Montana Auto Dealer Bill Underriner Takes The Helm At NADA

Highlights from 2012 NADA Chairman Bill Underriner's speech:

- "NADA is asking tough questions about this proposed [fuel economy] rule. And so far the government hasn't provided any answers. We want a full and fair public debate on the underlying assumptions of this rule. And we simply don't understand the rush."  

- "NADA has long supported fuel economy improvements. We want vehicles to be as efficient as possible. We are fighting for sound public policy. Not policy based on wishful thinking or happy talk or public opinion polls."

- "Our entire economy is based on freedom of mobility. Without a car, you are less likely to have a job. Without a car, your chances of moving up the economic ladder are cut short."

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In his first speech as chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), William P. Underriner said now is the right time to raise questions about the federal government's fuel economy proposal of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025, which threatens to price millions of Americans out of the market.

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"NADA is asking tough questions about this proposed rule. And so far the government hasn't provided any answers," said Underriner, a multi-franchise dealer from Billings, Mont. "We want a full and fair public debate on the underlying assumptions of this rule. And we simply don't understand the rush." Underriner took the helm of NADA today at its annual Convention and Expo in Las Vegas. The convention, which began Friday and ends today, is expected to draw nearly 23,000 total attendees."Let's not forget that new, aggressive fuel economy regulations went into effect just last year," Underriner added. "We need to see how the market responds to that first phase before rushing to the second phase."Underriner said NADA and its dealer members have been advocating on behalf of consumers for vehicle affordability since the association's birth in 1917, when 30 auto dealers traveled to Washington to convince Congress not to impose a luxury tax on automobiles.

"As they knew then and we all know now … automobiles are not a luxury," Underriner said. "They are a necessity of American life. "After 95 years, we are still fighting to keep the automobile affordable for the average American."