By Blair Qualey
As I sat down to prepare my final column of 2024, I reviewed an extensive list of topics covered over the course of the year. We have canvassed industry trends, government policy, innovation, the contribution of the sector to the economic and social fabric of this province – and many others. However, there are a few significant developments that proved to be pivotal in 2024, including the following:
ZEV adoption & speedbumps along the way
For the past 14 years, New Car Dealers and the provincial government (including most recently BC Hydro) has worked in partnership to deliver the CleanBC Go Electric Vehicle Rebate Program. It’s a partnership that has produced very positive results. Last year, as an example zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) represented almost 23% of light duty passenger vehicle sales last year.
This year, we began to see a softening of the market and sales in the neighbourhood of 20%. Early adopters of ZEVs have made their market choice, but a large segment of consumers will need to overcome key factors including price, range anxiety, access to convenient and reliable charging infrastructure (especially if they live in rural or remote areas).
This is precisely why the NCDA is advocating that the provincial government restore sustainable electric vehicle incentives to pre-pandemic levels, to encourage consumer adoption and support the growth of the ZEV market. It’s also why we are encouraging government to address the rigid and punitive policies associated with the Zero-Emission Vehicle Act. As it stands, automakers face financial penalties of $20,000 per vehicle, if they fail to meet mandated targets requiring 26% of light-duty vehicles sold in BC be ZEVs by 2026, 90% by 2030 – and 100% by 2035. The prospect of major penalties already has some manufacturers planning to reduce allocation of all vehicles (including gas powered) by 15-20 percent in January 2025 in order to meet the arbitrary mandate quotas – and it will be consumers who pay in the end because limiting inventory means a higher price point for all new and used vehicles, as we experienced during the pandemic.
NCDA’s newest Board Chair – Ann Marie Clark
In what has historically been a male-dominated industry, the selection of Ann Marie to this pivotal role is an important one. In July, Ann Marie was officially installed as the first ever female Chair in NCDA history and during the ensuing months, she has demonstrated her leadership qualities as we continue to manage our way through challenges and opportunities.
The triumphant return of the Vancouver International Auto Show
After a four-year absence, the Vancouver International Auto Show (VIAS) roared back in spectacular form. We embraced the challenge, creating a re-imagined event that appealed to those beyond the traditional auto show attendee, and the results speak for themselves: The 2024 VIAS shattered previous attendance records, surpassing even the most optimistic projections, with the number of visitors passing through the turnstiles during the five-day event exceeding 129,000.
Don’t forget to mark your calendars now for the 2025 Vancouver International Auto Show at the Vancouver Convention Centre West from March 19th – 23rd.
Unfortunately, 2024 will also be remembered as a year in which we lost some true pioneers, including Lyle Morrey of the Morrey Auto Group, Bryan Rowntree, a well-known and highly-respected car dealer, who was instrumental in helping establish the automotive business program at Georgian College, , and Paul McGeachie, whose career in consumer show management included time with the Vancouver International Auto Show. And of course, this year also marked the passing of former Premier John Horgan – who was as authentic, honest and passionate as they come, and Dan Coulter, former MLA for Chilliwack. Each of these individuals have left a legacy that will endure.
As we enter the final days of the calendar year, I hope that all readers are having the opportunity to put all of the day-to-day pressures aside – and be surrounded by family, friends and loved ones. I wish everyone a safe, happy holiday season and New Year.
Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected]
