As the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association’s new director of dealer compliance, Thomas Higgins steps into a unique role dedicated to the safety of consumers and dealership employees during a global pandemic. While GNYADA made dedicated efforts to communicate with its member dealers and help them navigate what the regulatory world looks like, it was time to put some more emphasis on compliance.
Dealers are tasked with maneuvering through a regulatory maze whether it’s federal, state, or city-mandated. Thomas’s purpose is to enhance education and provide guidance to dealers about what they’re facing from COVID-19.
By the time Thomas took over in June, GNYADA was fully engaged with dealers in how to comply with COVID-19 state guidelines set by Governor Andrew Cuomo. Thomas has had the opportunity to meet with dealers in the greater New York area to see what their COVID compliance looks like, and find ways to help. Thomas believes it comes down to education.
“For dealerships, the challenges are- how do they sell vehicles?” says Thomas. “How do they conduct test drives? How do they present vehicles in their showroom, or maybe not? How do they manage their service bay? How do they manage their backroom in terms of PPP, separation, and rotating staff? We try and help them do that by distilling the guidelines that come down from the state.”
For more great insight from Thomas Higgins, be sure to watch our entire interview above.
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