NW Automotive Trades Association

A colorful past, a bright future

As the Oregon Automotive Parts Association (OAPA) in mid-2006 merges to become part of the ever-growing Northwest Automotive Trades Association (NATA), it continues an Oregon automotive industry tradition that harkens back to 1914.

In that year, just a decade after Henry Ford used $100,000 in capital to establish the Ford Motor Company, 10 Portland automotive aftermarket entrepreneurs banded together to create an organization designed to strengthen their businesses without interfering with each other's competitive independence.

It is that belief in working together and the "power of numbers" that has resulted in today's Northwest Automotive Trades Association.

"NATA is an organization with a diverse membership, but one that shares one common desire: To improve not only their own automotive businesses, but also the industry as a whole, all while meeting the needs of the motoring public," said Barbara Crest, executive director of NATA.

Though NATA is celebrating just its fifth anniversary in 2006, it truly is rooted in the first Oregon automotive association. That group, Pacific Automotive Trades Association (PATA), formed in 1914 and merged with two other groups (the Oregon Autobody Craftsman Association and the Automotive Service Association of Oregon) in July of 2001 to create NATA.

The boards of the three organizations recognized that the merger would bring together the unique strengths of each group; reduce the need for Oregon automotive businesses to belong to two or even three different organizations; and give the industries the clout that comes with greater membership numbers and diversity.

At the time of its formation, an NATA board was created including members from each of the three organization's previous boards. It was agreed that a new name, logo and monthly publication should be created to represent that a new organization, a merger of equals, was truly being formed.

Though there was some obvious nostalgia for the loss of the names of the associations that had served the industry for decades, most agreed the merger was the right move at the right time.

As with any new organization, NATA has faced challenges in its first five years. The automotive aftermarket has not been immune to the Northwest's struggling economy. Changes in requirements from the national ASA organization led the NATA board to drop its affiliation with the group, although NATA remains in contact with ASA. And there have been changes in staff over the years.

But these hurdles aside, NATA has racked up an impressive list of accomplishments in a short period of time:

It has held dozens of classes and meetings every year, working to bring members the latest information they need. Over two nights in the spring of 2006, for example, 100 people received NATA-sponsored hybrid vehicle service training from a foremost expert on the topic.
It has worked to focus on each segment of the industry it represents. The collision repair advisory committee, for example, helped NATA create a consumer education piece to help drivers understand their rights and responsibilities after an accident. When Oregon auto recyclers saw the need for improvements in the way the state licenses their facilities, NATA helped shepherd through the changes in way the industry was happy with.
It has made presentations about the industry at about two-dozen high schools, helped save the automotive training program at several schools, and assisted with the SkillsUSA (formerly VICA) state competitions.
It was honored by the EPA in 2004 for its involvement in two environmental efforts. The association and its members, for example, have teamed up with environmental regulators on a voluntary mercury switch-out program, replacing thousands of mercury-containing switches in vehicles with ball-bearing switches that pose less threat to the environment. NATA has also taken an active role in the Eco-Logical Business program, which recognizes and promoted shops for their efforts to minimize their environmental impact.
It has monitored and worked proactively with regulatory agencies and the state legislature to ensure new laws and regulations do not adversely hurt the industry. One legislative victory it claimed in 2003 was passage of a law that enables Oregon shops to sell vehicles obtained through the lien process without the expense of getting a dealer's license. And this year past year, it was NATA's involvement that helped air quality regulators understand that, contrary to what was happening in other states, requiring automakers to provide a 15-year "super warranty" could cause more problems than it would solve.
NATA has continued to find ways to save members money. Last year, NATA members could save 8 percent on their workers' comop premiums, a discount that jumped to 10 percent this year.
NATA has also worked to reduce and resolve consumer complaints about the industry. In 2005, for the first time in years, automotive repair shops were not among the Top 10 subjects of consumer complaints to the Oregon Attorney General's office.
It has developed a national affiliation with the Automotive Recyclers Association, and represented its diverse membership at regional and national industry events. Most recently the parts suppliers that made up OAPA have merged with NATA, bringing significant strengths and opportunities that will benefit all involved with NATA. Again, several former OAPA board members will be made part of NATA's board to smooth the transition and ensure the needs of these new members are met.

"NATA now serves and represents virtually every segment of the automotive aftermarket," Crest said. "Like the automobile itself, NATA continues to change and improve. But one thing that won't change is reflected in our mission statement: NATA is committed to offering innovative ways to improve the industry and its members' businesses through education, representation, and excellent membership services."

NATA Code of Ethics:

To uphold the high standards of our profession and seek to correct any abuses within the automotive Industry.
To promote goodwill between the motorist and members of this association.
To cooperate and maintain a system for fair settlement of customer complaints.
To perform high quality service by using, high quality equipment and parts.
To employ the best skilled and certified technicians.
To furnish an itemized invoice for fairly priced parts and service, which clearly identifies any used or remanufactured parts. Replaced parts may be inspected upon request.
To obtain prior authorization for all work done, in writing, or by other means satisfactory to the customer.
To offer the customer a price estimate for work to be performed.
To furnish or post copies of any warranties covering parts and service.
To exercise reasonable care for the customer's property while in possession.