The new Chair of the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association is a fourth generation car dealer, helping oversee a network of dealerships that also includes the fifth generation that are hard at work serving their customers across Newfoundland and Labrador.
Jonathan Hickman,Vice-President of the Hickman Automotive Group, took over as CADA Chair at the association’s Board meeting in October.
“I’ve always really enjoyed being part of CADA,” said Hickman in an interview, adding that serving on the association’s executive committee has given him the opportunity to travel and meet fellow dealers from all parts of the country. “For us, we’ve got multiple franchises, but I’m getting to meet people who have different franchises I would never otherwise get to meet. I would never get to meet a Subaru dealer out of Calgary, for example, our paths would never cross.”
He said although they represent different brands, it’s helped him realize they have far more in common as car dealers. ”I always thought it would be a little different, that these guys wouldn’t have the same problems. But nope, we’re all in the same boat,” he said.
Hickman’s Automotive Group was first established in 1905 by Albert E. Hickman and they now employ more than 500 people in thirteen locations. “We’re the fourth generation, and currently we have four children in the business. So we are a fifth generation car family. From my understanding, we are the only fifth generation car dealership group in Canada,” said Hickman.
As Hickman takes over as Chair, the industry faces multiple challenges and he’s eager to continue to help CADA make progress on them. “One of the biggest issues right now is going to be the electrification of vehicles in Canada, and the pace the government is moving at. Is it realistic to expect to hit those numbers?” he said in an interview with CADA Newsline.
He said the affordability of these vehicles is also an increasing concern for many Canadians.
Another key issue CADA will continue to work hard on for dealers is fighting the vehicle theft crisis. He said there are a number of other projects that CADA looks after which deliver key information for dealer members, like the first-ever CADA Data Report, the CADA Workforce Study, and providing detailed information about the economic impact of dealerships in various parts of Canada.
In terms of his company’s approach, he said he and his brother Bert encourage cooperation and not competition among the next generation as they adopt different roles within the business. “We are showing the kids that at the end of the day, you don’t have to be the boss. If you set it up properly, everyone can be successful, everyone can enjoy the industry. It is a fun industry to be in and you don’t really need to be stabbing each other in the back to try to get ahead because really we’re nine car dealerships and two Harley Davidson dealerships. And we do have some outside businesses that we’re involved in — that there’s enough for everyone. Why would you want to fight over it and destroy a great legacy?” he said.
