OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — NCM Associates today officially launches its NCM Institute Center for Automotive Retail Excellence today, offering dealers a wide variety of programs, including introductory and advanced courses in used-vehicle management, general management, service management, sales management, financial management and e-commerce management.

All of the courses are designed to provide comprehensive, real-world strategies tailored to the needs of each student.

The classes are taught four times a year at NCM's Overland Park, Kan., training facilities, but NCM offers on-site, in-store training, as well.

"NCM Institute represents the finest, most comprehensive dealership training curriculum ever offered by NCM," stated Paul Faletti Jr., NCM Associates chief executive officer and president. "Our program is based on over 60 years of proven best practices in automotive retail management, leadership and operational excellence, and the NCMi faculty represents the best of the best in this industry. 

"The events of 2009 are a real and stark reminder of just how 'normal' business conditions can virtually evaporate and force the market into truly new and unchartered territory," he continued. "The NCMi Center for Automotive Retail Excellence is a timely response to the changing marketplace and will ensure our dealers are adequately prepared as business conditions evolve."

One of the new features of the NCMi program is continuing education. For instance, once students finish their coursework, they can be placed in a NCM Manager 20 Group for free for six months.

There are also substantial tuition discounts. Additionally, NCM is providing a $250 discount off the tuition for February and March classes for a limited time.

NCM said that dealership principals or general managers can participate in most classes at no charge if they have a paid registration.

Upcoming classes include the following:

—Feb. 1-3: Principles of Used Vehicle Management I.

—Feb. 3-5: Principles of Used Vehicle Management II.

—Also during February will be courses in general management, service management and financial management.