The National Automobile Dealers Association’s (NADA) 20 Group Program has announced that it has formed a partnership with Nissan North America, Inc. to provide service managers and dealers a forum for exchanging ideas to improve service profitability and management techniques.

According to NADA, the new partnership marks the first time that NADA’s 20 Group Program, has joined forces with a manufacturer to support service managers in improving business performance using the 20 Group meeting format.

"This arrangement opens up a constructive new dialogue on every facet of Nissan’s service operations, which will ultimately benefit everyone involved – the dealer, the automaker and the customer," said Jim Phillips, NADA 20 Group consultant. "We are confident it will serve as a model for future partnerships with service managers. Where else could you go and have 20 qualified consultants together all in one room?"

"This concept is an integral part of Nissan's Parts and Service Division strategy to prepare dealership service personal for the increased sales and service traffic anticipated as part of NISSAN 180, introduced by Carlos Ghosn this year," said Bill Bosley, vice president, Nissan Parts and Service Division. "The service forums provide Nissan's experienced service managers with an environment where they can hone their individual business skills and learn process improvements to enhance profitability and customer satisfaction."

NADA/Nissan Service Manager 20 Groups are being formed throughout the country. Each group will meet to discuss current service issues and future industry direction two to three times annually, guided by an experienced NADA facilitator, according to NADA.

The National Automobile Dealers Association represents more than 19,400 new car and truck dealers, with more than 49,300 separate franchises, both domestic and import.