Car dealers look for more growth in 2017
Against a cooling global economic backdrop, BC’s new car dealers continue to report strong sales across the province, in fact, members of the New Car Dealers Association of BC (NCDA) generate $11 billion in retail sales in the province annually. As a major economic driver in across B.C., that’s good news for local economies. Programs such as CEV for BCTM and BC SCRAP-ITTM helped incent the move from older, higher polluting vehicles into electric alternatives and is fuelling the sector in 2016, which has seen British Columbian’s purchase more than 167,000 vehicles, as of October 2016. This represents a 6.1 per cent increase over 2015. The national average is 3.2% to date.
One of the key focus areas in the coming year for the 375 New Car Dealer members in B.C. will be continuing to attract a strong skilled workforce across all areas of their business. The auto industry directly provides more than 36,000 jobs for people across the province and experts forecast as many as 20,000 auto industry jobs will open up in the next decade. These jobs represent a wide spectrum of opportunities, from product advisers to financial services and accounting to highly skilled mechanical technician jobs.
While healthy vehicle sales speak to the strength of the region and provincial economies, it’s important to note that those sales are driven through strong manufacturer offerings as the major manufacturers continue to develop products that B.C. consumers want. Family vehicles, luxury brands and wellpriced commuter vehicles have all generated strong interest in our market. But we can also give credit to smart incentive programs such as the Clean Energy Vehicles for B.C. (CEV for BCTM) rebate, which cuts up to $5,000 off the pre-tax sticker price of qualifying new EVs, and the BC SCRAP-IT program both give consumers assistance and incentive to get out of older, high polluting vehicles into a new, efficient electric vehicle. It’s smart programs such as these that will support the consumer, and the sector, as we move into 2017.
NEW CAR DEALERS GIVING BACK
While selling cars is the name of the game, as an Association we recognize that it’s the local communities across the province we do business in that make our jobs possible and keep the auto industry booming. And in saying that, we make a conscious effort to give back whenever we can.
B.C. Children’s Hospital, Canadian and B.C. Cancer Societies, SPCA, Salvation Army, United Way, Alzheimer’s Association, Rotary International, food banks and Heart and Stroke Foundation are just some of the many charities our dealers work with. They support local schools, police forces, fire departments, church groups, educational initiatives, and sporting teams of every kind, to name a few
Our member dealers have also contributed to our long-standing relationship with Special Olympics BC. Over the 32 years we’ve been working with this amazing organization, dealers have provided vehicles and volunteers, promoted awareness, and helped raise millions of dollars in support of athletes and events.
In short, New Car Dealers do much more than provide you with a new ride.
From advocating for accessible and eco-friendly vehicle options, to contributing to worthy causes, our members are committed to providing excellent customer service and have community top of mind.