Ashleigh Sykes, Author at AADA

Cyber Smart Dealers: December Webinar

Posted on 28th November, 202328th November, 2023 by Ashleigh Sykes

Join us for our next webinar, this time featuring our first guest presenter from respected law firm Macpherson Kelley! The webinar will consider cyber security issues particularly from the legal perspective, e.g:

Motor Dealers’ data protection obligations under the Privacy Act,
The impact of cyber events on motor Dealers’ data breach reporting obligations,
The growing use of AI in cyber events, and
Comments about cyber insurance.

Title: Privacy – when, how and what if?

Date: Wednesday 6 December 2023

Time: 11:00am AEDT

Presented by: Kelly Dickson from Macpherson Kelley

Key Takeaways:

Understanding of the privacy landscape and the data protection obligations on motor Dealers
Practical tips to help your business guard against cyber events
Practical guidance for what to do when things go wrong

Q&A Session: Engage with our speaker, share your concerns, and get your questions answered. Pre-submitted questions are also accepted and encouraged.

Cyber Smart Dealers: November Webinar

Posted on 1st November, 20231st November, 2023 by Ashleigh Sykes

Join us for this enlightening webinar as we dive into the unique cybersecurity challenges faced by automotive dealerships and provide a roadmap to establish a solid security foundation.

Title: Building Cybersecurity in a Dealership: Baseline your security posture today
Presented By: Brian Hay from Cultural Cyber Security (CCS)
When: Thursday 16 November 2023
Time: 2:00pm AEDT

Key Takeaways:

Understanding the Threat Landscape: Grasp the various cyber threats specific to automotive dealerships, from data breaches affecting customer data to risks associated with modern car technologies.
Digital Touchpoints at Risk: Learn about the various digital touchpoints in a dealership, such as online sales platforms, digital inventory systems, and connected vehicle technologies, but also consideration of physical risks.
Baselining Your Current Security Posture: Discover tools and methodologies to assess and baseline your current cybersecurity maturity, identifying gaps and vulnerabilities.
Building a Resilient Security Framework: Acquire actionable strategies to develop a comprehensive and proactive cybersecurity program tailored for dealerships, encompassing technology, processes, and people.

Real-world Case Studies: Delve into real-life incidents where dealerships faced cyber threats, the consequences they dealt with, and the lessons learned.

Q&A Session: Engage with our speaker, share your concerns, and get your questions answered.

Webinars are open to all member staff and industry partners, register now to secure your spot!

Can’t make it on the day? Register anyway, and we’ll send you a recording of the webinar so you can catch up at your convenience.

2024 AADA Convention & Expo Details

Posted on 6th October, 20231st November, 2023 by Ashleigh Sykes

We are pleased to announce the details for the 2024 AADA Convention & Expo. The event will be hosted at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC), located in the heart of Melbourne, on 24-25 July 2024.

The theme of our 2024 Convention & Expo, ‘Growth and Innovation‘, will cast a spotlight on the emerging challenges and opportunities within the dynamic online commercial landscape and the expanding demand for electric vehicles. With an eye on the impending transformative shifts in the franchised new car dealership sector and its pivotal role in car distribution, the 2024 AADA Convention & Expo Program promises to tackle these evolving dynamics proactively. Our commitment is to provide our attendees with thought-provoking discussions and practical solutions to navigate this changing terrain.

2023 AADA Convention & Expo Feature Panel

Posted on 3rd May, 20231st June, 2023 by Ashleigh Sykes

The AADA is pleased to announce “Retail Auto > The Road Ahead”, the Feature Panel of the 2023 AADA Convention & Expo being held on 14 June at ICC Sydney as part of the AADA Cox Automotive Keynote Session!

Featuring some of the top industry executives from various Australian retail automotive industry sectors, the panel includes Toyota Australia CEO & President Matt Callachor, carsales.com.au CEO & Managing Director Cameron McIntyre, 2023 NADA Chairman Geoffrey Pohanka, Cox Australia CEO Stephen Lester, and Servco CEO Nick Pappas. Moderated by James Voortman, AADA CEO.

New car dealerships are the foundation of the automotive ecosystem. The 2023 AADA Convention & Expo will explore the road ahead for retail auto, especially how new car dealerships will lead the way in innovation and consumer interaction.

This significant panel session will provide franchised new car Dealers valuable insights into the future retail auto industry and the necessary adjustments for dealership businesses to stay competitive.

Join us on 14-15 June for the 2023 AADA Convention & Expo in Sydney.

Vale Ray Kennedy

Posted on 5th April, 20231st June, 2023 by Ashleigh Sykes

Ray Kennedy, a former communications advisor to the AADA secretariat team, passed away on 9 March.

Early in his career Ray worked as a journalist at The Argus, The Age, The Herald, Australian United Press and the ABC. After compulsory National Service in the Australian Army and a period at Eric White and Associates, he joined Ford Motor Company as Publicity Officer at Ford’s Australian HO in Broadmeadows.

Ray rose rapidly through Ford Public Affairs with stints in Dearborn MI, UK and Europe. He was appointed the inaugural Public Relations Manager for the newly created Ford Asia Pacific region based in Melbourne. This was at a time when Ford was applying significant focus to the rapidly developing Asian markets. This meant that Ray worked closely with senior Ford executives including Henry Ford II, ‘Bunkie’ Knudsen, Lee Iacocca, Philip Caldwell and others.

Ray left Ford to establish his own PR consulting business, which he grew significantly over many years before selling out to his partners and retiring.

After AADA was formed as a separate organisation from the precedent entities, Ray was asked to provide media and communications advice and services to the small fledgling secretariat team. In those early days, Ray’s experience and knowledge provided critical support while the organisation was being built.

On behalf of AADA we extend our deep sympathies to Ray’s wife Jill, his daughters Jane and Carrie, and his entire family.

Retail Auto > The Road Ahead: Full Program announced for 2023 AADA Convention & Expo

Posted on 5th April, 202322nd August, 2023 by Ashleigh Sykes

AADA has announced the program for its highly anticipated 2023 Convention & Expo, which will be held on the 14-15 June at the ICC Sydney. This year’s Convention is themed around ‘RETAIL AUTO > THE ROAD AHEAD’ and attendees can look forward to an exciting and informative event.

Featuring a star-studded line-up, this year’s Convention includes renowned singer-songwriter, author, and political activist, Sir Bob Geldof, as well as adventurer, Jessica Watson, and leading market economist, Stephen Koukoulas, who will share their thoughts on how new car dealerships can remain competitive in the current economic climate. Anjali Rao, former CNN Anchor, will be returning to host the event.

The main stage program boasts a Keynote Address by 2023 NADA Chairman, Geoffrey Pohanka, an update from Glenn Mercer on Dealership of Tomorrow (DoT), and a presentation on fixed operations by international speaker, Jeff Cowan, that will be live streamed to dealerships. There will also be insightful presentations by Mark Ward, Randall Bryson and Grant Cameron of BDO titled “Dealership Trends: not just the numbers” – giving attendees actionable strategies for success in the ever-changing automotive industry.

In addition, there are 25 workshops covering new & used sales, marketing, finance, fixed operations, legal & HR issues and more – each offering vital knowledge for franchised new car Dealers.

Don’t miss out on the 2023 AADA Convention & Expo at the ICC Sydney – it promises to be an event that you won’t want to miss!

VIEW PROGRAM

Australia’s Best-Looking Dealership

Posted on 5th April, 20231st June, 2023 by Ashleigh Sykes

Are you proud of your Dealership’s picturesque location and stunning views? Maybe you think it’s the most aesthetically pleasing in the country, or boasts an exceptional design that sets it apart from the rest? AADA is on the hunt for Dealerships that not only provide top-notch service and products but also offer a unique and beautiful location that make it stand out.

Submit your application for the chance to win the coveted title of ‘Australia’s Best-Looking Dealership’. We’re looking for winners in two categories: Regional Dealers and Metro Dealers, to showcase the wide-ranging nature of the automotive industry in Australia.

Not only will the winners have bragging rights, they will have a professional photoshoot at their Dealership arranged and paid for by the AADA. Winners will be chosen by the secretariat, and the photos can be used for the Dealership’s business, they will also be featured in AADA marketing collateral and to decorate the walls of our offices!

Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to showcase your Dealership. Submit your application now for the chance to be recognised as the best-looking dealership in Australia. Nominations close on 30 April 2023.

APPLICATION FORM

Annual AADA Automotive Statistics Booklet Released

Posted on 6th March, 20231st June, 2023 by Ashleigh Sykes

AADA has gathered data from various sources to create the 2023 edition of the annual Automotive Statistics booklet. AADA Automotive Statistics 2023 is a valuable resource which provides insights into the latest trends in the automotive industry, summarising some of the most relevant and interesting data.

This comprehensive guide contains various statistics on new vehicle sales; Australia’s in-service fleet; the economic contribution of Dealerships; the sales performance of each Dealer network; taxation in the automotive industry; fuel trends of vehicles from 2019-2022 and results of electric vehicle research.

To access your essential summary of the past year in the automotive industry, download the AADA Automotive Statistics 2023 booklet.

DOWNLOAD AADA AUTOMOTIVE STATISTICS 2023

AADA Study Tour Report: 2023 NADA Show

Posted on 6th February, 202317th December, 2024 by Ashleigh Sykes

The AADA Study Tour to the 2023 National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Dallas Texas concluded last week with all delegates enjoying a business centric tour and the substantial program offered by NADA.

Our AADA Study Tour kicked off with a dealership tour of the 2019 NADA Chairman Charlie Gilchrist’s SouthWest Ford where Australian Dealers were given a personal tour of all operations. Our host Charlie Gilchrist made us very welcome and provided a Texan BBQ lunch with his entire management team.

Friday morning began with a private presentation by Glenn Mercer of his continuing NADA study titled “The Dealership of Tomorrow”. His presentation outlined the important role that Dealers play in the automotive relationship with consumers and the likelihood of disruption to the Dealer model.

The NADA Expo also opened on Friday and Dealers found an abundance of new technologies and solutions for their dealerships and participated in over 120 Dealer specific workshops that were on the schedule over the three days of the show.

The AADA Australia Party sponsored by Carsales.com.au and Pentana Solutions was held at Frankie’s Downtown where over 130 Australians came together to celebrate Australia Day.

The AADA Study Tour concluded with the AADA International Relations Dinner sponsored by Angle Finance and Cox Automotive, where Australian Dealers were joined by five former NADA Chairman and the NADA President Mike Stanton, together with international Dealer association representatives from across the world.

AADA is grateful for the support of our sponsors and NADA and looks forward to the 2024 NADA Show in Las Vegas next February.

Dates Announced for the 2023 AADA Convention & Expo!

Posted on 5th December, 20221st June, 2023 by Ashleigh Sykes

Save the dates – Wednesday 14 & Thursday 15 June 2023.

The Australian Automotive Dealer Association is pleased to announce that the 2023 AADA Convention & Expo will be held at the Sydney International Convention Centre, on Wednesday 14 & Thursday 15 June 2023.

Stay tuned for program and registration details in the New Year.