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Association of Global Automakers (Global Automakers), formerly known as the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) is an American trade association whose members include international car and light duty truck manufacturers that build and sell products in the United States. While historically most of the association's members imported all of their products into the United States, as of 2010, nearly 40% of autos manufactured in the U.S. are produced by Global Automakers’ members. The organization provides member companies with advocacy services, analysis and information on U.S. laws and regulations that impact the automotive industry.

The group was officially formed in 1965 under the name Automobile Importers of America (AIA) and its primary purpose was to share technical, regulatory information regarding the requirements for designing vehicles for sale in the United States. Global Automakers is located in Washington, D.C. and its current president is Michael J. Stanton. As of January 2011 the organization represents 15 international manufacturers, including Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai and Kia.

Challenging trade restrictions

In its early years, as the Automobile Importers of America (AIA), the organization provided member companies with information on changes to U.S. state and federal regulations that affected the automotive industry. AIA evolved into the primary advocacy resource for many major vehicle importers in the 1970s, opposing trade restrictions and other protectionist laws and regulations that adversely impacted its members.

Fuel shortages in the U.S. in the early 1970s led to increased market share for imported vehicles, which were often more fuel-efficient. In response to this trend, Ford Motor Company and the United Auto Workers union accused importers of dumping and unfair trading, and took their claims to trade authorities. AIA represented the importers and succeeded in having the case dismissed in 1975, arguing that other factors led to the market-share changes.

AIA's original president, Ralph Millet, was succeeded by George Nield in 1977. In the following decades, the organization helped its members formulate and defend a free trade position against legislative and regulatory developments that discriminated against international automakers in favor of traditional American automobile companies. In 1994, AIAM successfully fought the classification of the Nissan Pathfinder as a cargo vehicle, which effectively raised the import tariff on this and similar vehicles from 2.5% to 25% based on a 1989 law. During the 1990s, AIAM opposed a move by the Clinton administration to impose a 100% tariff on 13 luxury vehicles imported from Japan.

Current era

Starting in the 1980s, international automobile companies that were traditionally importers began opening new manufacturing plants in the U.S., leading to an expansion in the organization's lobbying focus. Also reflecting the increase in U.S. domestic manufacturing, in 1990 the organization changed its name to the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM). In 1992, Philip A. Hutchinson Jr. was appointed as the association's third president.

During the last decade, one of the organization’s primary roles has been developing positions for its members on fuel efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions and developing and supporting harmonized safety regulations and standards. In particular, the association favors a single national program aimed at reducing tailpipe-emissions and improving fuel economy and supports the Obama administration's proposed changes to CAFE standards. The organization has also been involved in efforts to introduce greater restrictions throughout the U.S. on using hand-held devices to text while driving, in order to increase driver safety. In addition, the organization continues to provide advocacy and information to member companies on a range of legislative and regulatory matters affecting the automotive industry.

In 2000, Tim MacCarthy became president of AIAM. He was succeeded by Michael J. Stanton in 2006. In 2011 the organization changed its name to Global Automakers. As of 2011 Global Automakers represents 15 international manufacturers, including Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai and Kia, and member companies employed 81,000 Americans, with U.S. production-facility investments totalling $45 billion. According to Global Automakers, as of 2010, its members account for 44% of all vehicles sold in the U.S and nearly 40% of vehicles manufactured in the U.S.

References

1. ^ "Global Automakers' Stanton Calls For Coordinated Regulatory Processes to Encourage Efficiencies". States News Service. 27 January 2011.
2. ^ Kurylko, Diana T. (30 October 1989). "Importers shift focus from trade to clean air and CAFE". Automotive News.
3. ^ Henry, Jim (30 July 2002). "Ralph Millet, who brought Saab to U.S., dies". Automotive News.
4. Bennet, James (8 September 1994). "Ruling May Further Open U.S. Auto Market to Japan". The New York Times.
5. Klein, Alec Matthew; Simmons, Melody (18 May 1995). "Japanese trade fight alarms dealers". The Baltimore Sun.
6. Mouchard, Andre (19 February 1995). "Imports at home in U.S.". Chicago Tribune.
7. "New name for import group". Chicago Tribune. 6 May 1990.
8. "Candidate Debate". Automotive News. 18 May 1992. p. 2.
9. Hakim, Danny (10 April 2007). "Challenge to Emissions Rule Is Set to Start". The New York Times. p. 19A.
10. Roland, Neil (9 May 2011). "Obama's challenge: Unite groups on emissions targets for 2017-25". Automotive News. p. 27.
11. Roland, Neil (13 June 2011). "Industry split on interim review of mpg standards". Automotive News. p. 8.
12. Friedman, Thomas L. (5 December 2011). "This is a big deal". The International Herald Tribune. p. 11.
13. "Michael J. Stanton, AIAM President & CEO Releases Statement on the Notice of Intent to Issue Proposed Passenger Vehicle Fuel Efficiency & Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards for Model Years 2017, 2025". Professional Services Close-Up. 6 October 2010.
14. Donna Harris (5 May 2010). "Tim MacCarthy, veteran lobbyist, dies at 65". Automotive News.
15. Roland, Neil (24 January 2011). "Foreign-brand automaker lobby changes name". Automotive News.
16. "Global Automakers Open New Washington Office". States News Service. 26 January 2011.
17. "Global Automakers Production and Sales Report September 2011" (PDF). globalautomakers.org. Global Automakers. September 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2011.

External links

• Official Global Automakers website

• Organizations established in 1965
• Automobile associations
• Automobile associations in the United States
• Lobbying organizations