Motor Vehicle Industry Overview - Industry Resources - June 2004

Auto CPA Group

A nation wide association of CPA firms that specializes in providing services to auto dealerships.
Downloadable newsletter.
Links to manufacturers’ sites.

Auto Team America

A consortium of CPAs serving the auto dealership community.
Contains analysis, member firms, and information on conferences and meetings.

Auto World

Contains news, informational databases, and reviews on activity in the original equipment manufacturing industry.

Automobile Magazine

News, buying guides, layman’s manual, industry events

Automotive Digest

Coverage of significant events and activities in the automotive industry including manufacturing and dealerships.

Automotive Engine Rebuilders’ Association (AERA)

Provides consumer information, convention information and registration, technical information, and links to other sites.

Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association

Sponsor of the University of the Aftermarket
Advocates for automotive warehouses

Automotive Executive Magazine

Official magazine of the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Current news and information plus archives of older articles.

Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG)

A volunteer organization that addresses industry issues in supply, manufacturing, engineering, quality, and finance.
Site contains industry news, information on upcoming conferences, publications, and links to other sites.

Automotive News

Published by Crain Communications, Automotive News is a respected source of new affecting the entire automotive industry.
Portions of the website are accessible only to those who subscribe to the magazine.
Public information includes daily news, events, and links to other industry sites.

Automotive-general

A publication of the Detroit Free Press, the site contains daily industry coverage, reviews, and links to other sites.

Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association

Provides news, events, classified ads, and links to other sites.

Autopedia

An automotive encyclopedia.
The site contains information related to autos, boats, trucks, minivans, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, and sport utilities.

Car Connection:

In-depth analysis, concept vehicle photos, maintenance questions answered, links to other sites.

Edmund’s Vehicle Guides

New and used car and truck prices.
Consumer Advice.
Safety Advice.
Information on holdback, current rebates and incentives.

LIFO Systems, Inc

Specializes exclusively in LIFO accounting.
Contains general LIFO news and automotive LIFO news.
Copies of relevant LIFO rulings.
“Learn LIFO” - frequently asked questions on general LIFO and automotive LIFO.
Contains forms needed for LIFO such as Form 970, Form 3115.

Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association

Provides news and research material related to automobile manufacturers.

NADA

NADA Official Pricing Guides

Published by the National Auto Dealers Association, the NADA guide is a leading source of new and used car pricing information.
The site contains low, average, and high retail values for vehicles.
Wholesale prices are not included in the web site but are included in the guide available for purchase.
Available prices include automobiles, trucks, boats, recreational vehicles, aircraft, and “power sports.”  
Power sports include motorcycles, snowmobiles, personal watercraft and ATVs.

National Automobile Dealers Assoc.  (NADA)

NADA represents over 19,600 franchised new car and new truck dealerships holding almost 40,000 domestic and import franchises.  
The site contains news, consumer information, and industry data.

National Independent Auto Dealer Association

NIADA represents independent automobile dealerships.
Independent dealers are generally non-franchised used car dealers.

Office for the Study of Automotive Transportation

Part of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.
Site offers research, articles, news, notices of conferences, and links to other sites.

Production Engine Remanufacturers Association

Provides information on the annual convention, technical information, training information, and links to other sites.

Society of Automotive Engineers

Provides technical information for automotive engineers, information on the annual convention, and continuing professional education.

Willard DeFilipps, CPA

Consultant to auto dealer CPAs.
Publishes Dealer Tax Watch, LIFO Lookout, and Dealer Directions.
Information of conferences and seminars.
Links to other sites.
Various - Each manufacturer/distributor, many dealerships and accounting firms have their own website that offer information and links to other sites.

Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM)

1001 19^th Street North; Suite 1200
Arlington VA 22209

Trade association that represents United States subsidiaries of international automobile companies doing business in the United States.
Members include: American Honda, American Suzuki, Daewoo Motor America, Hyundai Motor America, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Nissan North America, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. and others.
Provides information, analysis, guidance, and advocacy on global business issues, including taxation.

Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association (AERA)

330 Lexington Drive; Buffalo Grove IL 60089-6998

A non-for-profit trade association serving the engine rebuilder/remanufacturing industry, machine shops, equipment parts and services suppliers. 

Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG)

26200 Lasher Road, Suite 200; Southfield, MI 48034

A volunteer organization that addresses industry issues in supply, manufacturing, engineering, quality, and finance.
The group works toward improving trading partner relationships, developing new technologies, provides member training, and provides an opportunity for members to discuss common issues.
Operates a truck and heavy equipment sub-group.

Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association (APRA)

4401 Fair Lakes Court, Suite 210; Fairfax, Virginia 22033-3848

Represents rebuilders of small parts such as brakes
Advocates remanufacturing as an “earth friendly” operation
Advocate for favorable tax consideration

Automotive Parts & Service Alliance (APSA)

4600 East-West Highway, Suite #300; Bethesda, MD 20814

A combined government affairs advocacy group made up of  the Automotive Parts & Accessories Association (APAA), the Automotive Service Industry Association (ASIA) and the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), 

Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association

9140 Ward Parkway, Suite 200; Kansa City Mo. 64114

A membership organization of warehouse distributors and their respective suppliers of parts, accessories tools and other supplies for the automotive aftermarket. 

Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Assoc

10 Laboratory Drive; P O Box 13966; Research Triangle Park; NC 27709

MEMA is the only national vehicle products association whose members are exclusively manufacturers. 
The Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association, MEMA's Heavy Duty Division, the only national trade group representing manufacturers of product or products that service Class 6 and above trucks, buses, tractors, and off-road equipment. 

National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)

8400 Westpark Drive; McLean Virginia 22102

Represents franchised new car and truck dealerships.
Provides counsel on legal and regulatory matters.
Represents dealers on Capitol Hill.
Develops research data on the automobile industry.
Operates training and service programs to improve dealership business operations, sales, and service practices. 

Production Engine Remanufacturers Assoc

415 W Golf Rd; Suite 43; Arlington Heights IL 60005

The organization’s primary purpose is to give its members the information they need to produce remanufactured engines equal or superior to original engines in quality and performance

Society of Automotive Engineers; SAE World Headquarters

400 Commonwealth Drive; Warrendale, PA 15096-0001 USA

An organization that provides technical information and expertise used in designing, building, maintaining, and operating self-propelled vehicles for use on land or sea, in air or space.
State and Local Automobile Dealer Associations
Various - Affiliated with NADA and provides similar services on a state and local level.

Auto World

Monthly - Subscription – Free

Wards Communication.
Provides news and analysis of the original equipment manufacturing industry.

Automotive News

Weekly - Subscription - $114

Published by Crain Communications.
Contains news and information related to the entire automotive industry including manufacturing and dealerships.

Car Dealer Insider

Monthly - Subscriptions - $319 per year

Newsletter. 

Dealer Business

Monthly -  Subscription - Free

Published by Intertec Publishing Company -Wards Communications.
Contains information pertinent to auto dealerships.
Publishes a list of the Top 100 megadealers and Top 500 dealers annually.

Automotive Executive

Monthly -  Subscription - $24 per year

Published by the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Contains news and information related to the auto dealership industry.

Part IV Subsection 42(14)

Income Tax Examinations

Industry specialization has been established to ensure uniform and consistent treatment of issues nationwide and to provide better identification and development of issues.

Part IV Subsection 42(14)2

Income Tax Examination

Provides an overall description of the industry specialization program.

Part IV Subsection 42(14)5.21

Income Tax Examination

Instructions to the District Case Managers examining cases within an industry including:

• Be directly advised by the Technical Adviser (previously - Industry Specialist) when their case has been included as an identified industry case.
• Be regularly provided with the Technical Adviser (previously – ISP) Digest.
• Advise the Technical Adviser (previously - Industry Specialist) of any CEP case that is engaged in the business activity of an ISP that is not an identified industry case.
• Consult with the appropriate Technical Adviser (previously -Industry Specialist) for planning input on industry cases.
• Consult with the appropriate Technical Adviser (previously - Industry Specialist) prior to submitting a Request for Technical Advice on industry issues.
• Follow the decisions on coordinated issues formulated by the Technical Adviser (previously - Industry Specialist).
• Resolution of a coordinated issue on a basis different than that formulated by the Technical Adviser (previously - Industry Specialist) requires approval of the Adviser and the National Industry coordinator.
• Decisions to avoid pursuit of a coordinated issue also require the concurrence of the Adviser

Part IV Subsection 42(14)5.22

Income Tax Examination

Instructions to group managers examining cases within an industry including:

• Be regularly provided with the Technical Adviser (previously – ISP) Digest.
• Ensure that coordinated issues are included in the examination plan.
• Ensure that examiners review digests and consult with Specialist when appropriate.
• Consult with the appropriate Technical Adviser (previously - Industry Specialist) prior to submitting a Request for Technical Advice on industry issues.
• Follow the decisions on coordinated issues formulated by the Technical Adviser (previously - Industry Specialist).
• Resolution of a coordinated issue on a basis different than that formulated by the Specialist requires approval of the Specialist and the National Industry coordinator.
• Decisions to avoid pursuit of a coordinated issue also require the concurrence of the Technical Adviser.

New Vehicle Dealership Audit Technique Guide

Used Car Dealership Audit Technique Guide

Included in Retail Guide

• The guide is a joint effort of IRS and the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association.
• Issued identified include method of:
  • accounting;
  • underreporting of income;
  • incorrect inventory valuation;
  • independent contractor vs. employee issues;
  • personal use of business cars; 
  • and related Finance Companies. 

Cost Segregation Audit Technique Guide

Provides assistance to examiners in the proper evaluation of depreciation if the taxpayer has segregated the costs associated with large purchases to accelerate the depreciation deductions.