Mexico trade group, ACA sharing goals

BETHESDA, Md. — The Auto Care Association (ACA) has formalized its relationship with a Mexico-based civil association that integrates manufacturers, representatives, importers and distributors of spare parts and accessories for automobiles.

ACA President and CEO Bill Hanvey and Alejandro Calderón Bello, president and CEO of the Asociación Nacional de Representantes, Importadores y Distribuidores de Refacciones y Accesorios para Automóviles, A.C. (ARIDRA), officially signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) Nov. 1 at the annual Automotive Aftermarket Product Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas.

The trade groups said the objective of their MOU is for the two parties to work together towards achieving common goals, including:

• Fostering and maintaining an understanding of activities of mutual interest through attendance at trade shows, international delegations and regular communication;
• Promoting international trade and investment between ACA and ARIDRA members; and
• Building awareness of each other's markets through education initiatives.

“We are pleased to formalize our relationship with ARIDRA, which will increase our opportunities to collaborate and expand new business opportunities for our members in the Mexican market,” Mr. Hanvey said. “ARIDRA will play a vital role in initiating the process to adopt and implement the Auto Care Association's technology standards in Mexico, through training and educational sessions with regional partners that will be key to expanding new business opportunities for our members.”

The two groups also agreed to specific commitments in their effort to facilitate stronger cooperation and coordination between the U.S. and Mexico, including exchanging market information and supporting adoption of U.S. technology standards in Mexico.

In addition to establishing global partnerships among automotive aftermarket associations, the ACA's international efforts also include trade missions — with its next to Costa Rica in May 2018 [see related story].