June 23, 2025

VADA Live is the official podcast platform powered by the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association. Our goal is to bring Virginia dealers and their teams relevant insights, education and training on a range of retail automotive topics — directly from the experts. It’s information (and some entertainment) on your own time. See the latest episodes at vada.com/live.

Automotive News recently published a guest commentary by VADA President and CEO Don Hall on the California New Car Dealers Association’s cease-and-desist letter to American Honda and Sony Honda Mobility of America’s joint venture Afeela. CNCDA demands the manufacturer immediately halt direct sales to consumers.

In late April, members of the VADA Executive Committee took time out of their busy schedules to meet VADA staff in Richmond to help us chart the road forward for VADA. While there, we were honored to host the Virginia gubernatorial candidate, Abigail Spanberger, House Speaker Don Scott, and the 86th District candidate, Virgil Thornton Sr. (himself a retail automotive leader).

For the first time in many years, Virginia has completed a comprehensive overhaul of the Buyer’s Order form. The move is designed to provide greater protections for dealers, improve clarity for consumers, and address modern compliance standards. The new forms — including an optional Lease Buyer’s Order — were issued starting May 1, with no hard deadline for implementation.

Maybe we just need to get our heads around the idea that all times these days are “unprecedented.” I’m tired of tariff talk if I’m being honest. The news shifts so often that the details and the question of impact are hard to follow. We’re well aware that tariffs will drive up prices and make