Industry Associations

United States Marines riding in a truck during a parade — *Automotive Trade Association parade, Wash. D.C.* June 28, 1919. National Photo Company Collection. Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division.

Early automotive associations provided drivers with legal and mechanical information for traveling safely. They lobbied for better roads, at times teaming up with bicyclists, and demanded uniform road laws across the country. At the same time, automobile clubs sponsored races to test vehicle handling and speed. Antique car clubs started in the 1930s, with interests in preservation, registration, or social clubs. Some clubs are niche and focus on a particular type of vehicle or inventor.¹

While social clubs and antique car clubs still exist, many current associations are focused on the business interests of national and international automotive industries, ranging from manufacturers to dealers to parts suppliers. Recent automotive trade shows are shifting towards mobility of all types, instead of just gasoline-powered vehicles,² and industry associations are involved in supply chain concerns, fuel efficiency, technological innovations, and automotive care.

In this section, you'll find a comprehensive list of associations and organizations associated with the automobile industry.

The following links are to information from current automobile association websites.

Alliance for Automotive Innovation External
Formed by the 2020 combination of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (Auto Alliance) and the Association of Global Automakers (Global Automakers). The Economic Impact section has information on the economic impact of the automotive industry in the United States and in individual states.
American Automobile Association (AAA) External
Founded in 1902, AAA is a collection of regional auto groups, each with their own websites and publications. AAA membership is geared toward motorists, and provides membership services.
Auto Care Association External
"The Auto Care Association is the voice for the auto care industry—a coast-to-coast network of 500,000 independent manufacturers, distributors, parts stores and repair shops offering quality, choice and innovation for drivers."
Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) External
There are more than 1,600 member companies include North American, European and Asia-Pacific OEMs and suppliers to the automotive industry represented by the AIAG. There is a store for purchasing books, software, marketing lists, etc. for purchase.
Electric Vehicle Association External
The Electric Vehicle Association (formerly the Electric Auto Association) is North America’s leading volunteer organization that accelerates the adoption of electric vehicles by supporting its 100 chapters and thousands of members as they educate their communities about the benefits of driving electric.
Electric Vehicle Research Center External
The Center collaborates closely with California utilities, automakers, regulators, and other research institutions such as the Electric Power Research Institute and Argonne National Lab on research aimed at developing a sustainable market for plug-in vehicles.
European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) External
Association des Constructeurs Européens d'Automobiles (ACEA) is the professional body representing the interests and combined skills of thirteen European car, truck and bus manufacturers at European level and throughout the world. The Auto Data section has documents on Automotive Key Figures, motor vehicle registration *by country/type and group/type), imports/exports, accidents, vehicles in use, and production. There is a nice Links section to members and associated organizations as well as a Publications section with free and for purchase publications and a Position Papers section.
German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) External
The VDA consists partly of automobile manufacturers and their development partners, the suppliers, and partly of the manufacturers of trailers, body superstructures and containers. The web site includes an Annual Report which discusses the events that it considers to be the most important over the last automotive year and gives its own comments on them as well as providing other useful information. The site is in German and English.
Global Automakers of CanadaExternal
The GAC represents before federal, provincial and territorial governments the interests of members engaged in the manufacturing, importation, distribution and servicing of light duty vehicles.
Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) External
JAMA is a nonprofit industry association currently comprised of 14 manufacturers of passenger cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles in Japan. The Statistics section allows for database-like searching on production, exports, and sales/registrations data covering some historical data and downloadable into different formats. Their Publications section does have some free information to publications like Japan Auto Trends.
Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA) External
KAMA is a non-profit organization, representing the interests of automakers in Korea. There is a nice Reports & Statistics section that does contain some free data on exports, sales, registrations, forecasts, and production. This site is in English as well as Korean.
Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) External
Formed in 1904, MEMA is the trade association for motor vehicle and mobility suppliers and parts manufacturers and remanufacturers.
National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) External
A national association representing national franchised new car and truck dealers in legal and legislative affairs. Inclueds the NADA car guides as well as various reports and NADA data in the Newsroom Section and links to the various state/local automobile dealers associations.
Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles (OICA) External
Founded in 1919 and also referred to as the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, OICA is made up of more than 35 trade associations around the world.
Pollution Probe External
Pollution Probe is a Canadian charitable environmental organization. Working productively with governments, industry and the public, with a steadfast commitment to Clean Air, Clean Water, and a Healthy Planet.
Society of Automotive Analysts (SAA) External
The SAA is a not-for-profit professional association comprised of more than 600 automotive industry analysts. SAA's main focus is to provide state-of-the-art education and superior networking opportunities to its members.The Market Analysis section has some free, mostly historical, articles as well as access to other material for members and the Automotive Links section has links to various companies, organizations, etc.
Society of Automotive Engineering International External
SAE is a non-profit educational and scientific organization dedicated to advancing mobility technology to better serve humanity. SAE is a global association of more than 128,000 engineers and related technical experts in the aerospace, automotive and commercial vehicle industries.
Zero Emission Transportation Association (ZETA) External
Electric vehicle group that advocates for a full adoption of electric vehicles by 2030.

Notes

Grace R. Brigham, "Those Elusive Vehicles, Chapter 4: Associations and Clubs," Automotive History Review, Fall 1998 (33), 30-36. Back to text
Jack Ewing, "What Car Shows May Look Like, if Car Shows Have a Future," New York Times, Sept 10, 2021. Back to text

Automotive Industry: A Research Guide

Industry Associations

Notes