Series to Provide Information & Education to Car Dealers & Lenders, Creates Successful Relationships, Expands Sales & Increases Customer Satisfaction for Auto Dealers

Dublin, OH – Keith Whann, the auto industry’s “Car Counselor”, is pleased to announce the expansion of his T.A.R.P. (Together Automotive Retailing Prospers) Program into a regional, six-state seminar series in conjunction with the NIADA, OIADA, Auttr.com, Columbus Auto Fair Auction and partners AutoTrader.com, NAC and Manheim.

Whann’s initial version of the T.A.R.P. Program, (NOT to be confused with the government’s Troubled Asset Relief Program), was established in 2009 to create positive, long-lasting change within the automotive industry by bringing dealers and lenders together to build new relationships and allow prosperity and success in the industry.

“I was invited to testify in Washington this past March at the “Consumer Protection in the Used & Subprime Car Market” hearing. As I prepared my testimony, the negative environment surrounding the automotive industry was growing. I felt something had to be done to change this trend and decided to try and lead by example,” said Mr. Whann. “Auto dealers were in dire need of cash flow for floor planning of inventory and additional finance sources for their retail customers, so that’s where I focused my efforts… and along the way my T.A.R.P. Program was born.”

The initial “Car Counselor’s” T.A.R.P. Event, which launched in March of 2009, brought together over 30 lenders and 300+ attendees and was quickly incorporated into the NIADA Convention in June, where over 50 lenders and 950 attendees participated.

“Keith’s T.A.R.P. Program was the right thing at the right time for the industry, as evidenced by the overwhelming success at our Convention” said Mike Linn, NIADA CEO. “This seminar series is a fine example of NIADA’s commitment to educating both dealers and consumers alike.”

“The automotive industry, while recovering from it’s toughest times in over two decades, is a long way from being what it used to be… or what it CAN be,” said Pete Biscardi, President of NAC. “Keith’s initiative and NIADA’s involvement inspired us to take a more active role and create an exciting new NIADA Certified Vehicle Program that will enhance resale values and enable used auto dealers to finally provide consumers with a quality vehicle certification program.”

The NIADA Car Counselor’s T.A.R.P. Regional Seminar Series begins in Columbus Oct. 16th & 17th and has released event dates in Philadelphia, Orlando, Dallas, and Northern Virginia for ’09 -’10, and is integrated into the 2010 NIADA Annual Convention in Las Vegas, NV. Along with building lender/dealer relationships, the events will also feature the new NIADA Certified Vehicle Program, Keys to Online Marketing Success for Dealers, and Keith’s new “Car Buying IS FUN” Program – focused on educating consumers about the car buying process.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Keith Whann is a leading national authority and legal advisor on motor vehicle and consumer protection issues, General Counsel for the NIADA, and Co-Owner/ CEO/General Counsel for Columbus Fair Auto Auction. His monthly columns and articles on legal compliance issues, broadcast presentations as “The Car Counselor”, and seminars on complex auto industry issues, earned him the only request to testify on behalf of the automotive industry at a Congressional Sub-Committee hearing in Washington, D.C. in March 2009. Keith recently launched Auttr.com, a social networking site for dealers and consumers devoted to the auto industry. For more info visit www.KeithWhann.com

The NIADA (National Independent Automobile Dealers Association), founded in 1946, has represented quality independent automobile dealers for over 60 years. As the only national not-for-profit organization representing the independent motor vehicle industry, they assist over 20,000 members annually toward becoming more successful within the industry through promotion, education and development. Its affiliate, the OIADA, represents 600 members in the state of Ohio. For info visit www.NIADA.com

NAC (National Auto Care Corp.) has been developing innovative, value-based aftermarket products and competitive service agreement programs for automotive, power sports, and recreational vehicles for over 25 years now. NAC provides unique access to highly experienced and knowledgeable support staff who provide the top-level of service and support necessary to ensure unlimited success and profitability.

AutoTrader.com is the Internet's leading auto classifieds marketplace and consumer information website. Through innovative merchandising functionality, AutoTrader.com unites new and used car buyers and sellers online to improve the way people research, locate and advertise vehicles. For info visit www.autotrader.com

Manheim was established more than 60 years ago as a wholesale vehicle auction operation. Today, with more than 32,000 employees in 135 operating locations worldwide, Manheim is the world’s largest provider of vehicle remarketing services.For more info visit www.manheimauctions.com