Ethnic Automobile Associations Merge.

The National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD) and the National Association of Hispanic Automobile Dealers (NAHAD) have agreed to unite in their quest for parity, fairness and diversity in the automobile industry.

“Through the guidance of a higher power, a lot of hard work, and dedication to the larger goals of parity and fairness, we have been able to forge our swords into plowshares for all ethnic minorities in the automobile industry,” said NAMAD’s Chairman, H. Steve Harrell, Sr. “On this day honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I am pleased that we can now move forward, unified in purpose. This is truly a tribute to all of those who refused to see the world in the narrow spectrums that artificially divide us.”

NAMAD, a 23 year-old non-profit organization representing all ethnic minorities in the automobile industry based in Lanham, Maryland and NAHAD, a two-year old organization representing Latino/Hispanic Americans, have had intense discussions and negotiations for more than eighteen months as to how the two organizations could join forces to effectively and efficiently represent Latino/Hispanic Americans. Among other things, six members of NAHAD will immediately become members of NAMAD’s Board of Directors. “NAMAD has illustrated through its actions that they will always remain the premier organization that represents the dreams and goals of all ethnic minorities in the car business,” said Lou Sobh, Chairman of NAHAD. “These changes only confirm the broadened impact of the Latino/Hispanic dollar. Combine these with the economic influence of African Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans, and we have now have an unbeatable team.” Marty Cumba, Vice
President of NAHAD and a former NAMAD Chairman, added “Attaining this agreement has been a difficult, but necessary, road for us to travel as we establish a new paradigm for all ethnic minorities in the automobile industry. I look forward to continuing to work with Chairman Harrell and all of NAMAD’s Board of Directors, supporters and friends.”

Chairman Harrell added, “I would be remiss if I did not include the significant contributions of The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Raul Yzaguirre’s and George Hererra’s equanimity and leadership helped to guide all of us toward this day. Also, NAMAD’s ethnic minority caucus, particularly Latino Caucus Chairman Sil Gonzales, assisted in educating me about the specific issues affecting Latino/Hispanic Americans.”