Advocacy Kept Us Essential

In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever to form relationships with our elected officials.

Thanks to the efforts of the Auto Care Association, Automotive Service Association, Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association, and others, the automotive aftermarket was deemed an essential industry, and aftermarket businesses were permitted to remain open throughout the quarantine.

“As state and local governments define essential activities that will be protected, it is important to also safeguard businesses that enable those activities to be conducted in a safe and efficient manner,” the associations wrote in a letter U.S. leaders March 17. “Essential tasks rely on safe and efficient transportation.”

The letter was fruitful, as federal and state officials named auto distributors and repair shops essential. The associations’ group efforts and previously-formed relationships with U.S. leaders directly impacted the state of the industry during COVID.

The Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc. thanks these associations for their success in keeping our industry working and the country moving in 2020, and looks forward to furthering these advocacy efforts at the Alliance Takes the Hill 2021 Convention in Washington, D.C.