The nation's auto dealers are spending thousands, sometimes more than a million dollars, to upgrade showrooms and service garages, but the head of the organization that represents most of them believes automakers

ought to share a greater portion of those costs, according to the Detroit News.

"Manufacturers have to be realistic in the expenses and costs they impose on the dealership

network," said National Automobile Dealers

Association Chairman H. Carter Myers III. "It seems like daily they pass costs on to the dealer and I think we need to resolve that."

That's part of the message the Virginia dealer brought to Detroit Oct. 8 when he addressed the

Automotive Press Association. Myers said dealers remain bullish, with recent sales buoyed by lavish incentive programs that are costing the automakers millions of dollars, but driving showroom traffic.

The downturn in the economy has indirectly had a positive effect on vehicle sales, with consumers pulling out of the stock market and perhaps buying a new car or truck instead. "It's a little backlash on intangibles like stocks or securities. Why not spend money on a car or truck to enjoy today?" said Myers, according to the Detroit News.