AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. The Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network (CVSN) and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) have reached an agreement whereby AAIA will provide management services with a focus on government affairs representation to CVSN. The agreement, which is effective immediately, will unify commercial vehicle aftermarket distributor members of CVSN with the Heavy Duty Distribution Association (HDDA), a segment of AAIA on key issues and challenges in the heavy duty aftermarket.
The announcement was made at the Aftermarket Distribution Summit, presented by CVSN, Truck Parts & Service and HDX, held in Amelia Island, Fla.
“CVSN is very excited about its new management agreement with HDDA and AAIA,” said Ken Duval, CVSN outgoing president. “Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week has shown us that by working together we can bring enhanced value to our members.”
“By uniting CVSN and HDDA under the AAIA government affairs umbrella, commercial vehicle aftermarket distributors will have a single and more powerful voice in the legislative and regulatory arena, both at the state and national levels,” said David Scheer, HDDA chair and president of Inland Truck Parts Co.
Tom Stewart, president of Carolina Rim & Wheel and incoming president of CVSN, added, “Besides Right to Repair’s fight for access to information, there are other initiatives like education and training, best practices and a host of other challenges facing our industry that will benefit from a stronger and more focused independent channel.”