The Auto International Association (AIA), a segment of the Auto Care Association, officially announced it has changed its name to the Import Vehicle Community.
For more than a year, the segment’s leadership has conducted an extensive rebranding initiative, culminating in the formal name change announcement made during the segment’s annual Awards Luncheon at AAPEX in Las Vegas.
“It has never been a more exciting or challenging time than now to be in the import nameplate vehicle parts business, and this new brand and logo reflect our enthusiasm and renewed focus on delivering real value to our members," said Ira Davis, chairman, Import Vehicle Community. “Our brand transformation better represents where this segment of the industry is today and our vision for the future.”
Following a series of strategic planning sessions, the AIA’s Executive Leadership Council (ELC) concluded that its name and brand are no longer in line with the rebranded Auto Care Association. From consolidations to expansions, and from new competitors to changing distribution models, the import nameplate vehicle parts business looks pretty different than it did when AIA was founded in 1981.
To address this issue, the ELC embarked on a rebranding effort of its own to better define and communicate the segment’s core objectives and value proposition to members. In doing so, they sought to simplify member engagement with the segment’s brand, remove confusion or perception of “competition” between associations and provide an opportunity to relaunch and redefine the segment’s value proposition.
The Import Vehicle Community’s key objectives are to:
• Remain the segment hyper-focused on serving the needs of Auto Care Association members engaged in the import nameplate aftermarket, irrespective of the business size or share of the business devoted to this segment of the industry.
• Develop and deliver opportunities to increase segment members’ profitability and business prospects.
• Identify and remove barriers to segment members’ business objectives.
• Develop and deliver platforms that increase the segment’s relevance and influence.
• Share information, intelligence, opportunity, networks and resources.
• Continually increase segment member business diversity.
For more information, visit www.autocare.org/import-vehicle-community.
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