General Motors added more minority-owned dealerships to its American network of retail storefronts than any other automaker in 2019, according to a recent Automotive News report.
Data gathered by the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers indicated GM had a total of 287 minority-owned dealerships in its roster at the end of 2019 – up nine from the year prior. Japanese rival Toyota was second for minority dealership growth after adding seven stores to its catalog, while FCA was third after gaining four from the year prior. FCA still has the second most amount of minority-owned stores at 181, however, while Toyota is third overall with 81.
In a statement, GM said it has been working to bring in more minority-owned dealerships in recent years and is happy to see its efforts are paying off.
“GM continues to push forth our decades-long commitment to create adealer network that reflects the incredible diversity of our customer base,” the automaker said. “We are proud to say that we have more minority dealers than any other OEM in the U.S., accounting for nearly one of every four minority dealers in this country. It is apparent that our work has resulted in tremendous strides, and we have no intention to take our foot off the pedal.”
The National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers says minority-owned stores currently account for roughly 6% of U.S. automotive dealerships. GM sits slightly above average, with its 287 minority-owned dealers accounting for around 7% of the 4,100 dealerships it currently operates nationwide.
GM’s push to bring in more minority dealership owners is one of the many ways company CEO Mary Barra is trying to transform the automaker into “the most inclusive company in the world,” as she said earlier this year. Barra also recently established a new Inclusion Advisory Board within GM, which she says will help educate its executive leadership team on racial injustice and other related issues.
“My personal commitment is to ensure that the leadership of General Motors, and by extension, the entire GM family, consistently remains aware of our responsibility to bring awareness to injustice,” Barra said in an employee letter announcing the new advisory council.
While the GM will be looking to further expand its catalog of minority-owned dealers in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult on even the most well-established of dealers – making the possibility of major growth in the sector unlikely in the near future.
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Comments
Good stuff.
It says something when 7% is the high water mark
So happy that it’s that little or something?, if minorites owed more certain people would complain “they’re taking our jobs”. You know some GM/Ford/FCA dealerships are in Black and Hispanic areas.