Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automotive News Europe
  • Automotive News China
  • Automobilwoche
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • login
  • HOME
  • News
    • News by Brand
    • Auto Shows
    • Photo Galleries
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • Retail
    • Dealer Best Practices
    • Government Relations
    • Trade and Tariffs
    • Technology
    • Labour
    • 1-pathfinder.png
      view gallery
      13 photos
      New vehicles are shouting their names out loud
      NUtoyota1.jpg
      view gallery
      7 photos
      2022 Toyota GR 86
      hummersuv_1.jpg
      view gallery
      4 photos
      2024 GMC Hummer SUV Edition 1
      bronco_moab.jpg
      view gallery
      10 photos
      Ford Bronco Easter Moab concepts
    • 1PLANT-MAIN_i.jpg
      How suppliers and automakers saved the industry amid a pandemic
      Automakers, suppliers tackle new crises together
      HONDA_20190508_FINAL.jpg
      Honda, Toyota most preferred by suppliers
      Lawsuit challenges Trump's authority on steel, auto tariffs
    • Vaccine Vial
      Suppliers working on vaccination sites in Ontario, but 'it's a fluid discussion'
      5AMBASSADOR-MAIN_i.jpg
      Canada-U.S. trade faces 'critical moment' that demands urgent action, businesses warn
      Britishvolt teaser image web.jpg
      Britishvolt eyes Canada for home to new battery factory
      5AMBASSADOR-MAIN_i.jpg
      Ottawa mulls exempting auto workers from Canada-U.S. border shutdown
    • New Hyundai Dealership Sign
      Hyundai Canada commits to adding more Black dealers to its network
      HGregoire President John Hairabedian
      Why dealers are wading into the murky waters of cryptocurrency
      Dealers want post-pandemic investment in IT, not showrooms
      Windsor
      Automakers, dealers could look to the service sector to fill jobs
    • Cumberland Honda in Amherst, N.S.
      Dealing with provincial border closures caused by COVID-19
      Luxury dealers break new ground with online purchasing, servicing tools
      Digital greeter named Janus pre-screens showroom customers for COVID-19
      How a small-town GM store casts a wide net to land customers and stay successful
    • GenesisG70-MAIN_i.jpg
      Hyundai recalls more than 100,000 Genesis luxury vehicles for possible fire risk
      5AMBASSADOR-MAIN_i.jpg
      U.S., Canadian execs lobby for USMCA relief
      6NAFTA-5.jpg
      Some Mexican automakers want more time to meet USMCA rules, official says
      Japan Prius prod 20 web.jpg
      Japan may ban sales of new ICE vehicles in mid-2030s, report says
    • 5AMBASSADOR-MAIN_i.jpg
      Canada-U.S. trade faces 'critical moment' that demands urgent action, businesses warn
      5AMBASSADOR-MAIN_i.jpg
      Ottawa mulls exempting auto workers from Canada-U.S. border shutdown
      5AMBASSADOR-MAIN_i.jpg
      Dispute brewing over USMCA rules
      Canadian Pacific Train Engine
      How pending rail merger could aid North American auto industry
    • GMMaps-MAIN_i.jpg
      GM expects to launch new in-vehicle navigation system in Canada later this year
      Porsche, Apple Music partner on infotainment
      Vietnam-tied hackers said to target auto industry
      Vehicle screens go super-sized at CES as tech catches up
    • Wuhan honda prod web.jpg
      Automakers push to reopen plants with testing and lots of masks
      Ford, UAW reach tentative pact in U.S. with billions worth of investment
      GM Canada says it will find 2,400 jobs for Oshawa workers
      FCA to idle Ontario minivan plant for 8 days, union says
    • Aston Martin
    • BMW
      • Mini
      • Rolls Royce
    • Daimler
      • Mercedes Benz
      • Smart
    • Fiat Chrysler
      • Alfa Romeo
      • Chrysler
      • Dodge
      • Ferrari
      • Fiat
      • Jeep
      • Lancia
      • Maserati
      • Ram
    • Ford
      • Lincoln
    • General Motors
      • Buick
      • Cadillac
      • Chevrolet
      • GMC
    • Honda
      • Acura
    • Hyundai
      • Kia
    • Mazda
    • Mitsubishi
    • Nissan
      • Infiniti
    • Subaru
    • Tata
      • Jaguar
      • Land Rover
    • Tesla
    • Toyota
      • Lexus
    • Volkswagen
      • Audi
      • Bentley
      • Bugatti
      • Lamborghini
      • Porsche
    • Volvo
    • Toronto Auto Show
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Do automakers prioritize U.S. inventory over Canadian stock?
      BrightDrop.jpg
      Big questions remain when it comes to GM's $1-billion CAMI plant
      Bosch_information_domain_computer web.jpg
      Bosch, Continental battle to supply the brain of the connected car
      Unifor exceeded its goals during Detroit 3 talks
  • Canada Conversations
  • EVENTS & AWARDS
    • 2019 Canadians To Watch
    • 2019 Auto News Canada All Stars
    • Best Dealership To Work For
    • Register for the 2021 Best Dealership To Work For
    • Canada Congress Conversations
    • Retail Forum: Dealer Discussions
    • Leading Women Roundtables
    • Dealerships reboot for millennials
      Communication is key to keeping dealership family together
      How giving back to their communities helps dealerships succeed
      Green dealerships good for business and for hiring
    • Embrace millennials and technology or be left behind, dealers warned
      walker.jpg
      Magna CEO says USMCA will mean 'more jobs, more investment' in Canada
      Top auto execs to address industry upheaval at 2020 Canada Congress
      VIDEO: Why Ford's Hinrichs is bullish on USMCA
  • Jobs & Classifieds
  • +MORE
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
    • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
    • WEBINARS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • CONTACT US
    • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Executives
April 05, 2021 02:58 PM

Hyundai Canada commits to adding more Black dealers to its network

'I have not one Black dealer out there. Not one. And that's an embarrassment,' says Hyundai Canada CEO Don Romano

Stephanie Wallcraft
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    New Hyundai Dealership Sign
    GREG LAYSON

    Hyundai Auto Canada has become the first Canadian automaker to sign on to the BlackNorth Initiative, which, among other things, will see the company recruit dealer principals of colour.

    CEO Don Romano said that as some veteran dealers are retiring and looking to sell their businesses, Hyundai Canada is planning to seek out people of colour, and specifically Black candidates, to purchase those dealerships.

    “No one is going to tell me that there aren’t aspiring young Black entrepreneurs that would be phenomenal dealers to help us move into the future,” Romano said.

    The BlackNorth Initiative encourages commitment from Canadian business leaders to ending anti-Black racism within their organizations and in society.

    Romano said adding his name to the list of signatories reflects his acknowledgement of the need to increase equity and opportunities for Black Canadians.

    “[Black] representation on boards, in corporation executive positions, is not adequate … and if you look at the automotive industry, it's even worse,” said Romano, who signed BlackNorth’s CEO pledge in December. “I have not one Black dealer out there. Not one. And that's an embarrassment.”

    Romano also joined the initiative’s Education Committee, which is headed by Gervan Fearon, president of Brock University, and has a mandate of increasing equity for Black students in Canada’s education system.

    Romano said his decision to join BlackNorth stemmed from a conversation with Maria Soklis, president of Cox Automotive Canada. Soklis was the first Canadian automotive industry leader to sign the BlackNorth pledge in November 2020.

    “I guess you could say she made me ‘woke,’” Romano said. “I started doing my research and realized this is exactly what's wrong with our industry, that we are not acknowledging this issue and we’re not doing anything about it.”

    Hyundai Canada is also actively engaging with Accelerate Auto, a not-for-profit association launched in February to combat anti-Black racism and increase opportunity for Black Canadians in the automotive industry. Joyce Tshiamala, district manager for Hyundai Canada, is a founding member of Accelerate Auto.

    Romano said both organizations play important roles for the auto sector: Accelerate Auto addresses change within the industry directly, while BlackNorth allows the industry to play a role in effecting change in society more broadly.

    As a result of these initiatives, Hyundai Canada has set internal goals for increasing Black representation in various ways, including: working with post-secondary institutions such as Georgian College to establish scholarships for Black students seeking opportunities in the industry; making internships available to a more diverse set of candidates; setting baseline requirements for the number of women and people of colour who must be interviewed for open positions; and establishing internal training programs to increase awareness of issues.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    How to achieve racial equity in auto: Start by seeing us
    Recommended for You
    How to achieve racial equity in auto: Start by seeing us
    How to achieve racial equity in auto: Start by seeing us
    Rolls-Royce names Matthew Wilson its Canada GM as it eyes record sales
    Rolls-Royce names Matthew Wilson its Canada GM as it eyes record sales
    Tim Dimopoulos joins Automotive News Canada as publisher
    Digital Edition
    View latest issue
    See our archive
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up today for our Weekly Newsletter, Daily Newsletter and Breaking News Alerts. We'll deliver the news you need to know straight to your inbox.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Subscribe Now

    An Automotive News Canada subscription includes 12 monthly issues – delivered in print to your doorstep, and digitally to your inbox – plus unlimited, 24/7 access to our website.

    Subscribe Now
    Connect With Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Our Mission

    The Automotive News Canada mission is to be the primary source of industry news, data and understanding for the industry's decision-makers interested in Canada.

    Contact Us

    PO Box 243
    Station A
    Windsor, ON
    N9A 6K7

    1-877-812-1257

    Email Us

    ISSN 2475-5001 (print)
    ISSN 2475-501X (online)

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Digital Edition Archive
    • Advertise with Us
    • Reprints
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Canada
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
    • News
      • News by Brand
        • Aston Martin
        • BMW
          • Mini
          • Rolls Royce
        • Daimler
          • Mercedes Benz
          • Smart
        • Fiat Chrysler
          • Alfa Romeo
          • Chrysler
          • Dodge
          • Ferrari
          • Fiat
          • Jeep
          • Lancia
          • Maserati
          • Ram
        • Ford
          • Lincoln
        • General Motors
          • Buick
          • Cadillac
          • Chevrolet
          • GMC
        • Honda
          • Acura
        • Hyundai
          • Kia
        • Mazda
        • Mitsubishi
        • Nissan
          • Infiniti
        • Subaru
        • Tata
          • Jaguar
          • Land Rover
        • Tesla
        • Toyota
          • Lexus
        • Volkswagen
          • Audi
          • Bentley
          • Bugatti
          • Lamborghini
          • Porsche
        • Volvo
      • Auto Shows
        • Toronto Auto Show
      • Photo Galleries
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • Retail
      • Dealer Best Practices
      • Government Relations
      • Trade and Tariffs
      • Technology
      • Labour
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
    • Canada Conversations
    • EVENTS & AWARDS
      • 2019 Canadians To Watch
      • 2019 Auto News Canada All Stars
      • Best Dealership To Work For
      • Register for the 2021 Best Dealership To Work For
      • Canada Congress Conversations
      • Retail Forum: Dealer Discussions
      • Leading Women Roundtables
    • Jobs & Classifieds
    • +MORE
      • NEWSLETTERS
      • SUBSCRIBE
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
      • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
      • WEBINARS
      • ADVERTISE WITH US
      • CONTACT US
      • DIGITAL EDITION