Just a few short months ago as the pandemic hit, we were all left to figure out what’s next for retail automotive businesses and jobs around the country. As we adjust to this ‘new normal’ we’re checking in on the central Florida market with Dr. Evelyn Cardenas, President of the Central Florida Automobile Dealers Association, or CFADA.
Like many other regional and local markets around the country, Florida dealers were hit with COVID-19 restrictions earlier this year that impacted sales revenue. However, Dr. Cardenas says that the past couple of Summer months have been strong, and many dealers recouped some of their losses.
While inventory problems linger, Dr. Cardenas says that her dealer members are encouraged to see those problems alleviate themselves incrementally over time.
“Dealers are used to being in chaos,” says Dr. Cardenas. “If you go back to the early 1980s with all of the economic booms and busts…some of these guys have been through so much that this is just another kink in the road.”
Dr. Cardenas and anchor Jim Fitzpatrick also discuss PPP money, digital retailing, and the upcoming presidential election between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden.
Dr. Evelyn Cardenas is an international business consultant who joined CFADA three years ago. She previously worked as a university adjunct professor where she instructed students about emerging markets and multinational market strategies. Dr. Cardenas has also spoken at the Digital Dealer Conference and Expo, the Women in Automotive conference, and the Project Management Institute in Madrid, Spain to name a few.
Did you enjoy this interview with Dr. Evelyn Cardenas? Please share your thoughts, comments, or questions regarding this topic with host Jim Fitzpatrick at jfitzpatrick@cbtnews.com.
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