The CERTIFIED MASTER DEALER® program was developed in 2001, in collaboration with Northwood University, to help dealers manage and grow their businesses. Since then, it has grown into one of the industry's most respected training programs. Dealers who attend this training are committed to the industry, support ethical business standards and practices, and are leaders in their communities. They bring a wide range of experience to each class, and leave with new strategies for analyzing their business practices and increasing their bottom line. Instruction is provided by Joe Lescota, NIADA Director of Dealer Development and former retail automotive executive with more than 25 years of frontline dealership, selling management and training experience.
"I wasn't sure what to expect from the class because after being in this business for over 10 years, I began to fool myself into thinking that as President and CEO I already knew everything about the car business. Boy, was I wrong!"- Michelle Groover, Members Auto Choice (Lawrenceville, GA)
For more information about dates, locations, or the application process, contact us today!
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
1.
Only a State-licensed dealer principal operating as a proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or limited liability company in the business of retailing (sale and/or leasing motor vehicles (passenger cars and/or trucks) may submit an Application for Certification Candidacy. Dealer principal shall also mean a partner and/or officer of
2.
Dealer must be an NIADA member in good standing.
3.
Dealer must maintain an Established Place of Business, which meets, at a minimum, all of the following criteria:
a. Approved/licensed location as an automobile dealership by their state and/or local unit of government.
b. Continuously occupied on a regular basis by the dealer
c. Business books and records kept at the Established Place of Business
d. A majority of the business transacted at the Established Place of Business
e. Vehicle inventory kept at the Established Place of Business
4.
The dealer must post and maintain regular business hours consistent with state regulations.
5.
Maintain an inventory of not less than 50 passenger cars and/or trucks (units).
6.
Sell at retail or lease a combined minimum of 240 units per year, or have annual dealership gross sales equal to at least $1,000,000.00. (Total gross sales may include service department/body shop.)
7.
Applicant must have minimum of five years of automobile retail experience as a dealer principal under the same dealer license and under the same dealership name.
8.
Applicant must submit dealership financial statements along with a minimum of three references (lenders, accountants, business associates, etc.).
9.
Dealership Associates (employees) may apply to receive training. Applicant must be currently employed by a CMD® designated principal or a dealer principal that has been approved as a CMD® candidate for training. Associate applicants will be required to attend classroom training and pass all required examinations; however, upon completion, they will only receive a Certificate of Completion and not the actual CMD® designation.
10.
CMD® designation and seal are awarded to an individual dealer principal in recognition of the qualifications and personal achievements of that dealer principal. The award is not granted to the dealer's business entity, and is therefore non-transferrable.
11.
CMD® designation and use of the CMD® seal are awarded for a term/period of 36 months from the original award date. Each CMD® graduate must obtain a minimum of 12 credit hours of NIADA-approved continuing education during each 36 month period to retain the designation. At least 12 hours of continuing education opportunities will be offered throughout the year.
12.
CMD® designation and seal remain the property of NIADA. The CMD® designation may be revoked by NIADA upon the dealer principal being convicted of a felony or in a case of dealer license being revoked by the appropriate State agency. CMD® designation may also be revoked if answers to any questions on the dealer application have been misrepresented.
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