Pub. 1 2023 Issue 3

Waters Group, a Mississippi-based International Truck, an IC Bus dealer group and longtime Mississippi Automobile Dealers Association member, has received the 2022 North American Truck Dealer of the Year for their commitment to providing industry-leading uptime and performance in annual sales, service and customer satisfaction. They currently operate six locations and employ more than 300 […]

The Versant Group is an F&I provider that stands out from the competition. They offer a full suite of products such as vehicle service contracts, GAP, Tire & Wheel, Ceramic coatings, GPS, etc. However, the cornerstone of their business is the commitment to training and income development that they provide for their dealers. What also

A statewide independent business group, the Business and Industry Political Education Committee (BIPEC), has included car dealer legislation (HB 401) in their 2023 legislator scorecard. BIPEC was founded by Mississippi’s business and professional leaders to supply needed political research information. The organization’s annual performance evaluation is a measuring stick used to determine each legislator’s business philosophy,

The MADA membership has re-elected Michael Joe Cannon for his third term as the Mississippi NADA Director. The new term begins in conjunction with the NADA annual convention to be held in February 2024 in Las Vegas. Michael Joe is the owner of Cannon Motors of Mississippi. The former college football coach started in the

MADA won big in the primary elections, backing candidates for statewide office and the legislature. Among the winners were MADA-endorsed candidates Governor Tate Reeves and Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann. Tate Reeves easily won his primary race with 75% of the vote. As expected, the Lieutenant Governor’s race was the statewide contest drawing the most attention.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Kirk Auto Company. With 15 locations serving the Grenada, MS, area, they are celebrating their years of success with a little help from the community in the “Through the Decades Classic Car Competition.” Anyone who has purchased a car from Kirk Auto is encouraged to bring it in

Manufacturers’ Ownership of Dealerships Beginning July 1, 2023, HB 401 states that manufacturers cannot apply for a dealership license at the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission. Why Is This Important to Dealers? Without this law, any automobile manufacturer (Ford, GM, CDJR, etc.) could form an LLC with the Secretary of State and apply for a dealer’s license.

MADA hosted an appreciation luncheon for Governor Tate Reeves in Jackson. Dealers from across the state took the opportunity to personally thank the Governor for his support of issues that are important to the franchised automobile dealers. The highly successful event raised $62,500 for Governor Reeves. $20,000 was contributed from the MADA Auto PAC, and