National Independent Automobile Dealers Association
Serving Quality Independent Automobile Dealers Since 1946
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ABOUT NIADA

The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA), founded in 1946 has represented quality independent automobile dealers for over 70 years. NIADA is here to assist its members in becoming more successful within the used motor vehicle industry. Through membership in NIADA, you join with over 20,000 other professional auto dealers who share your dream of financial prosperity for your business. NIADA is your legislative advocate -- protecting your business interests. The association consistently brings you industry education, valuable information, services and benefits designed to prepare members for an ever-changing marketplace. The simple and better way to keep pace in the used motor vehicle industry is to join NIADA...a highly respected organization dedicated to your success!

 

CODE OF ETHICS
  • We will have a general duty of integrity, honor and fair dealing toward the general public.
  • We will comply with all city, county, state and federal laws and shall endeavor to keep ourselves informed of those laws governing our business.
  • We will not intentionally injure the business reputation of another member or competitor.
  • We will employ truth and accuracy in advertising and selling.
  • We will stand behind any guarantee given with the sale of a motor vehicle.
  • We will not perform any act which would bring disrepute to the motor vehicle industry.
  • We will expose or halt, where found, any scheme designed to deceive or defraud the automobile buying public and aid in prosecuting those guilty of such acts.
  • We will constantly strive to improve business methods to the end that the public will be better served.
  • We will encourage the American system of free enterprise.
 

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association, the only national not-for-profit organization representing the independent motor vehicle industry, is to promote, educate and advance the independent motor vehicle dealer by:

  • Accumulating, processing and disseminating information relative to the motor vehicle industry;
  • Developing, compiling and providing to the consumer, information which will promote a better understanding of the independent motor vehicle dealers' place in the economy;
  • Providing relevant information to regulatory and lawmaking bodies so that they may have a better understanding of the possible effects of proposed laws, rules and regulations on the consumer and the motor vehicle industry;
  • Assisting in the promotion and organization of local, state or regional independent motor vehicle dealer associations; and
  • Anticipating, recognizing and responding to current and future issues and needs of the independent motor vehicle industry and the consumer.
 

HISTORY OF NIADA

NIADA was founded in 1946 to lobby for the repeal of rationing of tires and automotive parts after World War II.  The efforts put forward by the organization under the leadership of founding President Charlie Hillard resulted in the successful repealing of those wartime restrictions by the end of 1947.

Year

NIADA HISTORY

WORLD HISTORY

1946
 National Used Car Dealers Association (NUCDA) is formed in Chicago, IL President Truman formally proclaims an end to all World War II hostilities.
1947
 NUCDA publishes a used car dealer "code of ethics." "Meet the Press" premieres on television.

1948

 National office is moved from Washington, DC to Detroit, MI Boxer Joe Louis defeats "Jersey Joe" Walcott to defend his title.
1949
 Industry sources report supply of used cars back on the rise. GM earns profit of $500,000 in first three quarters of the year.
1950
 For the first time, NUCDA convention features suppliers and vendors. Charles Schultz's "Peanuts" comic strip debuts.
1951
 NUCDA pushes for revision of the 15 month installment limit regulation. American officials announce that Seoul has been recaptured from Chinese and North Korean troops.
1952
 Car price tags that conform to OPS standards are made available by NUCDA to dealers. Yankees defeat Dodgers in World Series.
1953
 NUCDA boasts over 2,000 members. Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes the 34th president of the U.S.
1954
 NUCDA pushes for federal price controls to be eliminated and succeeds. Dr. Jonas Salk develops polio vaccine.
1955
 NUCDA becomes National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA). Bill Haley & the Comets song "Rock Around the Clock" hits #1 on the charts.
1956
 5 million used cars were sold this year. Russian Premier Niktita Khrushchev threatens Western diplomats, "We will bury you".
1957
 New car wholesale price books are made available to NIADA members for $8.75. American Motors introduces the nation's first compact car, the Rambler.
1958
 A campaign to counter the negative used car dealer image in the press is spearheaded by NIADA. Ford Thunderbird is unveiled at International Auto Show.
1959
 More state associations like Texas and Illinois begin forming and affiliating with NIADA. A new Cuban leader, Fidel Castro, pays a visit to the U.S.
1960
 Membership in NIADA costs $35.00. An American U-2 spy plane is downed over Russia.
1961
 NIADA Convention offers panel discussion meetings at Annual Convention. President Kennedy accepts responsibility for the failed Bay of Pigs invasion.
1962
 NIADA reports that "If handled properly" a small dealer should be able to earn between $12-$18,000 a year. Jackie Robinson is elected to Baseball Hall of Fame.
1963
 After an extensive search, NIADA endorses a new discount warranty company. Five digit Zip codes introduced by Post Office.
1964
 NIADA makes available to members the first ever group life insurance program. Ed Sullivan introduces America to The Beatles.
1965
 Lee Iacocca, then at Ford Motor Co., addresses NIADA convention. America converts from an advisory to a combat role in Vietnam.
1966
 NIADA president Phil Shupe speaks to a group of Chrysler executives on "how to sell used cars" at a conference. In California, Ronald Reagan defeats Edmund Brown in race for Governor.
1967
 NIADA convention registration fee is $35.00. Green Bay Packers defeat Kansas City Chiefs in the first Super Bowl.
1968
 NIADA hires public relations counsel to promote the industry. U.S. ends bombing of North Vietnam.
1969
 NIADA introduces and endorses garage liability insurance program. Astronaut Neil Armstrong sets foot on the moon.
1970
 NIADA officer begins writing a used car column for Automotive News. President Nixon signs Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA) into law.
1971
 NIADA supports the passage of a Federal Odometer Law. GM issues recalls for a record 6.7 million vehicles.
1972
 NIADA officials predict a strong economic year and that automobiles will continue to be the dominant means of transportation. Cigarette advertisements banned from airwaves.
1973
 NIADA Code of Ethics is revised and adopted by the board of directors. Arab oil embargo contributes to U.S. energy crisis.
1974
 NIADA ponders new headquarters location. Henry Aaron hits 715th home-run.
1975
 NIADA headquarters moves to Raleigh, NC. Automakers begin offering rebates to customers to stimulate sales.
1976
 NIADA's first National Quality Dealer award is given to Maryland dealer. A small computer company known as Apple is formed in California.
1977
 NIADA membership grows to almost 7,000. The Alaskan Pipeline is completed and foreign cars continue to grow in popularity.
1978
 NIADA Annual Convention draws record 648 attendees. President Carter announces anti-inflation plan.
1979
 NIADA members give $55,000 to combat the used car trade rule legislation. Nuclear disaster at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania.
1980
 NIADA develops the Eagle Award to recognize dealers' member recruitment efforts. U.S. Olympic team captures gold medal in Olympic games.
1981
 NIADA's Used Car Dealer magazine makes its debut. U.S. government loans Chrysler Corp. $400 million.
1982
 NIADA Conventions began pondering, "Does the used car dealer need a computer?" Antitrust suit ends AT&T monopoly.
1983
 NIADA completes a comprehensive dealer survey through Used Car Dealer Magazine. Automobile production is up by 10.2 percent.
1984
 NIADA responds to a "60 Minutes" piece on unscrupulous used car dealers. The summer Olympic games are held in Los Angeles.
1985
 National headquarters of NIADA moves to Irving, Texas. Montgomery Ward discontinues its mail-order business.
1986
 NIADA's support helps get Truth in Mileage Act of 1986 signed by president Reagan. U.S. bombs Libya in retaliation for terrorist attacks.
1987
 NIADA reports there are between 65,000 and 75,000 used car dealers in the United States. General Electric sells its $3 billion a year consumer electronics operation.
1988
 NIADA's Used Car Dealer magazine begins offering classified ad space. The catamaran Stars & Stripes defeats challenger New Zealand for America's Cup.
1989
 Dedication of the new NIADA headquarters building located in Arlington, Texas. Sony Corporation buys the stock of Columbia pictures for $3.4 billion.
1990
 NIADA estimates the average buyer purchases a car every 1600 days. McDonalds's opens its first restaurant in the U.S.S.R.
1991
 NIADA hires Washington, DC firm as official legal counsel of record. America's Operation Desert Storm frees Kuwait.
1992
 NIADA and Wynn Oil Company announce major discount program for members. Ford Motor Company posts $7.4 billion loss for the year.
1993
 NIADA reports trend of "one price" or "No haggle-pricing" is beginning to appear. Reggie Jackson is elected to baseball's Hall of Fame.
1994
 NIADA develops "Ring of Honor" Award. Murder of O.J. Simpson's estranged wife, Nicole, captures headlines.
1995
 NIADA is appointed to White House Conference on small business. Republicans "Contract with America" leads a move towards conservative politics.
1996
 NIADA celebrates its 50th anniversary. Over 12,000 members and growing. Popularity of sport utility vehicles (SUV's) continues to grow.
1997
 NIADA meets with IRS to revise tax codes. England's Princess Diana is killed in car crash in Paris.
1998
 NIADA/FTC publish new version of FTC Buyers Guide. Two U.S. Embassies in Africa are bombed by terrorists.
1999
 NIADA introduces first Used Car Market Report. U.S. District Court rules software giant Microsoft is a monopoly.
2000
 NIADA announces its Certified Master Dealer Program. National Presidential election rocked by vote count dispute in Florida.
2001
 NIADA holds its first Professional Development Conference for Dealers. Terrorists crash airline jets into World Trade Center and Pentagon.
2002
 NIADA adds members from Canada, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Snipers terrorize the Washington DC area and Winter Olympics are held in Salt Lake City.
2003
 NIADA membership reaches a level of nearly 18,000 members nationwide. President Bush aims his sights on Iraq. Saddam Hussein captured.
2004
 NIADA debuts it's own Television Network for dealers - NIADA.TV. Death of two world leaders; U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat.
2005
 NIADA Elects first Female President from within its 20,000 members. Hurricane Katrina devastates Gulf Coast Region.
2006
 NIADA forms the NIADA Foundation for Education and Scholarship purposes. Democrats take control of both Houses of Congress during the November elections.
2007
 NIADA debuts it's online Automotive Consumer Television Network for the buying public - AutoConsumer.TV. Boris Yeltsin, the first popularly-elected president of the Soviet Union, dies at age 76.
2008
 NIADA awards its first Auction of the Year Award to Manheim DFW in Texas. Amidst a severe recession, United States elects Barack Obama, the nation’s first president with African-American heritage
2009
 NIADA maintains strong membership amongst blount of world-wide recession. Chrysler, GM declare bankruptcy. Many banks fail.
2010
 NIADA began a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle program for its dealer members. Apple CEO, Steve Jobs revealed the iPad.
2011
 NIADA celebrates its 65th Anniversary; Publishing a pictorial history book complete with accompanying DVD. Osama Bin Laden tracked down by U.S. Troops in Pakistan and killed.
2012
 NIADA starts its own Dealer 20 Groups. Hurricane Sandy, the largest Atlantic hurricane on record, affects 24 eastern seaboard states.
2013
 NIADA travels to Washington D.C. for its National Leadership Conference and A Day on Capitol Hill. The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which has barred the recognition of same-sex marriages.
2014
 NIADA updates NIADA.TV website with mobile capability. A terror group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), took brutality to a new level.
2015
 NIADA acquires Leedom & Associates. First case of Ebola is certified in the United States.
2016
 NIADA's BHPH Dealer magazine publishes its inaugural issue. NFL Celebrates 50th Anniversary - Super Bowl XLIX.