| |
|
 |
| |
Canada Day and the Retail Car Industry
When I was thinking about writing this column, it occurred to me that I wanted to say something about Canada Day from a retail automotive perspective.
To put myself in the proper frame of mind, I stood in our new car showroom one night after everybody had gone home. Then I let my imagination go to work.
As an immigrant to Canada, I have an interesting perspective on how this country has developed over the past 30 years. I have seen Canada grow from a relatively small and timid country into one of the most prosperous and respected nations on earth. The retail automotive industry has played a key role in that maturity.
How? The retail automotive sector has created employment for hundreds of thousands of Canadians over the decades. Today, Canada is the seventh-largest producer of automobiles in the world, our retail stores are world-leaders in terms of styling and design, and our customer service is second to none. However you measure it, Canada?s automotive industry is world-class in every respect, and that?s worth celebrating.
Whether it?s the large numbers of people who are employed within our sector, or the millions of car owners who depend on their vehicles to get around, the industry has been a crucial part of Canada?s economic prosperity.
The more I thought about Canada Day and the retail car sector, the more I began to realize how important our industry has been in uniting peoples from coast to coast. For almost a century, cars have been an essential component in linking families, friends, colleagues and strangers across this vast divide, and I believe that the retail car industry contributes immensely to the unity and cohesion of Canada.
You could make an argument that trains, telephones, TVs, the Internet and email have done much to unite Canadians. But, in my opinion, the automobile has been the largest single contributor to Canadian unity over the last 100 years. Think how paralyzed and isolated our lives would be without cars!
This thought struck home with me recently while I was driving along Highway 407. The traffic was bumper to bumper and moving slowly, and I even had to pay for the privilege because 407 is a toll highway. This traffic jam, however inconvenient, was a testament to our ongoing dependence on automobiles to get us to where we?re going. People endure traffic jams because, ultimately, cars allow us a powerful form of mobility and freedom.
Upon further reflection, I realized that other things besides automobiles have contributed to Canada?s greatness on the world stage. For one thing, the ethnic diversity of Canada has helped to fuel much of this country?s growth, innovation and entrepreneurial drive. The immigrant experience in Canada is defined by hard work, resourcefulness, commitment to family and building for the future.
Our regional diversity is another one of Canada?s strengths. From Vancouver to Newfoundland, Canada is a country with a rich mixture of cultures and nationalities that give the country its unique flavour. Each region has its own dialect and character, and each region contributes to the wealth of cultures that make up our great country.
I couldn?t write a column about Canada Day without acknowledging the tremendous efforts of the men and women in the retail car sector who work extremely hard every day trying to please and satisfy our customers. My hat is off to them.
Car manufacturers deserve special mention as well as they continue to raise the bar in terms of styling, technology and design. Our auto assembly plants produce 400,000-plus cars and trucks for the Canadian and North American markets, and they consistently earn top ranking for quality and efficiency. In fact, the quality and selection of automobile brands produced in Canada is among the highest in the world.
I also want to thank the Canadian government for keeping Canada competitive on the world stage and for its continuous belief in individual freedoms, human rights and democratic principles.
I want to thank the banking and finance industries for supporting our industry and its consumers. Financial stability and creative financing have allowed average Canadians to enjoy their vehicles and the lifestyle to which they have become accustomed.
For all of the great things about Canada, there are things that concern me as well. Traffic congestion, air pollution, high gas prices, road accidents and high taxation are unpleasant issues to include in a discussion about Canada Day, but there is no denying that they exist.
I?m convinced that, eventually, these issues will get resolved in ways that benefit Canadians. We are resourceful people and we?ll continue to make decisions that are good for Canadians. With the right degree of political will and involvement from average Canadians, we can move mountains.
This Canada Day weekend, take a moment to reflect on why Canada is such a great country. As a nation, we have made a lot of progress in one generation, and I am convinced that our best years are yet to come.
Happy Canada Day, and drive safely.
***
Paul Stern is President of the Toronto Automobile Dealers Association and is a new-car dealer in Toronto. E-mail comments to president@tada.ca
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
 |
|
Home Page
