The new body lobbying for the imported vehicle trade – the Australian Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association – has announced two new financial supporters.
The association has signed logistics firm Autohub and vehicle inspection and verfication service JEVIC as its first two ‘foundation supporters’.
AIMVIA vice president Ross Pendergast, told AutoTalk the association’s board was very pleased with the new supporters.
“There is still a long way to go in terms of what we want to achieve, but this is a very important first big step.”
AIMVIA is currently looking for members and foundation supporters – generally members of the import supply chain and associated industries.
“Both JEVIC and Autohub are also members but also show a greater level of support than just becoming a member, which is vital for the ongoing activities of the association.”
Autohub’s international coordinator for New Zealand and Australia, Tony Tiehuis, told AutoTalk that Autohub is happy to be a part of an association that represents the logistics industry.
“We see ourselves as a key financial supporter for AIMVIA but also we want to provide advice where we are qualified to provide advice. We have representation in Australia, New Zealand and the UK as well as our head office in Japan, so we can offer advice in our field, which is logistics,” Tiehuis says.
“AIMVIA is in the development phase and starting to find their footing, but I believe they will be the key organisation in Australia to represent the vehicle imports industry.”
“AIMVIA will end up representing a broad front for the imports industry, whereas current and previous organisations only represented small sections of the industry, the fact that AIMVIA will encompass all of the industry is a positive step forward,” Tiehuis adds.
JEVIC chief executive Euan Philpot says the company is enthusiastic about providing the support.
“JEVIC is keen to be an industry supporter and interested in assisting the Australian marketplace and agrees with the aims of the the association around age of fleet, competition, and protecting the consumer. Those are three key things for the association and we are keen to be part of supporting the industry,” Philpot says.
“Our support as a Foundation Supporter with AIMVIA is recognised as a long term goal. We already have an appointment for the Australian Government to provide our services offshore and we are engaged with regulators and industry experts. We also have a lot of knowledge on the Australian marketplace so we are well positioned to be able to support AIMVIA with the challenges ahead,” Philpot explains.
Both companies currently operate within the Australian vehicle import model and are committed to the continued marketplace access for used imported vehicles.
AIMVIA’s mission is to strengthen the case for the relaxation of current import restrictions and tarrifs in light of the announcements that passenger car manufacturing will cease by the end of 2017.
Join the conversation