Time - USA (2019-12-23)

AMERICA’S AUTO DEALERS: GIVING BACK, MOVING FORWARD

CONTENT FROM ALLY

Their success and momentum

Whether we realize it or not, automobile dealers are everyday
heroes of their communities. They help drive the US economy
from all angles. They are a major engine of job creation, employ
millions of people, and account for billions in taxes that fund
roads, schools, hospitals, and health insurance. But the real
story goes much deeper.

Beyond being a major engine of the US economy, they’re
also one of the greatest sources of corporate social good in
the country. They give millions of dollars to local causes, launch
charities, host fundraisers at their dealerships, and improve
their communities through outreach by supporting individuals

and other charitable organizations.

Who benefits

One example of dealers’ generosity and community-
mindedness is the support they provide employees in times
of crisis. To date, auto dealerships have raised $3 million in the
past 3 years for the National Automobile Dealers Association
(NADA) emergency relief fund. This fund supports car and
truck dealership employees who have been impacted by
natural disasters, including hurricanes Florence and Michael,
the California wildfi res and Texas fl oods. With community
help, employees can get back to their day-to-day lives before
insurance providers can step in — and sometimes even before
ATMs are up and running.

This kind of generosity and community focus may be
exceptional, but it’s not the exception. Auto dealers give
back every day in countless ways, whether volunteering
their time, helping raise money for charity, or hosting service
events at their dealerships. To recognize the countless ways
auto dealers impact those around them, TIME has awarded
its coveted Dealer of the Year award for over fi ve decades.

Dealer of the Year

Being named the TIME Dealer of the Year is one of the most prestigious honors bestowed upon any individual in the
industry. Last year’s winner, for example, was John Alfi revich, who contributed more than $3 million to 100 charities
across his Chicago area hometown in 2018 alone.

It is only fi tting, then, that Ally Financial funds a grant for the dealers to donate to a cause of their choice each year
as part of their award. 2016 Dealer of the Year Kitty Van Bortel chose to donate her $11,000 grant from the award to
her local Breast Care Coalition as the recipient of the fund, a cause she cares deeply about as a nine-year survivor of
breast cancer herself.

1.14 MILLION

$3 MILLION

$88.8 BILLION

$72,

$66.6 BILLION

workers employed by the

nation’s car dealerships*

raised by NADA for

emergency relief fund*

sales taxes paid to state

and local governments*

average employee

annual earnings

in payroll*

*National Automobile Dealers Association data, 2018

Many dealers like Kitty approach corporate impact very personally.

They are driven by a passion to be successful in their businesses,

and that success is refl ected in their passion to promote greater

good in their communities and for the causes they care about. In

recognizing this passion to do good, TIME celebrates what’s great

about the industry — the 2020 Dealer of the Year nominees.

Photo courtesy of Ron Bland