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The long road to owning an auto dealership - May 23, 2009
New president of TADA takes on responsibility for the Wheels column, starting here and now
I'm the new president of the Toronto Automobile Dealers Association.
For the next 12 months, I have the privilege and honour of serving the 340 new-car dealers in the GTA. There is no shortage of issues confronting our industry, and I look forward to addressing them with clarity and conviction.
I also have the great privilege of writing this weekly column for Wheels, in Canada's largest circulation daily newspaper. My goal is to keep readers informed and engaged about timely issues related to our industry.
My background in the retail car industry dates back to 1971. That's when I took a job selling cars at Simpson Motors, a dealership in Toronto.
The first car that I sold was a new Ford Mustang. I found that experience exhilarating. I discovered that I truly enjoyed selling cars – meeting new customers, presenting them with options, delivering the vehicles, etc.
A year later, I moved onto Evans Lincoln Mercury, where I sold cars for three years, before accepting a position at a dealership in Leamington.
That's where I learned the management side of the business: ordering vehicles from the manufacturer, processing cars for sale, conducting dealer trades, etc.
In 1978, I moved back to Toronto and took a sales position at Whiteoak Ford, in Mississauga.
Over the next 18 years, I worked in sales and management at Whiteoak, gaining valuable experience and learning the ins and outs of the business.
In 1996, I had the opportunity to purchase Whiteoak Ford with a partner (David McQuilkin), and I learned a new side of the business.
Moving from employee to owner required a different set of skills, along with a large measure of stamina, commitment (emotional and financial), and a few sleepless nights!
We outgrew our premises at Dundas St. W. and, in 2001, we embarked on a new chapter of the business, when we moved into a new 28,000-square-foot facility on Mavis Rd.
That involved a substantial financial undertaking for my partner and me, and it allowed us to better serve our customers.
Our new dealership was the first to include Ford's new Millennium design standards, including a separate entrance and showroom for the Lincoln brand (plus separate signage and an upscale customer lounge).
As a dealer principal, I've learned the importance of attracting and maintaining good people.
If our employees are happy and fulfilled at work, then it will reflect in how they interact and deal with customers.
In fact, I'm very proud of our low turnover rates.
I've always pursued a customer-friendly philosophy at our dealership.
This approach has enabled us to grow and to meet our commitments.
Throughout my career, many people have helped to support and encourage me, including countless friends, colleagues, customers and family members. My wife, Judy, has always given me tremendous support and encouragement for the past 35 years.
My two sons, Michael and Corey, both work at the dealership and are involved in the day-to-day operations.
The car industry is changing all the time, and this column is meant to provide readers with an insider's view from a dealer perspective.
I look forward to bringing 38 years of automotive retail experience to bear in writing these weekly columns.
Of course, if you want to respond to something I've written, please send me an email.
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