Association of Global Automakers (Global Automakers) was a trade association that represented overseas-headquartered automobile manufactures, original equipment suppliers, value chain partners, mobility councils, and other automotive-related trade associations in the United States. ¹ In January 2020, the Association of Global Automakers merged with the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers to create the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. ² Former Global Automakers president John Bozzella is the president of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. ³

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Global Automakers was active at both the federal level and in all 50 states, where it advocated for the interests of foreign automakers’ U.S.-based operations. ¹ Global Automakers supported open trade policies, including the now-defunct North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). ⁴ The association also opposed Section 232-based tariffs on foreign automotive imports to the United States. ⁵ Global Automakers advocated for the use of non-traditional fuel technology, the use of electric vehicles, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and other efforts to comply with government zero emission vehicle sales, standards, and environmentalist policy priorities and regulations. ⁶

History and Leadership

Association of Global Automakers (Global Automakers) was founded in 1965 as Automobile Importers of America. ^{7 8} In 1990, Automobile Importers of America became the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers. Association of International Automobile Manufacturers received tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service in 1996. ⁹

In 2011, the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers changed its name to become the Association of Global Automakers. ¹⁰ In January 2020, Global Automakers joined with the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers to create a new organization, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. ²

John Bozzella was the president and CEO of Global Automakers from April 2014 until it merged with the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers to become of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation in January 2020. Prior to joining Global Automakers, Bozzella worked at Daimler Chrysler, the Ford Motor Company, and in the administration of former New York City Mayor David Dinkins (D). ^{11 12}

Bozzella began his career in public policy as the director of legislative and political action for the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) union. ¹³

As of September 2023, Bozzella is the president and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. ³ In this role, he has opposed mandates to include AM-band radios in newly manufactured vehicles. ¹⁴

Activities and Funding

Association of Global Automakers was a trade association that represented foreign-headquartered automobile manufactures. Some of its members produced vehicles in the United States, while other members only sold their products in the United States. During its operations, Global Automakers claimed to be the voice of the international automotive industry in the United States. ¹

Global Automakers was headquartered in Washington, D.C., ¹⁵ and active at both the federal and state level to advocate for its members’ policy priorities. ¹ Association of Global Automakers’ policy priorities and advocacy priorities included connected vehicles, energy and environment, trade and competitiveness, vehicle safety, and others. ¹⁶ The association worked closely with industry leaders, legislators, regulators, and stakeholders in Washington, D.C., and 50 state capitals to support the interest of foreign automakers’ U.S.-based operations. ¹⁷

Representatives from Global Automakers testified before Congress on various climate-related automotive issues, supported the use of nontraditional energy for vehicles, and supported its members’ environmental goals by promoting left-of-center environmentalist climate policies. Global Automakers also supported its members’ research and development efforts to meet government targets for greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy targets. ¹⁶

Global Automakers took a holistic approach to advocacy and public relations on and off social media to bolster its members’ influence in American policymaking by influencing policymakers and stakeholders to shape a more favorable environment for its members. ¹⁸

At its peak, Global Automakers represented foreign vehicle manufacturers, original equipment suppliers (known as OEMs), value chain partners, mobility councils, and other automotive-related trade associations in the United States. Its members included Honda, Aston Martin, Lagonda, Ferrari, Hyundai, Isuzu, Kia, Maserati, McLaren, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Denso, Bosch Corporation, and others. ¹⁹ Global Automakers was a platform for collaboration for OEMs and offered a consensus-driven voice for policymakers on its issues through campaigns such as its “Here for America” campaign and its center for Trade and Investment, which promoted the interests of its overseas-headquartered members. ¹⁶

Global Automakers also lobbied various policy positions to the U.S. government. ¹⁹ The trade association supported open trade policies, including the now-defunct North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). ⁴

It opposed Section 232-based tariffs on foreign automotive imports to the United States. ⁵ Global Automakers also supported the reduction of greenhouse gasses, increased use of electric vehicles, and other efforts to meet zero-emission vehicle sales requirements imposed by some state regulations. This included the promotion of non-traditional fuel technology and advancing its members’ environmentalist goals and policies. ⁶

Political and Advocacy Activities

In 2019, Association of Global Automakers spent $2,056,768 on lobbying expenditures. ²⁰ In 2019, the organization spent $3,622,054 on public relations with Craft Media Digital. It also paid $320,666 to Grafik Marketing, $300,000 to Daniel J. Edelman Inc, $249,854 to Wiley Rein LLP, and $240,680 to Dennis Fitzgibbons to support its policy-related issues. ²¹

In 2019 and 2018, Global Association gave $50,000 to the Center for Automotive Research for its car affiliates program. ^{22 23}

In 2015, Global Association gave $15,000 to H2USA, $50,000 to Intelligent Car Coalition, $10,000 to Republican Governors Public Policy Committee, $5,000 to left-of-center Third Way, and $10,000 to Center for Innovative Policy. ²⁴

Associated Organizations

Association of Global Automakers had an affiliated political action committee, Drive2Action PAC. The PAC supported political candidates that supported and protected the interests of foreign automakers’ U.S.-based operations. ²⁵

During the 2018 election cycle, Global Automakers contributed $9,500 to Democratic Party candidates and $7,500 to Republican Party candidates. ²⁶ Contribution recipients included then-U.S. Representatives Van Taylor (R-TX), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Bob Latta (R-OH), Richard Neal (D-MA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Scott Peters (D-CA), and Cedric Richmond (D-LA). ²⁷

Funding

Association of Global Automakers was a membership-based organization. It received its funding from program service revenue. ²⁸

In 2019, the Association of Global Automakers reported revenue of $16,136,687 and expenses of $16,383,043. In 2018, the organization reported revenue of $11,722,343 and expenses of $12,125,177. ²⁹

In 2016, Global Automakers received $10,000 from the American Trucking Associations. ³⁰

As of September 2023, the Automotive Regulatory Council uses the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employer identification number that was used by Association of Global Automakers. ³¹

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