & Expo in Las Vegas. “I've seen for myself how important this is. The success of our business depends on what happens in Washington, D.C., [whether] the issue is taxes, highway funding, environmental regulations or road safety.”

Jorgensen underscored the work of ATD to inform members of Congress about “unreasonable or unrealistic” regulations including proposed emissions and fuel-economy standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Such regulations “could potentially harm consumers, the economy and emissions goals,” he said.

He also highlighted ATD's continuing efforts to oppose an increase on the 12% Federal Excise Tax on heavy-duty trucks: "We will continue to fight any increase in the FET. ATD is working to garner support on the House concurrent resolution, and we are working to generate a Senate companion. This archaic tax on an American made product needs to be addressed."

But Jorgensen, president and CEO of JX Enterprises in Hartland, Wis., reminded ATD members that their participation in such activities as the “truck dealer fly-in”—when dealers from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., for concentrated and focused visits with members of Congress—is vital to ensure the trucking industry is not weighed down by unfair taxes and regulations.

“As I leave my chair, I know our network will continue to grow-but how strong it gets is all up to you. We have to make sure that truck dealers have a face in front of elected officials, and that we have a seat at the table,” he said. “I've seen for myself how important this is. The success of our business depends on what happens in Washington, D.C. Let's continue to reach out to members of Congress because in the end, they decide how our trucks move off our lots.”

The 2016 ATD Convention & Expo ran concurrently with the NADA Convention. More than 25,000 new-car and -truck dealers and their managers, as well as dealers from over 30 countries, auto industry executives and exhibitor staff attended the convention in Las Vegas.

Founded in 1917, NADA will celebrate its 100-year anniversary during the 2017 NADA/ATD Convention & Expo in New Orleans, which will run from Jan. 26-29.