New Car Dealers in California Unite to Help Dealership Employees Affected by Hurricane Katrina

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 14 The Auto Channel reported that the California Motor Car Dealers Association (CMCDA) and new car dealer members around California are raising funds to offer emergency relief to dealership employees who have suffered loss or damage of personal property by Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.

With nearly 150,000 dealership employees in California, CMCDA is asking each dealership and its employees throughout the state to contribute $10 per employee to the National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation (NADCF). "We are determined to help our fellow dealers and their families in the Gulf region who have suffered so much from the devastation of Katrina," said Ed Fitzpatrick, CMCDA chairman and a Modesto dealer. "We're especially grateful to be part of an industry that is showing its compassion across the country to help those in need."

NADA's (National Automobile Dealers Association) Foundation has a disaster relief fund specifically designed for emergencies. Because of the magnitude of the disaster, NADCF launched a targeted national fundraising campaign to help the estimated 7,000 dealership employees who have been impacted by Katrina.

Many California dealers have also made significant contributions to other hurricane relief funds such as those established by the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Other examples of generosity include hosting gulf coast dealership employees to work at California dealerships, and delivering truckloads of aid to the affected region.

About CMCDA

The California Motor Car Dealers Association (CMCDA) is a statewide trade association that represents the interests of more than 1,400 franchised new car dealer members. CMCDA members are primarily engaged in the retail sale and lease of new vehicles, and also engage in automotive service, repair and part sales. CMCDA promotes fair and ethical business practices through a wide range of educational programs, services and industry publications. For more information, visit CMCDA's Web site: www.cmcda.org.