{"id":3907,"date":"2017-02-10T14:46:04","date_gmt":"2017-02-10T20:46:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.houstoncardealers.com\/?p=3907"},"modified":"2017-02-10T14:46:04","modified_gmt":"2017-02-10T20:46:04","slug":"new-hada-chairman-steven-wolf-takes-the-reins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.houstoncardealers.com\/new-hada-chairman-steven-wolf-takes-the-reins\/","title":{"rendered":"New HADA Chairman Steven Wolf Takes the Reins"},"content":{"rendered":"

New HADA Chairman Steven Wolf Sees\u00a0<\/strong>Rebound for Houston Economy, 2017 Auto Sales<\/strong><\/p>\n

Auto sales to get boost from Houston\u2019s biggest, best ever auto show in April.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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HOUSTON (February 7, 2017)\u00a0\u2013 After a six year run of record auto sales, the slowdown in Houston\u2019s economy resulted in slower auto sales last year. But, Steven Wolf, the newly elected Chairman of the Houston Automobile Dealers Association (HADA), sees that more as a \u201cbump in the road\u201d and he is confident that the local economy and auto sales are due for a rebound in 2017.<\/p>\n

\"\"\u201cWith the new emphasis on energy independence by the new administration and prices stabilizing, I\u2019m optimistic that\u00a0Houston\u2019s energy sector is due for a rebound,\u201d says Wolf, dealer principal of Helfman Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram and Helfman Fiat Alfa Romeo Maserati in Houston.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat, plus real estate values coming back and a number of other improving economic indicators, should have a positive impact in our showrooms,\u201d he adds. \u201cWe also have growing consumer confidence, manufacturer incentives and continued low interest rates along with good credit availability, adding to the positivity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Houston area\u00a0total new vehicle sales stumbled last year after a continuous climb from a great recession low of 218,710 sales in 2009 to record high of 376,481 units in 2015. However in 2016, total Houston area sales finished the year at 299,461 units, a decline of 20.5% from 2015.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, dealers must be more cautious in watching their expenses and inventories but, even in a rough economy, if you have good people and good product you will still do well,\u201d says Wolf. \u201cExperience tells me people buy cars in any economy because they want the latest and greatest models and new technology. They just see something they like and they act on it.\u00a0 It\u2019s a matter of chemistry and timing. You will see a lot of that at the upcoming Houston Auto Show.<\/p>\n

Rescheduled to April 5-9 to make way for the Super Bowl, this year\u2019s HADA-sponsored Houston Auto Show \u201cwill be a monster thanks to the addition of the Mecum Auto Auction,\u201d Wolf points out. \u00a0Houston will be the first venue in which Mecum has run with a major auto show. The Auto Show will be held as usual in NRG Center, with Mecum moving to the NRG Arena, where transportation will be provided connecting the two events.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith Mecum Auctions running side-by-side and 700,000 square feet of exhibit space in the Center and another 100,000 square feet in the lobby filled with latest models and technology, plus expanded test drives, I can honestly say we expect to capture the attention of the automotive world. And this is just the latest development in a plan to make Houston \u201cThe Auto Show of the South.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for his role as HADA Chairman, Wolf says he will continue to support and promote the efforts of all HADA\u2019s franchised new car and truck dealer members. HADA is already taking a very active role at the current legislative session in Austin, where our number one priority will be protecting the franchise system against ongoing attempts to skirt the system and sell direct to consumers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will stress to lawmakers the major economic impact \u2013 jobs, revenue, taxes, etc. \u2013 that franchised dealers make to their communities, as well as the many ways we support our communities through charitable acts and funding of hospitals, schools and community groups and projects of all kinds. That, in fact, is a hallmark of HADA.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to the Auto Show, HADA continues to support and promote the following community-oriented programs:<\/p>\n