Dear Friends,

At the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), our commitment extends beyond the mere transaction of vehicles. We're dedicated to holistically uplifting the automotive dealer community, ensuring that every entrepreneur under our umbrella is equipped with contemporary tools, knowledge and strategies to thrive amidst an evolving landscape.

Recent Initiatives & Achievements
In one of our most noteworthy collaborations, the FADA Academy joined forces with NMIMS, Mumbai, to inaugurate a six-month executive program in July '23. Designed for our GenX members, this initiative led by Mr. Vinkesh Gulati, Chairman of FADA Academy offers a suite of five meticulously crafted modules to forge industry leaders for tomorrow's challenges.

In parallel, our dive into the digital world has been both thrilling and promising. Our engagements with Google have set the stage for harnessing digital platforms, enhancing the auto retail community's reach and resonance. As we always emphasize, adaptability is key, and this foray promises to position us advantageously in a rapidly digitizing world. We will soon be sharing more news on our developments with Google.

Our commitment to knowledge sharing was further amplified this month with an array of study programs, the enlightening Coimbatore expedition under Women in FADA (WIF) led by Mrs Garima Misra, Chairperson WIF. This study tour witnessed an all women led VW Dealership by the name Ramani Volkswagen. The group also visited Anaamalais Toyota, where they were taken through the complete Sales & Service, HR, Inductions, Spare management process of the dealership. During the month, FADA also organized a webinar on Sustainable handling of used oil done in association with Rosefield Tech. These engagements not only foster a robust sense of community but also instill shared values and vision, enabling us to face industry challenges collectively.

Our Vice President, Mr. C S Vigneshwar was a guest speaker at the recently concluded CII Trichy Talk on Auto Dealerships. The discussions evolved around Auto Dealerships and their role in skilling, sustainable economic growth and last mile customer connectivity in the journey of the Indian Automobile Industry.

On the advocacy front, our undeterred pursuit for the realization of the Auto Dealers Protection Act (ADPA) found us in significant conversations with prominent government figures, such as Shri Rohit Yadav, Joint Secretary, PMO and Shri Bhupender Yadav, Union Cabinet Minister of Labour & Employment, Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

In our continued efforts to champion the cause of the auto retail sector, I had the privilege of meeting with Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways. We not only had the honor of inviting him as the Chief Guest for FADA's 5th Auto Retail Conclave but also presented our concerns regarding the struggling entry-level 2-wheeler segment. Despite the adversities posed by the pandemic, this segment has yet to show signs of recovery, with the downturn persisting at an alarming rate of around -20%. I earnestly sought his intervention in advocating for a GST reduction in this category with the Finance Ministry and the GST Council. Our hope is that such a move will provide the necessary respite and rejuvenate this vital segment of the automobile industry, enabling it to find its footing once again. Beyond policy deliberations, our commitment to the environment remains steadfast, with our initiatives underscoring the imperative of sustainable practices in our industry.

Highlighting our grassroots-centric approach is the Annual Dealer Satisfaction Study 2023, an exercise reflecting our earnest endeavors to understand and action dealer perspectives. In case if you have still not participated for all your brands, pls do so as the last date for participation is 25th August’23. As we gather insights locally, we're also gearing up for a grand congregation at the 5th Auto Retail Conclave on September 14 at Le Meridien, Delhi and championing sustainability with our Plantation Drive on the forthcoming Auto Dealers Day.

We are pleased to announce FADA’s 59th Annual General Meeting, co-located with the 5th Auto Retail Conclave, scheduled for 14th September at Le Meridien, New Delhi. In addition to the esteemed DSS’23 awards presentation, we will be honoring dealerships that have reached the remarkable milestone of over half a century in operation with the Golden Dealership Award. I cordially invite you to register and attend this comprehensive event, where pivotal discussions with leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), esteemed bankers, prominent insurance companies, and other vital industry stakeholders await your participation.

The NADA Convention 2024 Opportunity
The horizon brings forth the NADA Convention 2024 in Las Vegas from February 1-4. Beyond its global stature, this convention is a beacon of forward-thinking for auto retail enthusiasts. From gleaning insights that give us a peek into the industry's future to tapping into a reservoir of workshops and sessions, the convention is a treasure trove of knowledge. Add to this the allure of international networking and we have a melting pot of opportunities that promise to reshape our industry perspectives.

If the NADA Convention 2024 intrigues you and you possess a valid US Visa, I cannot emphasize enough the significance of your participation. Reach out to us at [email protected] for registration and related support.

In conclusion, I cherish the trust, encouragement and active participation each one of you bestows upon us. With shared vision and relentless determination, our future is rife with promise and potential.

Warm regards,

Manish Raj Singhania
President, FADA