The Jamaica Used Car Dealers Association (JUCDA) is stepping into the breach left by new-car dealers and will, this weekend, stage its first auto show - albeit a smaller version of past events.

The Automobile Dealers Association (ADA) cancelled its 2009 show, citing the market's downturn and lagging sales, parking what would have been a $10-million event.

"I did not agree with the cancellation," said Ian Lyn, the new president of JUCDA, as well as member of the ADA.

"I thought it would be a great opportunity for us to reconnect with our customers."

Chance to shine

Lyn, the general manager of New Line Motors, a dealership which sells used and new vehicles, said used-car dealers are not normally included in the ADA event, but that the cancellation of the annual show was their opportunity to shine.

"I thought it was a chance of a lifetime," Lyn said.

JUCDA is spending $1.5 million on the event.

A total of 14 dealers were said to be confirmed up to Thursday, including some new-car sellers, as well as securities companies and banks, for the show to be held Saturday and Sunday at the Police Officers' Club on Hope Road, St Andrew.

Each participant pays $50,000 to exhibit their products and services.

Lyn, who last week Thursday, October 22, replaced Kenneth Shaw as JUCDA boss, says the show is meant to restimulate the market.

"We are not only putting on an auto festival for patrons to look at cars, we will be there ready to trade," he said.

ADA strategy

The plan contrasts with the ADA strategy, for which the auto expo, which had its beginnings in the 1960s, was a marketing tool.

Kent LaCroix, who was returned for a fifth term as president of the ADA in July, blamed the cancellation on the prevailing economic downturn and the heavily discounted prices at which the dealers had to be selling.

But Lyn, who worked with the Issa Transport Group in sales and marketing before his recruitment by New Line - which distributes the Chinese-made Chery QQ - believes he can leverage business out of the event.

"If you look at the deals on the used car market, you can get a car for $1 million or $2 million cheaper, than a new one, " he contends, "so I want to bring a level of dynamism and action to it, letting our customers know that they can spend less money, and sometimes get a better car, especially in these difficult times."

This might set him on a collision course with LaCroix, with whom Lyn has had a history of run-ins. But the JUCDA head does not agree.

"I extended the olive branch and I believe it has been accepted," he said. "He was at the elections and we shook hands, and I am sure we can work together."

mark.titus@gleanerjm.com