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The Association of Global Automakers (Global Automakers), formerly known as the Automobile Importers of America and Association of International Automobile Manufacturers, is a Washington, D.C.-based lobby group for foreign automobile and light duty truck manufacturers that build and sell products in the United States. It represents 15 international manufacturers, including Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai and Kia. As of September 2011, 33.8% of autos manufactured in the U.S. are produced by Global Automakers’ members. The organization provides member companies with lobbying, analysis and information on U.S. laws and regulations that impact the automotive industry in the United States.

History

The Automobile Importers of America (AIA) was officially formed in 1965. In its early years 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.

The 1973 oil crisis 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. 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.

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.

In 1990 the organization changed its name to the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM). In 2011, the organization changed its name again to the Association of Global Automakers.

Membership

As of 2011 the Association has 15 automaker members including Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai and Kia; the Association says its members accounted for 42% of all vehicles sold in the U.S and 34% of vehicles manufactured in the U.S. from January to September 2011.

Advocacy and lobbying

The Association advocates, lobbies, and provides information to member companies on a range of legislative and regulatory matters affecting the automotive industry.

Fuel economy and emissions

During the last decade, the Association 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 national rather than state-by-state regulation of vehicle emissions and fuel economy, and supports the Obama administration's proposed changes to CAFE standards. AIAM issued a statement in 2008 supporting the EPA's decision to block California's attempt to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.

Mobile phones

The Association advocates a ban on the use of hand-held devices to text or talk while driving as "an important part of vehicle crash prevention", though hands-free phones are equally deleterious to driver attention and performance.

Consumer protection

The Association has lobbied against the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act.

Safety standards

The Association has advocated a restrained, "cautious" approach to making safety standards more stringent or adding new ones.

References

1. ^ Roland, Neil (24 January 2011). "Foreign-brand automaker lobby changes name". Automotive News.
2. ^ "Global Automakers Production and Sales Report September 2011" (PDF). globalautomakers.org. Global Automakers. September 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
3. ^ "Global Automakers' Stanton Calls For Coordinated Regulatory Processes to Encourage Efficiencies". States News Service. 27 January 2011.
4. ^ Kurylko, Diana T. (30 October 1989). "Importers shift focus from trade to clean air and CAFE". Automotive News.
5. Henry, Jim (30 July 2002). "Ralph Millet, who brought Saab to U.S., dies". Automotive News.
6. Bennet, James (8 September 1994). "Ruling May Further Open U.S. Auto Market to Japan". The New York Times.
7. Klein, Alec Matthew; Simmons, Melody (18 May 1995). "Japanese trade fight alarms dealers". The Baltimore Sun.
8. Mouchard, Andre (19 February 1995). "Imports at home in U.S.". Chicago Tribune.
9. "New name for import group". Chicago Tribune. 6 May 1990.
10. "Global Automakers Open New Washington Office". States News Service. 26 January 2011.
11. Japan's Carmakers, Long Quiet in Washington, Flex Their Muscles
12. Lobbyist Public Search
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. Global Automakers Endorses Administration’s Next Round of New Greenhouse Gas/Fuel Economy Standards for MY 2017 – 2025 Vehicles
15. Hakim, Danny (10 April 2007). "Challenge to Emissions Rule Is Set to Start". The New York Times. p. 19A.
16. Roland, Neil (9 May 2011). "Obama's challenge: Unite groups on emissions targets for 2017-25". Automotive News. p. 27.
17. Roland, Neil (13 June 2011). "Industry split on interim review of mpg standards". Automotive News. p. 8.
18. Friedman, Thomas L. (5 December 2011). "This is a big deal". The International Herald Tribune. p. 11.
19. AIAM Statement on Final EPA Decision Denying California Waiver
20. AIAM Supports Ban on Texting and the Use of Hand-Held Phones While Driving
21. Understanding the Distracted Brain
22. Txt Responsibly Fact Sheet
23. Lobbyists Line Up Over Right to Repair Act
24. U.S. finding on Toyota cuts automakers a break

External links

• Official website

• Misplaced Pages neutral point of view disputes from December 2011
• Organizations established in 1965
• Automobile associations
• Automobile associations in the United States
• Lobbying organizations