NEW-CAR DEALERS MOVE TOWARD ‘GREENER’ DEALERSHIPS

WASHINGTON (Jan. 31, 2013) - The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have partnered to help new-car dealers reduce their energy consumption through the Energy Star program.

As part of this effort, NADA and EPA are encouraging dealerships to complete a brief survey that will give the agency a benchmark to better compare the energy usage of dealerships across the country and allow certification of those dealerships that perform well. The survey asks dealers to share their yearly utility bills, square footage-inside and out-and different types of equipment used at the dealership. 

"NADA's ultimate goal is to help dealers learn ways to save energy and reduce their costs," said Don Chalmers, chairman of NADA's Government Relations Committee, and a Ford and Lincoln dealer in New Mexico. "Before we can begin the Energy Star certification process, we need to benchmark the energy usage of at least 500 dealerships."

Main Street new-car dealers that participate in the survey and reduce their power usage will be recognized by Energy Star for their efforts to reduce the dealership's impact on the environment. 

To encourage participation, NADA has launched a new program called Energy Ally. Businesses, such as accounting, consulting and energy management firms, that assist at least five dealerships to complete the survey will be awarded an NADA Energy Ally designation. These contractors can use the recognition to market their services to other dealerships. 

NADA has produced a video demonstrating the cost-saving benefits of implementing an energy efficiency plan highlighting efforts at a dealership in Christiansburg, Va. The video also highlights the importance of dealers taking the survey and the ease of the data input. Click here ( http://youtu.be/oHvVR-py2D0 ) to view the video.

The NADA Convention and Expo, which will be held Feb. 8-11 in Orlando, will showcase hundreds of exhibitors whose products help meet the energy-saving goals of dealerships.

Motion sensors for lights, timers for thermostats, heaters that run on used motor oil, solar arrays for heating water and gathering electricity and roof cooling devices are just some of the products that will be on display at the convention, Chalmers added.