New-car dealers in Lehigh Valley, Pa., lined up Nov. 20 to be the first in the nation to endorse a revised code of ethics for the

industry, according to PennLive.com.

In ceremonies at the Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association board of directors meeting, the dealers signed copies of the National Automobile Dealers Association's new ethics vows, the first revision in nearly 20 years.

David F. Hyatt, executive director of public affairs for NADA, told the crowd that the ethics

guidelines weren't drawn in response to a broad range of corporate scandals of the past year. But the process still makes sense. "It's the

perfect time for us to raise our ethics," Hyatt said. Besides that, Hyatt told members of the GLVADA, "A good image is important to the

bottom line," PennLive.com reported.

Hyatt warned local dealers about the damage caused by one dissatisfied customer. "If one dealer mistreats a customer, it affects all dealers," he said. "It all starts in the showroom and the service department."