The auto dealers, a major economic and social force
Environmentalists are urging the Harper government to make decisions in the upcoming days. Details of the Green Plan are long awaited. While automakers and dealers are asking for the status quo regarding the production of less polluting vehicles, the government must analyze several elements before making tough decisions that could jeopardize countless auto-related jobs in Canada. Mr. Harper's team has to consider the economic and social force the automakers, dealers and suppliers represent. The plan aims to conciliate the economic and environmental actions at stake.
The government has to remember that the 3,000-plus new car dealerships in Canada collectively employ more than 120,000 people. One dealership sells an average of 300 to 400 new cars annually. Some dealerships sell around 100, while others exceed the 1,000 mark. The average dealership has 30 employees and a payroll of more than one million dollars. In major cities, it's not hard to find more than 100 employees in a single dealership. Finally, one dealership spends on average 4.5 million dollars in the business (2.5 millions for the lot, facilities and equipments; 2.0 millions for vehicles and parts). Those are quite revealing numbers!
 |
| Stephen Harper's Green Plan is long awaited. |
The government has to remember that the 3,000-plus new car dealerships in Canada collectively employ more than 120,000 people. One dealership sells an average of 300 to 400 new cars annually. Some dealerships sell around 100, while others exceed the 1,000 mark. The average dealership has 30 employees and a payroll of more than one million dollars. In major cities, it's not hard to find more than 100 employees in a single dealership. Finally, one dealership spends on average 4.5 million dollars in the business (2.5 millions for the lot, facilities and equipments; 2.0 millions for vehicles and parts). Those are quite revealing numbers!