Members of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) faced more than their share of adversity in 2001. The association's longtime president, Frank McCarthy, died in February, the overall economy softened, and,

obviously, the tragedy of Sept. 11 took its toll on many dealers. But judging from the atmosphere at the association's 85th annual convention in New Orleans last month, the worst is over, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

The convention date change to accommodate the NFL's Super Bowl didn't seem to affect the

meeting in the least. Dealers and vendors from around the country changed their schedules and journeyed to the Crescent City a week earlier than originally scheduled.

Dealer profits grew in 2001, even though unit sales declined. NADA data found net profit for the new-vehicle department was about $175 per new vehicle retailed in 2001, compared with about $140 in 2000. Those amounts include finance and insurance income.

Used vehicles were more profitable than new in 2001, at about $230 per vehicle in 2001, compared with about $170 in 2000.

"By the long history of this organization, it was a good year, even considering the weak economy," said Paul Taylor, NADA chief economist.

The news isn't quite so good for the manufacturers, though. Although General Motors Corp. was profitable in 2001, its profits fell sharply. And Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler lost money for the year. Detroit's Big Three said marketing costs soared, placing part of the blame on zero percent financing during the

fourth quarter of 2001.