Association Website

The association’s website, www.CATA.info, serves as the central membership resource portal for the CATA. Tailored specifically for new-car dealerships, the site functions as a comprehensive information hub. With just a click, users can access essential tools, forms and resources aimed at enhancing dealership operations. Full access to the site’s content is available exclusively to CATA members.

On the CATA website, you’ll find the following:

• Order dealer forms — including Odometer and Used Car Buyer’s Guides.
• CATA officers, board and staff.
• CATA office location.
• CATA meeting facilities.
• CATA Bulletins.
• Chicago Auto Outlook Sales Forecasts.
• Illinois Motor Vehicle Advertising Regulations.
• Illinois Motor Vehicle Franchise Act.
• Illinois Automotive Repair Act.
• Illinois Automotive Collision Repair Act.
• CATA attorney contacts.
• CATA legislative consultants.
• Employee relations counsel.
• Unemployment claims.
• Workplace posters.

CATA Auto Insider

Auto Insider is the CATA’s biweekly electronic newsletter designed to keep members informed about the latest industry news, legislative updates and regulatory developments that impact day-to-day operations. The content is relevant to multiple departments within your dealership and provides timely insights to support informed decision-making.

To subscribe or add team members to the distribution list, please contact Megan Plahm at mplahm@drivechicago.com.

Chicago Auto Outlook 

Chicago Auto Outlook is a quarterly report that provides CATA members with a comprehensive overview of market trends and performance indicators. Designed to help dealers benchmark the Chicago-area market against national sales data, the report offers valuable insights for strategic decision-making. In addition to regional and national comparisons, Chicago Auto Outlook includes data for in-depth personal analysis and highlights factors that may influence local sales. This ongoing historical record serves as a vital tool to support informed business decisions within our market. Chicago Auto Outlook is produced for the CATA by Auto Outlook Inc., an independent research company that analyzes statewide and regional automotive markets.

CATA Educational Seminars

CATA’s educational seminars offer a diverse range of in-person and virtual opportunities designed to inform and support members on key industry topics. Seminars address critical areas such as operational best practices, regulatory compliance and current legislative developments impacting the automotive industry. All seminars are provided at no cost to CATA members and are promoted through the CATA’s electronic newsletter as well as targeted announcements to ensure broad awareness and participation.

DriveChicago on WLS-AM 890

From new cars to classic cars, from racing to technology, the DriveChicago radio show delivers a lively and frank discussion of everything automotive. Hosted by longtime automotive expert Mark Bilek, enthusiast Jim OBrill and Ramblin’ Ray Stevens, it’s the only radio show in Chicagoland dedicated exclusively to the automotive world. Airing Saturdays at 8 a.m. on WLS-AM, DriveChicago radio delivers dynamic coverage of the automotive industry, featuring new-vehicle reviews, in-depth interviews with industry experts, tips for vehicle maintenance and insight into new trends and technologies.

Better Business Bureau

 The CATA continues to enjoy a strong relationship with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) office that serves Chicago and northern Illinois. One example of this relationship is the Advertising Review program, which the CATA established with the BBB. With the assistance of the BBB, CATA members have a clear understanding of dealer advertising standards in Illinois.

The BBB has worked hand in hand with the CATA in helping dealers with the Bureau’s “Letter Grading” system, which rates businesses on their honesty and fairness to customers.

Companies receive letter grades A+ through F, an update over the previous “satisfactory” or “unsatisfactory” ratings. A business must maintain a letter grade of B or higher to be eligible for accreditation, among multiple other factors. This system, the BBB reports, provides more specific information for businesses to find trustworthy suppliers and vendors and to provide a more precise guide to improve operations. The letter grades and a company’s accreditation status are displayed on the individual company profiles as well as in the BBB directory, which is all free and accessible at www.bbb.org.

Dealerships and other businesses can update the information used to calculate their ratings by going to www.bbb.org/chicago/login. The information will remain confidential and is the basis of providing accurate business profiles under the new rating system.

Consumers increasingly rely on customer reviews. Research suggests that most customers now have more confidence in online reviews than they do in direct word-of-mouth recommendations. The BBB has recognized both the confidence that consumers now place in reviews and the challenges that they create for our accredited businesses. The BBB now makes it easier than ever to request a customer review from a brand that consumers trust. Our free mobile review app is a BBB accreditation benefit that allows you to request a review from any mobile device with one click. Your customer can also write your review and submit it with one click. Contact Steve Bernas, the President and CEO of the BBB’s Chicago office, at sbernas@chicago.bbb.org for more information on how the BBB can assist your dealership in many ways.

Business Forms

As part of your membership benefits, the CATA provides a variety of essential forms required for the sale of new and used vehicles. Available forms include odometer disclosure statements, used car buyer’s guides, limited warranty statements for used vehicles and emission control equipment statements. Members can conveniently order these forms through the CATA online portal at CATA.info/sys/login.