A group of 37 automotive businessmen meet in Newark, N.J., and organize the county's first aftermarket association, the Motor & Accessory Manufacturers Association (MAMA).

The association forms its collection division.

The credit reporting division is formed.

MEMA president Charles E. Thompson addresses the issue of global markets, saying, "The challenge of world markets is one we cannot evade. It is a challenge we can best meet by presenting a united front, and by adopting, as an industry, a broad-gauge, far-seeing, consistent policy."

In the post-war prosperity, MAMA becomes active in Washington, D.C., and expands its trade show plans. The association also forms its Traffic Advisory Group and Advertising Managers Council.

The association merges with the Automotive Equipment Association to broaden the spectrum of services offered, and the new organization is called the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). Its headquarters is in the MEMA Building, New York, N.Y.

MEMA debuts its national ad campaign: "Care Will Save Your Car."

MEMA establishes a new membership category, Automotive Affiliated Representatives.

Determined that the industry should not only survive the Great Depression but also thrive, MEMA co-sponsors the first Automotive Service Industries Show along with Motor & Equipment Warehouse Association and the National Standard Parts Association (NSPA). This forerunner of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW) is held at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago.

MEMA introduces the first collection and customer rehabilitation program for the industry.

MEMA sets up its Washington, D.C., office to become more involved in health and safety issues. The association initiates its campaign for the remission of the 8% excise tax on automotive parts.

Transportation Safety Equipment Institute(TSEI), one of MEMA's product line groups, is formed.

MEMA headquarters is moved to Teaneck, N.J. Its credit reporting division, MCRI, is located in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Automotive Brake Manufacturers Council (ABMC) is formed as a product line group for companies that manufacture brakes and brake products.

The Automotive Public Relations Council (APRC), and MEMA peer group, is formed. MEMA forms a new product line group, the Automotive Cooling System Institute (ACSI).

Management Information Systems Group, Inc., (MISG) and TRANSNET® are formed.

MEMA's anti-counterfeiting task force is formed under the leadership of Robert R. Miller, now president emeritus of MEMA. By 1984, the task force achieves its goal of helping dramatically decrease the amount of counterfeit parts in the country.

MEMA establishes the Automotive Presidents Council (APC), another of its peer groups.

The Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), the heavy duty division of MEMA, is established.

The Automotive Chemical Manufacturers Council, a MEMA product line group, is formed.

MEMA's headquarters moves to Englewood Cliffs, N.J.

The U.S. Automotive Parts Industry Office opens in Japan.

The MEMA-JAMA Liaison Committee is formed.

The first MEMA-JAMA One-on-One® Business Conference is held, allowing top-level U.S. OE suppliers to meet senior purchasing executives of Japanese vehicle builders.

MEMA president Bob Miller spearheads the aftermarket's effort to consolidate fragmented trade show activities into one comprehensive market-segment education and show week. AAIW is set for early November in Las Vegas— and is destined to become the global aftermarket show mecca.

The Overseas Automotive Club changes its name to the Overseas Automotive Council and becomes MEMA's international aftermarket division.

MEMA's office in Cleveland, Ohio, moves to the association's new headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

The MEMA Environmental Institute is established as the association's environmental awareness and education arm.

The formal grand opening of the association's new headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C., is held.

MEMA is a key player in the development of the U.S.-Japan Automotive Agreement and actively monitors its results.

The MEMA-JAPIA (Japan Automotive Parts Industry Association) Liaison Committee is formed.

MEMA's U.S.-Pan American Automotive Industry office opens in Mexico City, Mexico.

The Automotive Human Resources Council (AHRC) is formed.

MEMA establishes the U.S.-MERCOSUL Automotive Industry Office in São Paulo, Brazil, and forms the Automotive Chief Financial Executives Council (ACFEC), a peer group.

The aftermarket tradeshow during AAIW assumes its new brand identity: the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo or AAPEX, held annually the first week of November in Las Vegas, Nev. The show is co-sponsored by MEMA and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).

In June, MEMA breaks ground for its second building, a 27,000 square foot addition which doubles the size of its North Carolina headquarters.

The Human Resources Council is formed by MEMA and OESA to serve HR professionals in the aftermarket, heavy duty and OE market segments.

MEMA joined with AAIA and SEMA to create Automotive Specialty Products Alliance (ASPA) for members engaged in the automotive chemical and vehicle appearance product markets before state, regional and federal legislators and regulators.

In order to better serve the distinct supplier market segments, MEMA established the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), and redefined the roles of HDMA and OESA as market segment associations, all under the MEMA parent association.

MEMA celebrates its centennial anniversary.

Major North American manufacturers of exterior lighting equipment for motor vehicles formed the Motor Vehicle Lighting Council under the auspices of MEMA.

AASA formed its Small & Medium Manufacturers Council and its Automotive Aftermarket Forecasting Council (AAFC), consisting of analysts from aftermarket manufacturers.