CATA.DriveChicago.com is the CATA's Web site. It is intended to be an information clearinghouse for new-car dealerships. With the simple click of a mouse, CATA.DriveChicago.com provides the necessary information, forms, and tools to make your dealership more efficient. The information on the CATA Web site is available free to all members.

At the CATA Web site you'll find the following:

Cata.DriveChicago.com also provides more information on the following CATA Services:

CATA Bulletin
The biweekly CATA Bulletin is a newsletter to keep dealership personnel aware of the latest news, legislation and regulations that affect their daily operations. Please circulate the Bulletin to your key dealership department heads. You'll find that the information it contains will be of value to many of your operation's departments. To receive the newsletter via e-mail, contact the editor, Erik Higgins, at ehiggins@cata.info.

Auto Outlook New and Used Car Newsletters
"Auto Outlook" is a quarterly synopsis of market trends and indicators prepared for CATA members. The purpose of this information is to give dealers a statistical comparison of how the Chicago area is doing in relationship to the entire country's sales. The "Outlook" also gives editorial analysis and opinion of how the market is doing, including trends and other forces, which may affect local sales. In 2007, the CATA added another edition of our "Auto Outlook" newsletter, focusing on the used car market in Chicagoland. Trends and history of the used-car market will assist our dealer members in making good choices about the pre-owned market in our area.

New Car Dealer Advertising Campaign
The CATA continues to dedicate significant funding-in excess of $1 million per year-to help promote the local dealer. An ongoing radio campaign on why it's best to "buy used cars from a new-car store" to reasons why the dealer is the best place for all to have vehicle service performed is produced and purchased by the association. The impact is significant and helps our dealer image in the market.

Seminar Series
A wide variety of seminars enables members to learn more about issues that affect them. Topics range from operational improvements to regulatory compliance to legislative issues. Seminars are free of charge to CATA members and are announced in both the CATA Bulletin and in separately mailed promotional notices or broadcast fax.

Better Business BureauThe Chicago Automobile Trade Association continues to enjoy a strong relationship with the Better Business Bureau. One example of this relationship is the Advertising Review Program the CATA set up with the BBB. With the assistance of the BBB, CATA members have a clearer understanding dealer advertising. The CATA has also worked with the BBB to create the Membership Identification Program. It gives CATA members an opportunity support of the mission and standards of the BBB. Participating members can use the logo in print and electronic advertisements and other business documents, as long as they appear exclusively in the 19 northern-Illinois counties served by the local BBB.

Business FormsForms vital to the daily operations of the retail auto industry are made available to CATA members free of charge.

These forms can be ordered by clicking here.

Eight-County Dealer Report
This semiannual report provides a count of franchised new-car dealers by line and location in the eight-county region. Click here for the latest Eight-County Dealer Report.

Media Relations
In a market the size of Chicago, a multitude of media inquiries are made to the CATA. Our purpose is to give accurate answers which project a positive image of our association's membership. The media have learned that the CATA is fair and desirous of getting "the whole story" before making comment. If members are approached by the media for a story, please feel free to contact the CATA for assistance or guidance.

CATPAC, DEAC and Lobbyists
The CATA works through the Chicago Auto Trade Political Action Committee (CATPAC) and the Dealers Election Action Committee (DEAC) to help influence legislation on state and federal levels. More information about CATPAC and DEAC and its activities can be found in the report from committee chairman Lee Drabek here.

Annual Meeting and Golf Outing
The CATA's Annual Meeting and Golf Outing occures every June and offers members a relaxed and enjoyable setting to gather with associates and conduct the CATA's annual business meeting. Over the past several years the event has been enhanced by the participation of sponsors whose presence makes the day even more special.

National Automobile Dealers Association
The CATA cooperates fully with the NADA and its political action committee, DEAC, in the best interests of the CATA and its members. The Dealers Election Action Committee gives dealers a strong influence with Washington lawmakers. The NADA looks to the CATA to identify pro-dealer candidates for its DEAC resources. The Metropolitan Chicago NADA Director is Ray Scarpelli of Ray Chevrolet in Fox Lake. He can be reached at (847) 587-3300.

Community Relations
Communicating the positive things dealers do in their communities is an important responsibility of the CATA staff. The association's "DriveChicago" radio progam that airs weekly on WLS regularly spotlights many the good things our members do the community. Members are encouraged to contact CATA Director of Communications Paul Brian directly with information regarding dealer activities. You can contact Paul by calling (630) 495-CATA (2282).

Secretary of State Dealer Advisory Board
The CATA represents dealers on this important committee, which counsels the Illinois Secretary of State on issues important to every dealer. Regular meetings include a broad cross-section of those who deal with the Secretary of State's office. Recaps from those meetings and updates on issues are noted in the CATA's biweekly Bulletin.

Legislative Directory
A useful listing of Illinois government officials in Springfield and Washington, D.C., is provided to CATA member dealers. The directory includes committee assignments, addresses and phone numbers, and gives helpful advice on contacting your legislators to convey your views.

DriveChicago.com
DriveChicago.com is owned by the Chicago Auto Trade Association and its dealer members. Through this relationship, DriveChicago.com includes the new and used vehicle inventories of hundreds of Chicagoland dealerships. DriveChicago.com is intended to be the area's most comprehensive, online source for researching and purchasing new and used cars. Its focus is to make vehicle shopping in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana easier by allowing consumers to search through the inventory of every CATA-member dealership.

CATA Service Director BootcampsThe CATA's four-day Service Management Bootcamp Programs have proven to be a strong management tool for all who have attended previous classes. The association's board of directors launched the training in 2006 to help service directors and managers set and exceed objectives; and increase market share, gross profits, efficiency, and employee retention. The CATA board is always looking for good ways to invest back into the dealer body, to help them do what they do, but this program is not for dealer principals, but rather for the people in the trenches, such as general and service managers. Successful completion of the Bootcamp, held at the CATA offices in Oakbrook Terrace, is followed by enrollment in a Service Managers 20 Group that meet three times annually over three years. Instruction fees for the program are greatly underwritten by the CATA. More than $1 million has been allocated for underwriting the training program. For service directors and managers who complete the training program, the CATA will rebate tuition to their dealers at the following levels: 50 percent of the first year, 75 percent of the second year, and 100 percent of the final year. For more information or to register for the Bootcamp programs, call Jim Butcher at the CATA at 630-424-6020.

DRIVE CHICAGO ON WLS AM890For the past 11 years, CATA Director of Communications Paul Brian has welcomed Chicagoans to join him on the radio every Saturday morning. The popular "Drive Chicago on WLS" airs from 8-9 a.m. on one of the Midwest's most listened-to radio stations.  While the show focuses on questions from WLS listeners about what to buy or lease and a multitude of other automotive questions, Drive Chicago also includes topical guests from the industry to share their points of view or to give fresh information and excitement about new vehicles on the way to consumers. Every year, the show originates from the floor of the Chicago Auto Show for two four-hour specials that are always filled with plenty of automotive "star power" and excitement. In February, WLS originated 28 hours of programming from the floor of the 2008 Chicago Auto Show with special appearances and remote broadcasts including the popular Don and Roma Morning Show, Jerry Agar's midday program, the Roe Conn afternoon drive show and various other WLS broadcasters live from the floor. A special two-hour live broadcast of First Look for Charity was again produced with Brian and Roe Conn welcoming industry and entertainment luminaries to the airwaves. The award-winning radio show will occasionally originate from remote locations where manufacturers are conducting launch programs. "The audience loves to be the first on the block to hear about new vehicles, especially when they've yet to be seen in dealer showrooms," said Brian. "When we're not able to travel to launch programs, it's great that manufacturer executives can join us on the phone. Guests from Europe and Asia aren't an unusual thing. It makes for a fun and informative show." Have some interesting news? Share it with Paul at the CATA, 630-424-6069.