There were 933,500 workers employed at U.S. new car and truck dealerships in 2011, a 4.6 percent increase from the previous year, according to NADA Data 2012, the National Automobile Dealers Association’s latest state-of-the-industry report on dealership financial trends. The increase in employee hiring occurred as the number of dealerships, which had declined in recent years, continued to stabilize. In the first quarter of 2012, there was an increase of 66 dealerships on a net basis. In 2011, the average new-car dealership employed 53 workers and had an annual payroll of $2.6 million. Dealerships also provided an average 14.5 percent of total retail payroll in their states in 2011. The report, just as New Jersey’s own Economic Impact Document, also noted that “franchised dealers are significant contributors to their communities’ economies, tax bases and civic and charitable organizations.” To access the full report, visit www.nada.org/nadadata, click on “NADA DATA 2012” button at the right side of the page.