Soon after taking office in June 2023, National Independent Automobile Dealers Association president Gordon Tormohlen said the first item on his to-do list was “to change the tone.”

Ask any member of NIADA’s leadership about the association’s most important goals and chances are the answer will include something similar. CEO Jeff Martin said building confidence back is “one of our primary responsibilities.”

Chairman Scott Allen said Martin is working to “put the train back on the tracks” and “build those bridges.”

It’s an admirable goal. But it obviously raises questions that beg to be answered ...