Key Takeaways
- DSMA has appointed Farah Mohammed as Director of Industry Relations for Canada, a newly created role focused on strengthening ties between dealerships and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
- Mohammed brings more than 15 years of industry experience spanning regulation, compliance, education, media, and stakeholder relations.
- In her new position she will act as the primary liaison with OEMs, help clients improve manufacturer relationships, and identify growth opportunities across the automotive sector.
- Her prior work at the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) centered on connecting dealerships, OEMs, and government stakeholders to foster collaboration.
- The appointment reflects DSMA’s response to evolving market conditions that pressure dealerships to deepen manufacturer partnerships and pursue long‑term growth strategies.
Overview of the Appointment
DSMA announced the creation of a new senior position, Director of Industry Relations for Canada, and named Farah Mohammed to fill it. The move signals the association’s intent to bolster its support network for members navigating a rapidly changing automotive landscape. By establishing a dedicated role focused on industry relations, DSMA aims to provide members with a direct conduit to OEMs and other key stakeholders, thereby enhancing collaborative opportunities and strategic insight.
About DSMA
The Dealer Service Manufacturers Association (DSMA) serves as a vital link between Canadian automotive dealers and the broader industry ecosystem. Through advocacy, education, and networking initiatives, DSMA helps its members address regulatory challenges, adopt best practices, and improve operational performance. The organization’s recent focus on deepening manufacturer relationships underscores its recognition that dealer success increasingly depends on aligned OEM strategies and transparent communication.
Details of Mohammed’s New Role
In her capacity as Director of Industry Relations, Mohammed will act as the primary liaison between DSMA members and original equipment manufacturers. She will support clients as they seek to improve manufacturer relationships, identify new growth avenues, and develop strategies that align dealer objectives with OEM priorities. The role is intentionally designed to be proactive, anticipating industry shifts and positioning dealers to capitalize on emerging opportunities before they become widespread challenges.
Responsibilities and Strategic Focus
Mohammed’s responsibilities include facilitating dialogue between dealerships and OEMs, coordinating joint initiatives that promote mutual understanding, and providing members with actionable intelligence on manufacturer programs, incentives, and policy changes. She will also work to uncover untapped market segments, support the development of long‑term growth plans, and help dealers navigate complex compliance landscapes. By concentrating on relationship‑driven engagement, she aims to translate trust into measurable business outcomes for DSMA’s clientele.
Professional Background and Expertise
Farah Mohammed brings over fifteen years of diversified experience to DSMA. Her career has spanned critical functional areas such as regulatory affairs, compliance management, industry education, media relations, and stakeholder engagement. This breadth equips her with a holistic view of the automotive sector, enabling her to anticipate how changes in one domain—such as new safety regulations—ripple through others like dealer training or consumer messaging.
Experience at the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council
Prior to joining DSMA, Mohammed served at the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC), where she cultivated extensive relationships across dealerships, OEMs, and government bodies. At OMVIC her work centred on creating platforms for dialogue, fostering collaboration among disparate industry participants, and supporting initiatives that enhance consumer protection and dealer professionalism. These achievements demonstrate her proven ability to bridge gaps between entities that often operate with differing priorities and timelines.
Statement on Relationships and Industry Insight
DSMA highlighted Mohammed’s reputation for a relationship‑driven approach and her track record of advancing collaboration within the sector. In announcing the appointment, the association quoted a company statement: “Strong relationships and trusted industry insight are critical in today’s automotive landscape.” This endorsement underscores the belief that Mohammed’s interpersonal skills and sector knowledge will be instrumental in helping members adapt to evolving market dynamics while maintaining productive OEM partnerships.
Industry Context and Challenges
The appointment arrives amid heightened pressure on Canadian dealerships to adapt to shifting consumer preferences, supply‑chain volatility, and accelerating technological change. OEMs are increasingly seeking partners who can provide localized market insights, execute brand‑consistent customer experiences, and comply with evolving environmental and safety regulations. Simultaneously, dealers must balance profitability with the need to invest in digital retailing, electric‑vehicle infrastructure, and after‑sales services. Strengthening OEM‑dealer ties is viewed as a strategic lever to navigate these complexities effectively.
Implications for Dealerships and OEMs
By placing a seasoned industry relations professional at the forefront of its member services, DSMA aims to deliver tangible benefits: clearer communication channels with manufacturers, faster access to incentive programs, and collaborative problem‑solving on issues such as warranty administration and recall management. For OEMs, the partnership offers a reliable conduit to gauge dealer sentiment, disseminate brand initiatives uniformly, and co‑create market‑specific strategies that drive sales and loyalty. Ultimately, Mohammed’s role is poised to enhance the synergy that underpins a resilient and competitive Canadian automotive marketplace.