5/19/2021 NAAA SmartBrief

May 18, 2021

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NEWS & TRENDS

Study: , Acura, cheapest to maintain The Deepview True Cost Report, which ranks the quality of automotive brands and models by looking at service and warranty repair costs rather than relying on customer surveys, says Honda fared the best among nonpremium brands, with GMC at the bottom. Lexus and Acura tied for lowest cost among premium brands. Full Story: Forbes (tiered subscription model)

(Pixabay) (5/18)

Mecum Auctions accepting cryptocurrency Mecum Auctions now accepts nearly a dozen cryptocurrencies at its online and in-person auctions, collaborating with BitPay to facilitate transactions. "Mecum Auctions realizes the potential for crypto to revolutionize the collector car auction industry, making payments faster, more secure and less expensive on a global scale," said BitPay CEO

Stephen Pair. Full Story: Fox Business (5/17)

Amelia Island Concours event to feature 240 vehicles The 26th annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, which starts Friday, feature about 240 classic vehicles and "plenty of room for social distancing," says founder Bill Warner. The Florida event, delayed two months because of the pandemic, will honor racing pioneer Lyn St.

James. Full Story: The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville) (5/14)

St. James (Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)

Chip shortage hitting automakers in the pocketbook

NBC News (5/14)

Stellantis, Foxconn to partner on electric vehicles

Reuters (5/17)

Swedish EV company aims to challenge Tesla with style

Fast Company (tiered subscription model) (5/14)

Subaru will market all-electric SUV next year

Electronics360 (5/14)

TECHNOLOGY

Charging the Ford Mustang Mach-E The Ford Mustang Mach-E electric car can connect to FordPass charging stations, which can be activated through an app or the onboard infotainment system. Notably, Electrify America chargers in Ford's network support plug-and-

charge, which can charge a vehicle in minutes. Full Story: TechRepublic (5/13)

BUSINESS & SALES OPERATIONS https://www2.smartbrief.com/servlet/encodeServlet?issueid=6CF00533-D0AC-4E58-919D-2F1E512B4C23&sid=15cdd1a9-53c3-46d0-af32-c630cf7262ad 1/3 5/19/2021 NAAA SmartBrief

How middle managers can maximize their influence Middle managers are expected to have broad knowledge of the business, manage many forms of conflict and do so while staying calm, writes Scott Mautz, CEO of Profound Performance. Mautz outlines how managers can best

leverage their power vertically and horizontally within organizations. Full Story: Tanveer Naseer (5/12)

REGULATIONS & POLICY

How Biden plan would affect small-business taxes Small companies that file taxes as passthrough entities, such as limited liability companies and S corporations, would not face increases under President Joe Biden's infrastructure and jobs plan, which is opposed by trade groups including the US Chamber of Commerce. The plan would increase taxes for less than 3% of small-business owners -- those in the top

Biden (Pool/Getty Images) income tax bracket of at least $452,700 in annual income -- according to a White House

analysis. Full Story: Reuters (5/14)

Wash. governor vetoes bill to outlaw gas cars by 2030 Washington Gov. Jay Inslee vetoed a plan to outlaw gas cars by 2030 in the state over concerns about a road usage fee contained as an amendment to the bill. Inslee said, "Achieving a goal of 100% electric vehicles is too important

to tie to the implementation of a separate policy like the road usage charge." Full Story: Electrek (5/13)

OFF THE BLOCK

Record-setting "SledgeHammer" up for bids The 1988 Callaway Corvette Project SledgeHammer is up for bids on Bring a Trailer. The one-of-a-kind vehicle set a

road-car speed record in 1989 of 254.76 mph that stood for more than a decade. Full Story: Car and Driver (5/13)

NAAA NEWS

Mid Kansas Auto Auction is 100% Certified Congratulations to Mid Kansas Auto Auction for reaching 100% Safety Certified for 2021. Check to see if your auction is 100% Safety Certified. Need help achieving your Safety Certification goal? The NAAA is eager to assist, reach out to [email protected].

Multiple Commercial Consignor Award Winner: Rawls Auto Auction Rawls Auto Auction won SE Regional Auction of the Year from both GM Financial and Westlake Financial. At the same time, Consumer Portfolio Services awarded Rawls National Auction of the Year and awards for Highest National Sales Retention and Operational Excellence.

Victory is a thousand times sweeter when you're the underdog.

Jenny Han, writer May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

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