New association to represent state motoring groups

The state-based motor industy groups from Australia's eastern states have set up a new organisation which is set to become the new national representative body for the automotive trade.

MTA-NSW, MTAQ, VACC and TACC, which represent approximately 80 percent of the repair, service and retail sector of the Australian automotive industry, have announced the formation of a new national automotive industry body, the Australian Automotive Industry Association (AAIA) to meet the needs of retail automotive associations.

This is the first major shake-up of the Australian retail automotive industry for more than 20 years. The MTAA (Motor Trades Association of Australia) was set up in 1988, but MTAQ, MTA-NSW, VACC and TACC have withdrawn their membership. It was felt the MTAA business model, which had served its purpose in the past, was not appropriate for the future.

AAIA’s business model will be less bureaucratic, more transparent, more interactive, more responsive and reduced in scale and cost. AAIA will also be more representative of the industry as work will be undertaken by members utilising their particular areas of expertise, according to those behind the move.

“It is not unusual for associations to have to remodel themselves to keep up with the demands of modern business practices. This gives AAIA members an opportunity to look ahead with confidence and to work in an environment that best serves the interests of the employers we represent,” CEO, MTA-NSW, James McCall, said.

“We had sought to reform MTAA from within but found that was impossible. Therefore, we have established a new association which will be less distant and more connected with the needs and desires of automotive businesses nationwide,” MTAQ, executive director, Ian Field, said.

“AAIA members will be served by a comprehensive support network. We felt our industry had to evolve in order to stay ahead and under the previous structure we were falling behind,” said VACC, executive director, David Purchase.

“The AAIA will enable true representation at a national level. We have every confidence that the voice of the Australian automotive industry will be heard and respected,” TACC, general manager, Malcolm Little, said.

The AAIA was announced at a press conference in Melbourne today.