AASA Overseas Automotive Council Completes Successful Trade Mission to Peru

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The Overseas Automotive Council (OAC) of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) joined the Auto Care Association on a trade mission to Peru May 17-19. The trade mission was supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) to help the automotive industry increase U.S. auto parts exports to free trade agreement partners in Central and South America.

Trade mission participants made several site visits to local distributors and dealerships. Local buyers participated in a networking reception, and one-on-one meetings with buyers and distributors from Lima were held to foster new business relationships.

“The successful trade mission to Peru highlights AASA’s efforts to advance the global and exporting interests of members,” said Bill Long, President & COO of AASA. “We are already developing additional strategies that will support members’ activities as they grow in various international regions.”

OAC members found the trip very beneficial and insightful. “This was a great trip that was executed extremely well,” said Mick Jordan, OAC chairman and vice president of marketing, Cloyes Gear & Products. “The one-on-one meetings were very productive, and I look forward to developing the new relationships made in Peru. I truly believe we will gain new business here.”

OAC member companies participating in the Peru trade mission included ACL Distribution, CARDONE Industries, Cloyes Gear & Products, Gabriel and Gates Interamerica. HDMA member company Performance Friction Corp. also participated along with APW Knox-Seeman Warehouse Inc. and MEYERBAN LLC.

“This is the beginning of a great collaboration among AASA, OAC and the Auto Care Association,” said Ben Brucato, OAC executive director. “OAC will be collaborating in future events and trade missions, all with the common goal of promoting the export of U.S. aftermarket products and services.”

For more information about the OAC, its programs and initiatives, and future trade mission trips, contact Ben Brucato: bbrucato@aasa.mema.org.

About AASA
AASA (www.aftermarketsuppliers.org) exclusively serves manufacturers of aftermarket components, tools and equipment, and related products which support 710,000 employees in the United States. AASA is a recognized industry change agent – promoting a collaborative industry environment, providing a forum to address issues and serving as a valued resource for members. AASA is the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). “AASA, The Voice for the Automotive Aftermarket Supplier Industry”

About the AASA Overseas Automotive Council
The AASA Overseas Automotive Council (OAC) promotes the sale in foreign markets of automotive and heavy duty products manufactured in North America. Those products include components, accessories, chemicals, hand and power tools, service maintenance and repair equipment, and paint and body supplies for both cars and trucks. OAC has more than 350 members in more than 40 countries. More information is available through its website, www.oac-intl.org.