The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) announced that its China Center is officially open in Shanghai. The establishment of the new MEMA China Center builds on MEMA’s commitment to serving its members in China, providing a unified platform for representing suppliers to the government, industry and motorists in China.

The center will provide support for MEMA’s light vehicle aftermarket division, Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA); its heavy-duty division, Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA); and its remanufacturing division, Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association (MERA).

Dr. Yilong Chen, who joined MEMA in February 2015, serves as the managing director of the MEMA China Center. A respected automotive industry leader in China, Chen’s extensive experience includes executive positions with automotive companies that have operations in the U.S. and China. “The MEMA China Center will be a valuable resource for its members, and I am pleased to share my expertise with the association’s supplier members as well as the MEMA leadership team in the U.S.,” Chen said.

“The MEMA China Center will be a strategic resource to advance AASA, HDMA and MERA member companies’ business interests in the growing China aftermarket,” said Steve Handschuh, MEMA president and CEO. “The MEMA China Center will be home to our new China Aftermarket, Heavy Duty and Remanufacturing Offices, as we develop relationships on members’ behalf with leaders of China’s government and industry.”

AASA/MEMA founded the China Aftermarket Forum (CAF) in 2005 as the only council of its kind for aftermarket executives with responsibility for their company’s China operations. Now, with the establishment of the China Aftermarket Office within the MEMA China Center, AASA, HDMA and MERA will be increasing the benefits to those members with a presence in China in addition to serving as a resource for those interested in taking advantage of the booming Chinese motor vehicle market.