Global Leaders from Toyota and O’Reilly Headline 2024 MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers Global Summit

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers and the Overseas Automotive Council (OAC) announce that speakers from Toyota Motor North America and O’Reilly Automotive will join the 2024 Global Summit, the industry’s premier global event, taking place from February 1-2, 2024, in scenic Hollywood Beach, Fla.

Leila Afas, director of Global Public Policy at Toyota Motor North America, will delve into how companies can drive growth in Europe’s evolving auto market as the introduction of electrified powertrains, shifting supply chains, increasing costs, and complex geopolitics overlap. Titled “Power Shifts: Geopolitics and the Transformation of Europe’s Auto Industry,” Afas’ segment will be held on February 1.

Shifting the focus to Latin America, Chip Carlson, vice president of international business development at O’Reilly Automotive will share how O’Reilly is growing its distribution footprint in Mexico. In “Mexico Distribution and Growing Global Brands,” Carlson will cover O’Reilly’s Mexico rebranding to O’Reilly Autopartes as well as how the brand is growing proprietary global brands and infrastructure investment to support these initiatives. Carlson’s segment is also part of the February 1st agenda.

Other highlights of the 2024 MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers Global Summit agenda include:

• Eugene Laney, president and CEO of the American Association of Exporters and Importers, will share how trade and environmental policy affect global companies and how they can prepare for the future
• John Price, managing director of Americas aftermarket intelligence, is back by popular demand to update attendees on geopolitical and social developments across Latin American countries
• Teresa Carral, director of Grupo Ciosa, one of the largest distribution centers in Mexico, Colombia, and Costa Rica, will be presenting on Grupo Ciosa's business model and expansion as well as their operations in Latin America

For additional information and registration information, visit the event page on mema.org.

About Overseas Automotive Council (OAC)

Overseas Automotive Council (OAC) is the international aftermarket council of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers. The Council 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, oac-intl.org.

About MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers

MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers exclusively serves manufacturers of aftermarket components, tools and equipment, and related products, an important part of the automotive parts manufacturing industry which supports over 900,000 American jobs in all 50 states. MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers is a recognized industry change agent – promoting a collaborative industry environment, providing a forum to address issues, and serving as a valued resource for member companies. Members represent all areas of the aftermarket including light vehicle, commercial vehicle, and remanufacturing. MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers is a membership group within MEMA, The Vehicle Suppliers Association.

MEMA is the leading North American trade association for vehicle suppliers, parts manufacturers, and remanufacturers. Automotive and commercial vehicle suppliers are the largest manufacturing sector in the United States and lead the way in new vehicle innovations. MEMA has been the voice of the vehicle supplier industry since 1904. Its more than 1,000 members are Strong by Association.

Members supply the aftermarket with the parts that keep millions of vehicles on the road, fueling international commerce and meeting society’s transportation needs. MEMA members are committed to safety and sustainability.

MEMA has offices in Southfield, Mich.; Research Triangle Park, N.C.; and Washington, D.C. Learn more at mema.org/aftermarket-suppliers.