ALEXANDRIA, Va. -

The American International Automobile Dealers Association has launched a pro-trade campaign that is being accompanied by a series of ads as well as a new logo for the 46-year old group serving 9,500 international nameplate automobile franchised stores.

“Our organization is comprised of businesses that serve communities across the United States and rely on a healthy global marketplace,” said AIADA chairman Greg Kaminsky, owner of Toyota of El Cajon, Calif.  “Yet, much of the debate about trade paints it and globalization as a threat to American prosperity.  It’s just not the case and this campaign seeks to make that clear.”

According to analysis by AIADA and the Association of Global Automakers, vehicles that consumers typically think of as imported actually comprise more than half of all U.S. vehicles sales, 56 percent of which are built in the United States.

AIADA claimed there are 9,500 international dealer franchises selling 8.3 million vehicles a year, creating 570,000 jobs here at home and supporting a payroll of $32 billion. 

“Our message to Capitol Hill and the next administration is that when you put partisan battles and political rhetoric aside, the fact that remains is how open markets and free enterprise have contributed to the types of international commerce that lead to a flourishing domestic and global economy,” AIADA president Cody Lusk said.

The campaign will consist of outreach and advocacy in Washington, D.C., as well as targeted markets throughout the country.  A series of ads will appear in Automotive News tapping into the campaign’s core themes of trade promoting consumer choice, job growth and a healthy economy. 

AIADA has also updated its logo to highlight their role as the primary advocate for international nameplate dealers in Washington, D.C.