NADA Chairman Emphasizes Frontline Role of Auto Dealers During Recalls

Tonkin: Toyota dealers are working overtime to fix recalled vehicles

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With congressional hearings on the Toyota recall underway, about 100 Toyota executives, manufacturing employees and dealers from around the country arrived in the nation's capital to show their support for the automaker.

"We hope the hearings are fair and balanced and held with a view towards rectifying the problem and ensuring customer safety as the primary goal," says Ed Tonkin, chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA).

Members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee were trying to determine on Wednesday whether unintended acceleration on recalled Toyotas went beyond interfering floor mats and sticky gas pedals into engine electronics. Hearings began Tuesday in the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The next hearing is March 2 in the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

"It's important that members of Congress continue to hear directly from Toyota dealers so they recognize the many steps dealers are taking across America to get their customers' vehicles repaired and safely back on the road as quickly as possible," Tonkin added.

Tonkin, a multi-franchise dealer in Portland, Ore., says repairs at his Toyota dealership have been going smoothly.

"We're telling our customers that a fix has been developed that will allow them to drive their vehicles with confidence," he says. "Toyota has long had an image of quality."

"The gas pedal repair takes less than an hour, and customers are appreciative that we're working extra hard to get them back on the road again," he added. Tonkin says his new-vehicle inventory has also been fixed and is ready for sale again. "Dealers are working overtime to get the vehicles repaired," he says.

Tonkin says it's important to note that from time to time all brands have recalls affecting their product lineup. Most recalls, however, do not garner the kind of publicity that the recent Toyota recalls have, he says. 

"Recalls are something we live with in this industry and many others," Tonkin says. "This is obviously a high profile recall, but we're sure that Toyota will get past this and consumers will once again embrace the product."

"A strong national dealer network is crucial to quickly and efficiently handle safety recalls," he says.

NADA, founded in 1917 and based in McLean, Va., represents nearly 17,000 new-car and -truck dealers -- operating about 37,500 separate franchises, both domestic and international -- who sell new and used motor vehicles and engage in service, repair and parts sales.

SOURCE National Automobile Dealers Association