It is a privilege to begin my term as President of this outstanding organization. I thank you for your support and look forward to working with you on programs and issues that strengthen our businesses and provide a legacy for our children and the next generation. We look forward to the new year and will provide services that compliment the rebound of the auto industry and prepare us for the challenges and opportunities  in the domestic and international economies. Many thanks to those members who completed the 2012 Membership Survey. We will incorporate your responses into our planning for 2013.  My door is always open and I welcome your ideas and perspective.  

At the end of this year, CMDA President Carlos Hidalgo sold his interests in his Chrysler & Fiat dealerships.  On behalf of all CMDA Members, I would like to thank him for his leadership and enthusiastic service. He crisscrossed the country for meetings; participated in numerous conference calls with members and industry colleagues; brought new financial institutions, sales & profit center experts, dealers, and industry executives to our meetings and introduced them to our members. We appreciate his service and wish him and his family well.  

I invite all members to register and attend our 2013 Annual Business Meeting/NADA in Orlando, Florida that will be held February 8 - 10, 2013 at the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek. As a reminder, the discounted room rate deadline is January 10, 2013 so if you have not done so already, please register using the link below. We had a great response to the streamlined two day schedule from the Summer Meeting and will repeat it for the Annual Meeting. We have planned a full agenda with a variety of activities, speakers and opportunities to network

with dealers, vendors, auto industry and Chrysler executives. Let's make this meeting one of our best! 

Please contact me or CMDA Executive Director Lisa Hogan (305) 913 -1328 if we can ever be of assistance. The CMDA Board of Directors and I wish you, your families and staff a peaceful and blessed holiday season and a prosperous New Year.   

Dear CMDA Members,

It has been my pleasure to serve as President of the Chrysler Minority Dealers Association ("CMDA") this year and as a member of the Board of Directors for seven years. I have been a Chrysler dealer since 1998. In the 4^th Quarter of this year, I sold my ownership interest in all nine of my Chrysler/FIAT stores to a private equity consortium in what is an extremely beneficial opportunity for me and my family. However as a consequence, I will no longer be a member of this wonderful organization and have resigned my seat to the very capable hands of our First Vice President/President - Elect Ralph Martinez. I know President Martinez and the Board of Directors will serve as strong and capable stewards of our organization. Ralph will also be your new representative at National Dealer Council and will serve as a NAMAD Board Member.

As this program year comes to an end, I am pleased that we were able to create an exciting and productive momentum. We hosted a dynamic 2012 Annual Business Meeting / NADA and a Summer Business Meeting / Chrysler Announcement Show in Las Vegas at the Cosmopolitan Hotel and MGM Grand Hotel respectively. The Annual Meeting set a member attendance record and the Dinner Banquet filled the ballroom with dealers, guests and Chrysler Executives all working toward the goal of serving, strengthening and growing minority owned Chrysler dealerships. We instituted the Candidate Identification and Funding Pilot Program that seeks to identify and place qualified minority dealer candidates into viable franchises. In addition to our traditional training and consulting reimbursement program, CMDA also provided more than seven unique in person and online webinar targeted educational programs with financial experts and subject matter speakers. Most importantly, we respected the members' identification of programs and issues that they have determined will benefit their businesses.

It has been an honor to work with all of you - our members and staff as well as the executives from the Chrysler Corporation including my friend and mentor Lee Iacocca, Tom Pappert and the current team at Chrysler which includes Pete Grady, Chris Chandler, Mitch Mitchell and Marcus Foreman. They are all equally committed to ensuring diversity and growth within the dealer network. I would also like to acknowledge our very generous and committed sponsors both old and new. My wife Lucy and I thank all of you for your friendship and wish continued blessings and prosperity for you and your families.  

Sincerely,  

Carlos Hidalgo

CMDA President 2012

(916) 275 - 2275

clhidalgo@aol.com