Automobile Association Closes; Worked on Behalf of American Industry
24 December 1998
Automobile Association Closes; Worked on Behalf of American Industry
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 -- The American Automobile Manufacturers
Association (AAMA), the Washington-based trade association whose members are
DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors
Corporation, will close effective December 31, 1998.
The association, which traces its roots to the year 1900, is the oldest
automotive trade association in the United States. More than 2,000 different
automobile manufacturers and auto-related suppliers were members of the
organization over the 98 years of its history. The association was reorganized
and renamed several times over its long history as member companies adapted to
changing markets and social, political, and economic environments. The
association was reorganized most recently into AAMA in 1992.
The decision to close the association came in the wake of the merger of
Chrysler Corporation and Daimler Benz AG.
"While we are sad that AAMA is closing, we know that the American
automobile industry is heading into an exciting period of change and
opportunity. I am confident the achievements of AAMA and its employees will
serve the industry well in the years to come," said Andrew H. Card, Jr.,
President & CEO of AAMA.
Over the first 90 years of its history, the association made many
important contributions to the growth of the automobile industry in the United
States, such as promoting good roads, coordinating the production of war
material during World Wars I and II, improved automotive and highway safety,
and the decade-long, nationwide effort which led to increased seat belt use
known as Traffic Safety Now.
In the 1990s, AAMA has been a key player in several major issues affecting
the industry and the nation.
* The environment. AAMA led the industry's effort for adoption of the
National Low Emission Vehicle program which will bring cleaner cars to nearly
every state in the country early in the next decade.
* Safety. AAMA has spearheaded efforts for improved air bags, including
depowering which reduced the risks to children and small adults and working
with government on new standards for advanced air bags.
* Trade. AAMA worked for open markets and free trade around the world,
including the North American Free Trade Agreement and the 1995 agreements
between the U.S. government and the governments of Japan and South Korea to
open the auto markets of those key Pacific nations.
* Energy conservation. AAMA was the industry's first representative to the
Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles, the industry-government
partnership to produce highly energy-efficient vehicles.
* International harmonization. For more than 40 years, the association has
led the effort for international standards harmonization, to simplify the job
of meeting automobile standards in different nations of the world. That effort
has begun to pay major dividends with the pending approval of several
important standards currently before international bodies.
"I am proud of the long history of AAMA and its predecessor organizations
and their many important contributions to the growth and success of the
American automobile industry over the past century," said Card.
"And I am particularly proud of the contributions by the many dedicated
and talented people at AAMA during the past five years. Their accomplishments
will continue to benefit the American automobile industry well into the next
century."