Global events challenge dealers
The impact of global events on dealerships will be put in the spotlight when industry members from Australia, New Zealand and further afield gather for the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) Convention and Expo next month.
A session titled “Global Challenges – Dealer Impact” is part of the programme for the annual event, which this year is being held at the International Convention Centre Sydney on July 29 and 30.
A panel of experts will discuss how international disruption, geopolitical risk, changing vehicle mix, EV growth, Chinese brands and policy pressures are affecting dealers.
Convention organisers say delegates attending the main stage talk on the opening day will get insight into understanding what is happening overseas and how that translates into local impacts.
For example, geopolitics is no longer considered a distant concern for the sector as it can affect supply chains, trade flows, technology access, brand positioning, economic security and strategic decisions being made by manufacturers worldwide.
The session will be moderated by James Voortman, AADA chief executive officer, and include other Australian industry leaders, Rob Cochran, National Automobile Dealers Association chairman, and Tony Weber, Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive.
Also set to appear on the panel is Michael Croxon, Canadian Automobile Dealers Association chairman, and Dr Merriden Varrall, chief executive of vantage geopol, an independent advisory providing geopolitical analysis and strategic insight for senior leaders.
Voortman, pictured at last year’s event, says you only have to go back about five years and dealers probably weren’t as focused on geopolitics as they are today.
“Vehicles just used to arrive and we’d sell them but I think since Covid we have realised how far away from the start of the supply chain we are and it doesn’t take much to upset that balance,” he explains.
“As businesses, it’s important we have that geopolitical element on our risk registers. We can’t control a lot of it, but it’s important to discuss strategies to try to minimise any risks that accrue from events elsewhere.”
He adds that bringing people together from different markets provides a good opportunity to share intelligence, especially as dealers are franchised to the same multinational companies.
For more details and the full programme of presentations, discussions and workshops being held during the two days of AADA 2026, click here.
Mates’ rates for Kiwis
The annual event attracts about 1,000 people and brings together franchised new-car dealers, industry suppliers, automotive leaders and retail experts. It also includes an expo featuring more than 65 exhibitors.
AADA has confirmed New Zealand dealers attending this year’s convention will pay the same registration prices as its dealer members, with the special rates applied automatically.
Another benefit for delegates is that all 2026 content will be accessible on demand at their dealerships for three months after the event.
To register for AADA 2026, visit: aadaconvention.com.au/register-for-aada-2026
Convention calling
To find out more about AADA 2026, check out the June issue of Autofile magazine
