What Is AAIA and the Aftermarket?

The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) is a Bethesda, Md.-based association whose 8,243 member companies and affiliates manufacture, distribute and sell motor vehicle parts, accessories, service, tools, equipment, materials and supplies. Through its membership, AAIA represents more than 100,000 repair shops, parts stores and distribution outlets. AAIA was formed in 1999 from the consolidation between the Automotive Parts & Accessories Association (APAA) and the Automotive Service Industry Association (ASIA).

AAIA serves the automotive aftermarket, a $250 billion industry employing millions of Americans at over 500,000 business locations. "Aftermarket" includes all products and services purchased for motor vehicles after original sale. AAIA's annual Aftermarket Factbook provides details on the automotive afermarket in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, Latin America and East Asia.

Aftermarket.org is the official Web site of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). On this site, you will find valuable information on AAIA and its member companies. Aftermarket.org also offers electronic services to AAIA member companies, informing and enhancing these businesses through the ease of the Internet.

For those of you who wonder "What is the motor vehicle aftermarket?", it is the industry which maintains, repairs and accessorizes vehicles after they are sold to their owners by a car or truck dealer. Today's U.S. motor vehicle aftermarket is a $250 billion industry employing millions of Americans at over 500,000 business locations. Overview of the U.S. Motor Vehicle Aftermarket.

Please look over the various sections of this site and discover its many resources. We hope this will become one of your major sources of information for the aftermarket. If you have further questions regarding AAIA or this site, contact AAIA directly at: aaia@aftermarket.org.

AAIA's Membership Communities

AAIA's special membership communities offer information and services specific to your business interests. Join your peers in educational events, networking opportunities and leadership activities developed by fellow managers in your segment of the aftermarket.

Click here for more information on AAIA's Membership Communities.

AAIA Sponsored Programs and Events

AAIA is a principal sponsor of the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), held annually in Las Vegas. AAPEX is the largest aftermarket trade show in North America, featuring over 1700 exhibitors of auto parts, accessories and services and 80,000 attendees.

The annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium is the most important educational event of the year for the aftermarket industry. Sponsored by AAIA and other leading organizations, the symposium features industry leaders addressing major issues and challenges.

AAIA, in conjunction with a coalition of major aftermarket companies and organizations, has created a national marketing and public relations campaign to educate consumers on the importance of vehicle maintenance under the theme "Be Car Care Aware." The campaign focuses on three key message areas: safety, dependability, and pride of ownership/ROI. For more information on the Be Car Care Aware campaign, visit the CarCare.org Web site.

AAIA is at the forefront of efforts to ensure that independent service providers receive the information necessary for repairing today's vehicles from car manufacturers. The Motor Vehicle Owner's Right to Repair Act, which will be reintroduced in the 109th Congress, seeks to accomplish this through proactive legislation.

AAIA has taken the lead in developing standards for Electronic Commerce, including electronic cataloging, shop equipment integration, and electronic product information exchange, to help businesses in the automotive aftermarket lower their costs and improve efficiency.

The Category Management Program being implemented by AAIA's Category Management Committee is a collaborative industry initiative to bring together all players in the supply chain to share information in order to operate our businesses more efficiently and profitably. Committee projects include the Enhanced Line Review (ELR) Guidebook and CD-ROM; Aftermarket POS Data Exchange; ELR Training Seminars; and a Hard Parts ELR and Inventory Efficiency Workgroup.

AAIA's Member Volunteers and Staff

AAIA is a strong, member-driven organization that thrives on the volunteer work of individuals from member companies. If you are interested in becoming active with the association, contact the appropriate staff liaison directly, or call AAIA Headquarters in Bethesda, Md.

Executive Committee and Board of Directors
AAIA Full Staff Listing
Segment and Committee Staff Liaisons

Join Online

The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) - formerly serving the industry as APAA and ASIA - is the only trade association truly representing suppliers, distributors, retailers, program groups, manufacturers' reps, trade publications, educators and vendors in all segments of the industry. AAIA brings these diverse groups together as equal members to meet the challenges of today's market and look for tomorrow's opportunities.

Online Membership Application Form