GNYADA’s Mark Schienberg reviews the highs and lows NY dealers experienced during COVID-19

Today on CBT News, Mark Schienberg, President of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, joins the show to discuss a recent audit report released by the association. The audit covers the economic impact that new car dealers have on the regional economy.

Schienberg begins the conversation by reviewing the year that it has been. He says that it was a year that no one could have predicted. It was a challenging year in New York as many dealers faced the challenge of navigating strict lockdowns. Schienberg says there have been highs and lows as the state got a hold of the outbreak fairly quickly compared to the rest of the country. However much like other regions in the country, New York has seen a recent spike in new cases that have brought new restrictions. 

Schienberg says that sales for dealers did go up as many New Yorkers abandoned mass transportation. As the virus spread, many commuters found safety in buying their own vehicle. This brought many first-time car buyers to the market, helping both used and new car markets grow tremendously in the state. 

Schienberg then dives into the study released by the association on how new car dealers have impacted the economy. Metro New York is a very strong area for both manufacturer and dealer sales. He says that the impact of community dealers on the job market has a major footprint in the region. 

Schienberg concludes the conversation by discussing the potential of growth for EVs in the state of New York. He says that he hopes the state government doesn’t force EVs on consumers. However, he does see New York taking a similar approach to EVs as the state of California. He says there are good steps being taken to move towards EVs, however, he is concerned about the level of ambition that is dedicated to pushing an entirely electric car grid too fast.

Did you enjoy this interview with GNYADA’s Mark Schienberg? Please share your thoughts, comments, or questions regarding this topic with host Jim Fitzpatrick at jfitzpatrick@cbtnews.com.