From the Detroit News
Rainbow PUSH Coalition leaders Wednesday urged automakers to add more African-American automotive dealers and African-American suppliers during an annual summit in Detroit.
Of the about 18,000 dealers in the U.S., just 261 were owned by African-Americans at the end of last year – down from about 750 before the recession, according to the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers. Just two had been added as of July this year, said Damon Lester, president of the association, speaking at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s Global Automotive Summit.
“Opportunities are not being awarded to us,†Lester said.
General Motors Co. has a goal to add 25 minority dealers this year, though executives would not say how many GM has added so far.