A Special Message From Your 2024 IADA Chairman, John Alfirevich - Always Protecting the Franchise Dealer Model

IADA Loses A Great Friend - Joseph Alfirevich, Apple Chevrolet

Joseph P Alfirevich of Homer Glen, was born on January 5, 1934, and passed away peacefully on February 10, at the age of 90.  Joe was bigger than life with a personality that filled a room. Affectionately known throughout his life as “Alfee,” he was the long-time owner of Apple Chevrolet in Tinley Park. 

As Alfee's dealership business grew, so did his responsibilities to the auto industry he loved. He served on the board of directors for the Chicagoland and NW Indiana Chevrolet Dealers Association from 1985 to 1998 where he was also elected vice president of the group’s advertising association (LMA). Additionally, he was a dedicated board member of the Illinois Automobile Dealers Association from 1989 to 2013, serving as the organization’s Chairman in 1997.

Alfee was a great friend to IADA, and he will be greatly missed.  We do feel some sense of comfort knowing that he is going to join his beautiful wife, Mary, who departed only a few weeks earlier.  He left behind the legacy of a wonderful family, and we are blessed to work with his son, John, as our current IADA Chairman.

Read Joe's full obituary here.

IADA-Your Advocate for the Franchised Dealer Model

Show ponies like Tesla Motors, Rivian Automotive, and Lucid Motors bypass the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code and the Illinois Motor Vehicle Franchise Act to sell their vehicles directly to consumers. There are literally hundreds of new manufacturers in China and all over the globe trying to work their way into the U.S. market with a direct sale model.  Through it all, IADA is your workhorse defending hard-earned rights under Illinois law.  IADA welcomes the prospect of new manufacturers with innovative products entering the market.  However, it is important that all motor vehicle manufacturers use franchised dealers, with the inherent benefits that a franchised dealer model provides to the public at large.

Almost 30 years ago, IADA sponsored legislation to create the Illinois Motor Vehicle Review Board, which is the administrative body that presides over disputes arising under the Illinois Motor Vehicle Franchise Act.  Creating the Motor Vehicle Review Board has provided dealers with a fair, cost-effective forum for resolving Motor Vehicle Franchise Act disputes. 

Over the past 3 decades, the Board has reviewed a host of Franchise Act provisions, including warranty reimbursement, termination, and relocation disputes. 

In addition to the creation of the Motor Vehicle Review Board, dealer support of IADA and IADA programs like CVR, Ethos, and Federated has enabled IADA to support the franchised dealer system in a host of other ways. 

Read more about pending court cases

As you can see, IADA is laser-focused on maintaining the franchise system for the mutual benefit of manufacturers, dealers, and consumers.  Your support of IADA over the past 104 years has helped us to pass the Franchise Act, Vehicle Code, and Sales Tax legislation and has helped us step in when dealer rights need to be litigated.  We will never take your support of IADA for granted, and we will always defend the franchise model.

Legislative Session In Full Swing As IADA Is There Every Day To Defend The Franchise Model

As the 2024 Legislative Session advances past its bill filing deadline on February 9th, the legislative landscape is set, with more than 9,400 bills awaiting consideration. The upcoming Governor’s Budget Address and March 19th-Primary Election are pivotal for setting legislative directions for the remainder of the year.

Amid this busy legislative season, the Illinois Automobile Dealers Association (IADA) successfully averted the introduction of legislation in 2024 that would challenge the Warranty Reimbursement Law passed in 2021. Through effective advocacy, IADA persuaded the 2023 bill's sponsor against reintroducing the bill, highlighting our commitment to protecting dealer interests and underscoring the strength of our collective efforts.

With the continued support of our members, IADA remains vigilant on critical issues and is well-positioned to represent the interests of dealers effectively, ensuring that our voices are heard on a wide variety of important issues before the Illinois legislature.

Click HERE for a link to our full 2024 Legislative Report.

IRS Extends Reporting Deadline for 2023 EV Seller Reports

The IRS recently announced that it has extended the deadline for dealers to report EV sales made in 2023.  Sellers reports are now due by February 15, 2024.  Additional information from IRS can be found below:

Report 2023 Information to the IRS
Rev. Proc. 2022-42, Section 6.03 provides that sellers must file reports within fifteen days after the end of the calendar year (i.e., January 15, 2024).  The IRS has extended the due date sellers have to provide these reports until February 15, 2024.  As a result, for vehicles placed in service in calendar year 2023, you must submit required information about a qualifying clean vehicle sale to the IRS by February 15, 2024. (Read more)

Katie Hopkins of Truck Centers, Inc. Selected as 2024 Truck Dealer of the Year

Katie Hopkins, president and CEO of Truck Centers, Inc. based in Troy, Ill., was named the 2024 Truck Dealer of the Year today at the ATD Show 2024 in Las Vegas. The national award, sponsored by American Truck Dealers (ATD), Trucks, Parts, Service and Procede Software, recognizes commercial-truck dealers for business performance, industry leadership and service to their community.

“The TCI team and this industry are filled with hard-working, talented people who keep America's supply chain moving,” said Hopkins.  “I am honored to be a small part of that. On behalf of everyone at Truck Centers, Inc., thank you for this tremendous honor.”  Katie's brother, Justin, is also an active and dedicated member of our IADA board.

Hopkins is the third-generation leader of Truck Centers, Inc., which was founded by her grandfather in 1970 and led by her father for 48 years before Hopkins took the reins. She takes pride in her business’ exceptional customer service, executed by a team empowered to go above and beyond, which results from heavy company investment in employee training. (Read more)

Maximize The Use Of Your Existing Resources - Check Out Ethos Group

Ethos Group partners with dealers to promote an ethical, customer-focused approach to the sale, financing, and servicing of automobiles.  You may think you’re doing it all right, but give them a chance to introduce themselves, and you may learn there’s a lot more you could be earning. 

For more information, contact Lance Graves - lgraves@ethosgroup.com or call him at (402) 960-0538. 

Check out this week's Ethos “Two Minute Tune-Up” feature - Multitasking.  We hope you enjoy the short messages.