Brownlee Speaks Out

When I first began considering a name for my AIADA Chairman’s column, I knew I wanted to honor the people who have mentored and guided me to where I am today. I landed on ‘Brownlee Speaks Out’ because it reminded me of my father. Everyone who knew him called him by his last name, and everyone who knew him also knew at least a few of his strongly held opinions.

My father taught me that there is a time to be silent, to listen and learn from those around you, and a time to make yourself heard. He was never afraid of expressing himself, and he instilled that same confidence in his sons. For me, this is the year to raise my voice. As AIADA’s 2024 chairman, I intend to use my position to ensure that the dealer’s perspective is understood and considered, on Capitol Hill and beyond.

As an industry, we stand at a crossroads. The White House and the EPA are telling us to prioritize electric vehicle sales above everything else. Our customers are telling us they want more options, including plug-in hybrids. As dealers, it is vital that we speak out and promote an achievable, sensible approach to greening our roads. One that strengthens our economy, benefits the environment, and meets the needs of all Americans.

You may have noticed that achievable, sensible policy is pretty uncommon is today’s hyper-partisan world. Under the magnifying glass of an unrelenting 24-hour news cycle, once common elements of policy making, like compromise and practicality, have gone by the wayside. No one wants to be seen as weak, so they entrench themselves in extreme positions. Unfortunately, our industry has become a victim of this all-or-nothing approach. That’s why we find ourselves currently awash in unsold EVs, even while we scramble to figure out how to meet the EPA’s proposed strictest ever restrictions on tailpipe emissions, requiring that 67 percent of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2032 be all-electric.

Dealers know better than anyone what consumers want, and don’t want, from their next car purchase. We know what’s attainable, and we recognize wishful thinking from D.C. when we see it. In this crucial election year, it is vital that our lawmakers, and candidates, hear from us. I can promise you they will hear from me. Some of our brands, with Toyota leading the way, have correctly identified that the real path forward for our industry is not an extreme left or right position, but a slow and steady approach featuring an abundance of affordable options. It’s not glamorous, but it will get us where we want to go a heck of a lot faster than anything Congress cooks up.

As my father showed me throughout his life, speaking out doesn’t have to mean taking the most partisan position possible to garner attention and clout. It can mean speaking truth to power and using your voice to make positive change in the world.

Over the next year I am looking forward to working with all of you to do just that.

Anthony Sig.png

Anthony Brownlee
2024 AIADA Chairman