Author: Summer

MADA Is Moving – A Note from Our Executive Vice President

Posted on by Summer

As the person managing MADA’s day-to-day operations, I’m genuinely excited to share this update with our members. Being in the office every day means I see firsthand what our dedicated team needs to serve you well – and this move has been a long time coming. On behalf of the MADA staff, I can say with confidence: this is the right decision at the right time.

This has truly been a team effort across leadership, past and present. I’m grateful to the MADA Board of Directors for their guidance and steady leadership throughout the process, and former EVP Terry Burns deserves recognition for spearheading the early real estate search and development work that made this move possible.

On behalf of the entire MADA team – we are thrilled and thankful. When you’re next in the area, we’d love to show you around.

James Fackler, MADA Executive Vice President

Effective July 3, 2026, the MADA office will be making a much-needed move. You will soon be able to visit us about three miles down the road at: 211 Harrier Drive | Bath, MI 48808.

Why the Move?

For more than 100 years, MADA has adapted alongside the Michigan retail automotive industry. The upcoming move is the latest example of that commitment to doing right by our members.

The current MADA office building was constructed in the late 1960s to support a much larger membership, a larger staff, and a different era of association services. A lot has changed since then. The number of Michigan dealerships has decreased, our staff has become leaner and more cross-trained, and technology has fundamentally transformed how we support you.

The result? We’ve been paying to maintain far more space than we need.

The MADA Board of Directors recognized this opportunity to update and “right size” our facility. This move will not only reduce overhead, but the Harrier Drive office is a much newer, more modern facility better suited to today’s operations. This move will continue MADA’s proud tradition of evolving with the industry.

A Quick Look Back

Originally founded in 1920 as the Michigan Automotive Trade Association and incorporated on May 19, 1921, the association was created to protect and promote the interests and image of franchised automobile dealers. In 1937, the association moved from Detroit to Lansing and became the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association. In the late 1960s, leadership built a stately office not too far from the Michigan Capitol, to match the association’s growing footprint. Now, 60 years later, your board is making the next smart move.

All services, staff, and member support remain exactly the same – just from a better-suited address.

We look forward to welcoming you to the new MADA home. Please update your records accordingly, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

 

  • Effective July 3, 2026 the MADA office will be located at: 211 Harrier Drive | Bath, MI 48808
  • The current P.O. Box will remain active: P.O. Box 2525  |  East Lansing, MI 48826-2525
  • MADA phone numbers are unchanged: Phone: (800) 292-1923 or (517) 351-7800

 

Please click here for a sharable copy of the MADA address change, with a photo of the new building.

 

P.S. The new office is located in prime golfer territory!

MADA will be next door neighbors with Eagle Eye Championship Golf Course (and The Little Hawk Putting Course). Just a bit further down the road is Hawk Hollow, where we often host the annual golf outing. If you are taking a swing on any of the local courses, feel free to stop by the office and say hi! We would be happy to give you a tour of the building.

Celebrating A Century: Snethkamp Automotive Family

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MADA is pleased to recognize MADA board vice president, Mark Snethkamp Sr., and the entire Snethkamp Automotive family on a milestone that stands alone in our industry: 100 years as a Chrysler dealer.

It began in 1919, when Ed Snethkamp Sr. started selling used cars in the city of Detroit. In 1926, shortly after Chrysler Corp was formed, Ed stepped up to become the very first Chrysler dealer in Detroit.

Throughout four generations, the Snethkamps remain active as business leaders, community partners, and advocates for the retail auto industry. Even during World War II, when showrooms went dark across the country, the business stayed open, converting its space into a machine shop to support the war effort.

Bill Snethkamp Sr. continued what his father had built, becoming the youngest DADA president in history in 1949. Then, in 1979, with Chrysler on the edge of collapse, Bill Sr. joined a delegation of auto dealers who traveled to Washington to make the case to President Carter: without the lifeline of government loan guarantees, not only would Chrysler Corp fail, but with it, thousands of dealerships and hundreds of thousands of jobs.

The third generation brought brothers Bill Snethkamp Jr. and Mark Snethkamp Sr. into the family business. Bill Jr. led MADA as president in 1994, and Mark followed in his father’s footsteps by taking the helm at DADA in 2000, continuing a family tradition of stepping up to lead. Mark Sr. has since spent the past 15 years leading the Southeast Michigan Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Dealers Association, and today brings that same leadership to MADA as our vice president. With Mark Snethkamp Jr. now working at the dealership, the fourth generation is already finding its footing in the family business.

Beyond just business, the Snethkamps have given back generously. Youth sports teams, local nonprofits, and community events have long counted on Snethkamp Automotive’s support. Since 2020, their Food Drive Challenge has raised more than $350,000 and delivered over two million meals to families across the region.

MADA sends our congratulations to the entire Snethkamp family on this historic anniversary. MADA is proud and honored to have you leading alongside us.

Fake “Zoom Meeting” Targeting Dealerships

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An MADA member has alerted us to a new scam targeting dealership sales staff, attempting to gain access to your dealership’s computer infrastructure.

How the Scam Works

The dealership received a Carfax lead. When staff followed up, the “customer” expressed interest in a vehicle but insisted on scheduling a Zoom meeting to discuss it further. When the salesperson declined, the person became increasingly pushy, then went silent and stopped responding to texts entirely.

A quick online search by the dealership confirmed this was likely a scam. To validate their suspicion, the salesperson followed up with the customer the next day – and the phone number was no longer in service.

Zoom Link Contains Malware

The scam has also been targeting real estate professionals and other industries. It is reported that if the scammer’s Zoom link is clicked, malware is installed on the device. From there, bad actors can potentially access sensitive data, customer information and dealership systems.

Join Us for a Day on the Greens! Sept. 22 at Hawk Hollow

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Mark your calendar and practice your swing. MADA’s annual golf outing returns on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at Hawk Hollow Golf Course.

Registration is $250 per person and includes everything you need for a great day:

  • morning snacks and beverages
  • lunch during play
  • complimentary beverages on the course
  • an awards reception with meal following play
  • player gifts for everyone

On top of that, every golfer is automatically entered to win one of dozens of sponsor prizes.

 

Start Planning Your Foursome Today! This is the perfect opportunity to get out on the course with your colleagues, clients, and industry partners. Singles and doubles are of course also welcome, but please register any teammates together so you are grouped together throughout the day. Start thinking about who you want in your cart!

The outing is open to dealers, dealership staff, and association partners, so there’s no shortage of great people to play alongside.

Save the date and forward this information to the people you want on your team! Additional information and registration details will be mailed to dealerships in July.

Interested in Participating as A Sponsor? Please reach out to Debbie Korn to find out what opportunities are available. Call (800) 292-1923 or email dkorn@michiganada.org.

PLEASE NOTE: Golfer participation fees are a contribution to MADPAC and will be reported in accordance with Michigan campaign finance laws. Home address and a personal payment method will be required. Corporate payments are not permitted. MADPAC contributions are not charitable-contribution deductions on federal income tax.

Has Your Installment Seller License Renewal Been Submitted?

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DIFS emailed installment seller (finance) license renewal paperwork in early April. Please confirm that your dealership received that email, which includes renewal codes specific to your store.

To allow time for processing, please submit renewals by month-end.

Once paperwork has been submitted, MADA recommends that dealers confirm the renewal status within the DIFS website. (Allow time for processing.) Your financial partners and auctions may request a copy of the updated renewal confirmation.

 

Steps for Renewal. There are three parts to the ISL renewal process: all steps must be completed before DIFS will renew the license:

  1. Volume of activity
  2. Payment
  3. Email submission of renewal application

 

If your dealership is not renewed and you cannot find the original DIFS email, please reach out to MADA (include your dealership name and IS license number). We are happy to assist if you have questions or complications with the renewal process. Call our office at (800) 292-1923 or email lhall@michiganada.org.

BCBS: Understanding the Differences Between Burnout and Stress

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About two-thirds of Americans report regularly feeling stress, according to the American Institute of Stress. This feeling is related to finances, work and health concerns.

While stress is normal, stress in a prolonged period can lead to burnout. Here is a look at stress vs. burnout, the symptoms of each and how to recover from burnout.

This article is from MIBlue Daily, brought to you by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Stress v. burnout

Stress is a natural response to give an individual energy during a threat or perceived threat. The body produces adrenaline and cortisol, which increases a person’s heart rate and slows the digestive system, respectively. The hormones prepare for “fight or flight” to get through the experience, and then the nervous system regulates itself.

Symptoms of stress include:

  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Muscle tension
  • Digestive problems
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Irritability or anger
  • Weakened immune system

Short bursts of stress are normal. But ongoing stress can become chronic. If the body can’t regulate and the “fight or flight” response continues, it can lead to anxiety, depression, poor sleep, digestive issues, high blood pressure and burnout.
Burnout is a type of prolonged stress that goes on for weeks or months. It could be from work, relationships or caregiving. When chronic stress leads to the inability to function, that is a sign of possible burnout.

Symptoms of burnout include:

  • Fatigue and low energy
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Feeling emotionally numb
  • Mood changes such as irritability
  • Lack of interest in everyday tasks and interests
  • Headaches, digestive issues or muscle tension

It’s important to note burnout has similar symptoms to depression and these two conditions can overlap. Individuals who experience these symptoms should talk to their primary care provider for a mental health screening.

 

Keep reading for tips to manage burnout.

Repair or Replace? Total Loss Write-offs of Crashed Cars Continue to Climb

Posted on by Summer

By Glenn Mercer, Car Charts

If you crash your car in the USA, and you have insurance (which is true for about 80% of our drivers), and you file a claim (which happens in less than half of collisions, since most people involved in low-speed “fender benders” tend to settle the issue outside the insurance system), in some cases your insurer will declare your car a “total loss.” In this instance, though things can get complicated especially if loans or leases are involved, the insurer will offer you an ACV (“actual cash value”1) settlement check in the amount of what the car would have been worth if not crashed, minus any deductible you are carrying. If you agree to the settlement, the insurer takes ownership of the car and tries to get some value out of it, most often by selling it (often via auction) for its parts, or sometimes by selling it to a rebuilder who will try to restore it to drivability. The insurer opts for a total loss declaration when it determines that the cost to repair the car exceeds the ACV, such that the company will take less of a hit by buying you out rather than fixing your ride.

Okay, that’s all fine, but where – you will be asking – is the chart? Here it is, from CCC Intelligent Solutions, which knows more about auto insurance than just about anyone.

(Light blue bars: non-comprehensive losses. Dark blue: all loss categories.)

You will not need an advanced math degree to note that the trend is… up. That is, increasingly insurers would rather, in effect, replace your car than repair it. In my experience this is unsettling for many drivers, especially when the damage looks mostly cosmetic. The trend feeds into a variety of anxieties about the modern world, such as “Is everything disposable nowadays?” and “Does no one know how to actually fix anything any more?” and “Isn’t it just a waste to scrap a perfectly drivable car?”2

So what is (pardon the pun) driving this relentless total loss upward march? I am no expert in auto insurance, but industry sources suggest these factors, and there are more:

  • The fleet is older, and older vehicles total much more easily. The average age of the car fleet is pushing 13 years, and older cars are more often “totaled:” CCC has said something like three-quarters of totaled cars are 7 or more years old. The market value of these cars is so low it is cheaper to write them off.
  • The cost of inputs required to repair a car are rising. Inflation is everywhere and that includes car parts and (especially) repair labor. It is not uncommon to find a qualified master-level body shop paint tech making $100,000 a year now. (Parents of kids about to sign massive college student loans, take note!)
  • Modern vehicles are harder and thus costlier to fix, regardless of parts and labor costs. A lot of this is driven by advanced software and sensors and electronics. For example, if one bent a 1985 Chevy, you straighten the frame and the panels and re-align the suspension and you’re good. Bend a 2025 Chevy and you’re going to have to replace a lot of ultrasonic, camera, and radar/lidar sensors, and not only straighten the frame but “straighten” the sensor array, by recalibrating them all. Most crashed modern cars will need such a calibration, which can easily run $500 or more all by itself. Then throw in the added complexity of BEVs and PHEVs and it gets worse.

 

Keep reading: https://glennmercer.substack.com/p/repair-or-replace

How Much Caffeine is Too Much Caffeine?

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Caffeine is a stimulant that speeds up messaging between the brain and body when it reaches the central nervous system. Millions of people all over the world consume caffeine every day to feel more alert during daily activities. 

Caffeine won’t typically pose a health problem, but it’s important to be mindful of its side effects and be ready to cut back if necessary. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deems 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine a day a safe amount for most healthy adults. That equates roughly to four to five cups of standard brewed coffee.

This article is from MIBlue Daily, brought to you by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

How much caffeine is in certain drinks?

An individual may reach those 400 mg of maximum recommended daily caffeine a lot faster depending on the source. The caffeine content in a cup of coffee can vary quite a bit. Factors like processing and brewing time affect the caffeine level.

Those wondering if 50 mg of caffeine is a lot shouldn’t be dissuaded from having a cup or two of coffee that contains that amount of caffeine. But these amounts can add up when going back for a third or fourth cup, and not all caffeinated drinks are created equally.

An 8-ounce cup of drip or pour-over coffee, for example, may contain well over 100 mg of caffeine. These amounts can also vary when buying coffee from a store or restaurant. 

How much caffeine is in one cup of coffee?

Here is a breakdown of some of the most popular caffeinated beverages, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): 

  • 12-ounce can of cola: 23-55 mg
  • 8-ounce cup of brewed green tea: 30-50 mg
  • 8-ounce cup of instant coffee: 55-75 mg
  • 8-ounce cup of brewed black tea: 45-50 mg
  • 1-ounce shot of espresso: 60-70 mg
  • 12-ounce energy drink: 72-122 mg
  • 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee: 80-100 mg
  • 13-oz Frappuccino: 110 mg

Caffeine in powder or liquid form can provide toxic levels of caffeine, according to the FDA. Just one teaspoon of powdered caffeine is equivalent to about 28 cups of coffee. Drastically high levels of caffeine can cause serious health problems and possibly death. 

 

Keep reading at MI Blue Daily…

MADA Spring Membership Meeting

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Registration is open for MADA’s annual spring membership meeting. This event brings together dealers and management teams across Michigan for networking, lunch and an update on our industry.

This year, we have added a presentation on artificial intelligence (AI) in the dealership. AI is not another tool category. It is a shift in how dealerships operate. Business leaders cannot escape nor ignore AI’s impact on operations and customer relationships. It has become critical that dealers understand how to use AI properly – in a way that benefits your business and your people.

WHO: Dealers, Management Teams, AI Integration Staff

WHEN: May 19, 2026  |  Doors Open 11:30 AM

WHERE: Eagle Eye Banquet Center in Bath, MI

Click here for additional detail about this membership program.

 

 

Redesigned Vehicle Transaction Forms

Posted on by Summer

The Michigan Department of State (MDOS) recently updated a group of forms that are needed for vehicle transactions in certain situations.

The following forms have been redesigned to meet accessibility standards and do not involve any procedural changes.

TR-34: Existing stock can be used until it runs out.

TR-121, TR-128: In-process paperwork will be accepted on existing stock. Any new transactions should utilize the online version of the form.

TR-205: In-process paperwork will be accepted on existing stock through 5/31/26. Any new transactions should utilize the online version of the form.

Please share this information with your team as needed.