Pub. 5 2023 Issue 5

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Devinder Singh Bains was hired at Singh Pontiac Buick GMC Cadillac in 1989 as a service adviser by Mr. Dalip Singh Sethi. Within six months, Devinder was promoted to service manager and started working in the sales department on weekends. In 1994 he was promoted to finance manager, and again in 1994, he was promoted to general sales manager and then general manager in 1996.

The unlikeliest of auto mascots, a cartoon cat from the early 20th century, has made the oldest automotive dealership in Los Angeles famous. Felix the Cat and Felix Chevrolet joined forces over a century ago in a stroke of cross-marketing genius. Winslow Felix (owner, 1921‑1936) Auto dealer Winslow Felix found creative ways to innovate from

The Future Automotive Group has been serving drivers since 1963, with 14 dealerships (23 franchises) and three commercial fleet service centers in the Greater Sacramento Region: Fairfield, Concord and Clovis. The automotive industry is in my blood as I am a second-generation Ford dealer,” said CEO Steve Pleau. When Steve’s father, Gene Pleau, finished serving

Established in 1949, Tom’s Truck Center began as a commercial truck repair facility. In 1973, George Heidler acquired the business after owning gas stations and a tow truck operation. By 1984, he transformed it into a franchised commercial truck dealership. Over the years, Tom’s also operated Kia, Suzuki and Isuzu car dealerships and currently owns a Ford automotive dealership. Sadly, George passed away from cancer in 2011, and his son K.C. Heidler, now serves as the president and CEO.

This article and review of former CNCDA Board Member Darryl Holter’s book, “Driving Force,” was previously written by renowned Historian and Professor Gary Scott Cross for the Los Angeles Review of Books.

On the morning of March 5, 1929, the 16th Annual LA Auto Show opened for another day of excitement and curiosity. There were four massive tents on the corner of Hill Street and Washington Boulevard. The auto show, growing in popularity, attracted thousands of people who were scheduled to attend that day. The show was in full swing, and millions of dollars of cars, boats and airplanes were on display.

Group Portrait: MCDA of Southern California Los Angeles Auto Show, 1920s Group Portrait of New Directors of the Motor Car Dealers Association (MCDA) of Southern California Los Angeles Auto Show, 1920 Los Angeles Auto Show, 1926 30th Los Angeles International Auto Show, 1953 Los Angeles Auto Show, 1955 Los Angeles Auto Show, 44th Southern California

As I step into the role of chairman for CNCDA’s monumental 100th year, the honor is profound. Representing and serving California’s franchised dealership community is a privilege that humbles me. The board chairs on pages 20-21, a mere snapshot of the many remarkable individuals in our association, symbolize the hundreds of franchise new car dealers who, over a century, have generously given their time and talent to lead CNCDA’s Board of Directors.

Dear CNCDA members and friends,
As we embark on our 100-year celebration, it is a privilege to reflect on the remarkable journey we’ve shared as an association dedicated to the prosperity of California’s franchised new car dealers.