Retail Motor Industry Federation

Last updated
Retail Motor Industry Federation
AbbreviationRMI
FormationDecember 31, 1913;109 years ago (1913-12-31)
Type Trade association
Legal statusPrivate Limited company without share capital (number 133095)
PurposeAutomobile sales in the UK
Location
Region served
England, Wales, Northern Ireland
Membership
British automobile showrooms
Main organ
RMI Board
AffiliationsSMMT
Website RMIF

The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) represents the interests of motor industry operators in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man providing sales and services to motorists and businesses. It does not represent businesses in Scotland, which are represented by the independent Scottish Motor Trade Association.

Contents

History

It began from 1914. Motor vehicle retailers broke away from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) to form the Motor Agents Association, which became the Retail Motor Industry Federation in 1990.

Aims and objectives

The aims and objectives of the RMI are

Services

Structure

It is based near Great Portland Street tube station, near the junction of the A4201 and A501 (London Inner Ring Road).

Members

Members of the RMI generate an annual turnover of £70 billion and employ 600,000 people directly.

Statistics

Motoring contributes £30 billion annually to the economy in taxes. 75% of all UK households have access to a car, with 30% owning two or more. The 33 million vehicles licensed for use in the UK travel a distance of more than 12.5 million times around the world each year.

Component associations

National Franchised Dealers Association

The RMI National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) represents the welfare and interests of franchised dealers within the passenger car and commercial vehicle sectors.

Within the membership structure, there are national and regional committees, representing small to medium dealers, truck dealers, and the largest groups in the industry.

Held quarterly, these meetings give franchised dealers the chance to exchange views and discuss common issues, and enable the NFDA to reflect local, as well as national, issues when lobbying Government departments and representing themselves through the media.

The NFDA is pursuing campaigns to re-establish new car profitability, gain lower list prices, protect members’ investment and enhance dealer viability.

In May 2013, the NFDA took a majority ownership stake in Trusteddealers.co.uk to give the organisation a consumer-facing presence [1]

Motorcycle Retailers Association

The RMI Motorcycle Retailers Association (MRA) is the only organisation that represents exclusively the welfare and interests of retailers of motorcycles, related accessories and services.

An executive committee, comprising members from various regions, enables it to reflect local, as well as national, issues when lobbying Government or representing the industry through the media.

The main aims of the MRA are to provide more influence, better information and stronger support to the motorcycle retail sector to improve profitability, protect members’ investment and to enhance retailer viability.

The MRA has liaison with motorcycle manufacturers and importers, equipment and component suppliers and service providers. It also represents member interests with other organisations such as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), the Department for Transport (DFT), VOSA, the European Commission, Trading Standards, Inland Revenue, media and consumer associations.

It is a member of the National Motorcycle Council and the Motorcycle Theft Action Group.

Petrol Retailers Association (PRA)

The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) represents independent fuel retailers who now account for 65% of all UK forecourts and provides a voice for all retailers both large and small. They are committed to supporting members to develop all aspects of their activities by offering information, services and advice which ensures that the independent fuel retailing sector can continue to grow and be competitive in an ever more challenging business environment.

This also requires the PRA to challenge and work with all appropriate Government departments to ensure that the sustainability of independent forecourt retailers is properly considered.  Their key objective is to ensure that membership provides real, quantifiable value that outweighs the annual subscription fee and that the benefits they offer are of interest across the spectrum of their membership.

National Association of Motor Auctions

The RMI National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA) represents auction companies of all sizes selling cars, commercial vehicles and off-road vehicles.

Established in 1969, NAMA represents a broad mix of membership from the smaller family businesses to the larger national companies.

NAMA only accepts into membership financially viable companies which can provide evidence of sound and accepted trading practice. The NAMA acts as a pressure group on behalf of the vehicle auction industry in general, and as a supplier of specialist services and advice to individual auction companies. It alerts customers to the benefits of buying or selling through NAMA members who must adhere to NAMA's Code of Practice and Customer Charter.

Independent Garage Association

The RMI Independent Garage Association (IGA) provides UK and European influence, quality standards, support services and technical information for those involved in the service, repair, sale and MOT testing of motor vehicles.

The IGA provides assistance and guidance to the independent garage sector. The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) represents its members in Europe through membership of CECRA (the European Council for Motor Trades and Repairs) and CITA (International Motor Vehicle Inspection Committee), ensuring that European law does not have a detrimental effect on independent garages.

As a result of negotiation between the RMI and the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), independent operators have the right to service vehicles within manufacturer and extended warranties; and the RMI continues to campaign on the subject of access to technical information and training relevant to the maintenance of newer vehicles.

National Body Repair Association

The RMI National Body Repair Association (NBRA) policy is formulated by a National Consultative Group consisting of some of the country's leading accident repair specialists.

The aim of the NBRA is to assist members in addressing issues and work for positive change in the industry, to help their businesses survive and thrive.

For example: one of the major ongoing projects is the revision of the Bodyshop Quality Control (QC) Standard. The existing Standard has been a success but, as vehicle technology has moved on, the new Standard needs to be even more attractive to work providers.

The NBRA's objectives are to confront unfair practices; to assist in the creation of conditions that enable industry sectors to prosper; to raise industry standards; to train and ensure adequate human resources; and to provide one voice for all bodyshops through unity with the Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association (VBRA Commercial).

Cherished Numbers Dealers Association

The RMI Cherished Numbers Dealers Association (CNDA) was established in 1971 to represent dealers of personalised and attractive registration numbers, and to protect the interests of their customers.

Personalised and attractive number plates have become a growth industry, with thousands of motorists now displaying registrations which perhaps represent their initials or advertise their business or profession. Others choose a number which bears an amusing message.

Members of the CNDA adhere to a strict code of conduct, and each member is regularly monitored by the Association to ensure that, for instance, transfers are complete within an acceptable time limit.

Although the transfer of a registration number to the new owner can be done by direct application to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), the process of finding a suitable registration, and then ensuring that all legal requirements are complied with, can be complex and time-consuming. A dealer with CNDA membership can handle the process.

Related Research Articles

Jardine Cycle & Carriage Limited is the investment holding company of the Jardine Matheson Group in Southeast Asia. It is currently 75%-held by the conglomerate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Car dealership</span> Business which sells, buys, and trades new and/or used cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans

A car dealership, or car dealer, is a business that sells new or used cars, at the retail level, based on a dealership contract with an automaker or its sales subsidiary. Car dealerships also often sell spare parts and automotive maintenance services.

The British Sandwich & Food to Go Association (BSA) was founded in January 1990 and is based in Chepstow. The aim of the organization is to improve the sandwich industry by setting standards and rewarding excellent sandwich manufacturers and retailers in the annual Sammies. The BSA is run non-commercially on behalf of its members by J&M Group, Ltd. This same group also runs various other organisations similar to the BSA such as the Pizza Pasta & Italian Food Society.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pendragon PLC</span>

Pendragon PLC is the second largest motor retailer in the United Kingdom. It operates the Evans Halshaw, Stratstone, brands of Quickco, Car Store used car supermarkets in United Kingdom, and dealerships in the United States. The company is based at Annesley, Nottingham. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Used car</span> Vehicle previously owned by another

A used car, a pre-owned vehicle, or a secondhand car, is a vehicle that has previously had one or more retail owners. Used cars are sold through a variety of outlets, including franchise and independent car dealers, rental car companies, buy here pay here dealerships, leasing offices, auctions, and private party sales. Some car retailers offer "no-haggle prices," "certified" used cars, and extended service plans or warranties.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is the trade association for the United Kingdom motor industry. Its role is to "promote the interests of the UK automotive industry at home and abroad."

The Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA) is the not-for-profit international trade association dedicated to advancing the interests of the $32 billion home entertainment industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Association of Convenience Stores</span>

The Association For Convenience & Fuel Retailing (NACS) was founded August 14, 1961, as the National Association of Convenience Stores. Today it is an international trade association representing more than 2,100 retail and 1,600 supplier company members. NACS member companies do business in nearly 50 countries worldwide, with the majority of members based in the United States. The association serves the convenience and filling station industries by providing industry knowledge, connections and advocacy to ensure the competitive viability of its members' businesses.

OMVIC is a council that regulates motor vehicle sales in Ontario that administers and enforces the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services (MGCS). OMVIC's mandate is to maintain a fair and an informed marketplace by protecting the rights of consumers, while enhancing the industry professionalism ensuring fair, honest and open competition for registered motor vehicle dealers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Automobile Dealers Association</span>

The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) is an American trade organization representing nearly 16,500 franchised new car and truck dealerships, both domestic and foreign. Established in 1917, the organization is based in Tysons Corner, Virginia. As the automotive retail industry's primary trade association, NADA monitors federal legislation and regulation affecting dealerships and publishes forecasts and reports about industry trends. American Truck Dealers, established in 1970, is a division of NADA representing nearly 1,800 heavy- and medium-duty truck dealerships throughout the United States.

The Motorcycle Industry Council, or MIC, is a not-for-profit, national trade association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV parts and accessories and members of allied trades in the United States, located in Irvine, California. The MIC was incorporated in 1970, but the association has roots extending back to the early days of motorcycling when it existed under other names since 1914.

The Auto Care Association is a not-for-profit trade association based in Bethesda, Maryland. Auto Care Association's nearly 3,000 members and affiliate companies, represent approximately 150,000 businesses that manufacture, distribute, sell and install motor vehicle parts, accessories, tools, equipment, materials, supplies, and services. Representing suppliers, distributors, retailers, service providers, program groups, manufacturers’ representatives, educators, and publishers, the Auto Care Association protects and advances the interests of businesses providing aftermarket products and services for all classes of motor vehicles.

Good Garage Scheme is a series of same name automobile repair shop monitoring schemes in the United Kingdom (UK), claiming to improve industry repair standards for the benefit of consumers. The service is not run by an independent organisation, but by a company manufacturing lubricants and other automotive products, and any garage wanting to be member is required to recommend and sell the products from this company. The scheme provides some benefits to customers for example accountability and feedback, however the motivation and impartialness of the website has been called into question causing some controversy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Bus Association</span>

The American Bus Association (ABA) is a trade association for motorcoach operators and tour companies in the United States and Canada. Its membership consists of about 1,000 companies that operate buses or bus-based tours, about 2,800 organizations representing the travel and tourism industry, and several hundred suppliers of buses and related products and services. Its headquarters is in Washington, D.C.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman</span>

The Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO), formerly The Furniture Ombudsman (TFO) is an independent not for profit organisation based in the United Kingdom. It specialises in alternative dispute resolution for customers of its members in the retail, furniture and home improvement industries. As a membership-based scheme, it also provides training and education services to its members which aim to raise standards, improve service and inspire consumer confidence. Kevin Grix, a non-practising barrister, was appointed the Chief Ombudsman in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association</span> Australia automotive parts industry organization

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) is an automotive industry association that represents the automotive aftermarket parts and accessories industry and companies that are involved in manufacturing, re-manufacturing, wholesaling, distributing and retailing of vehicle parts, tools, equipment, accessories and services. Established in 1980, the AAAA represents the interests of businesses in this particular market segment on a national level.

CPA Ireland, formerly the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland, is one of the main Irish accountancy bodies, with 5,000 members and students.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association</span>

The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) was founded in 1904. MEMA represents more than 1,000 companies that manufacture motor vehicle components and systems for the original equipment and aftermarket segments of the light vehicle and heavy-duty motor vehicle manufacturing industry in the United States. Motor vehicle component manufacturers are the largest employer of manufacturing jobs in the U.S., contributing nearly 3 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product. Motor vehicle parts suppliers generate a total direct and indirect employment impact of 4.26 million jobs, up nearly 18 percent since 2012.

The Association of Translation Companies (ATC) is a professional membership association promoting language services in the United Kingdom and beyond. The ATC represents the interests of translation companies operating in the UK's expanding language services industry which is home to over 1,200 translation companies, is worth more than £1 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.

The National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) is an employers association representing more than 10,000 stores across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Its roots go back to the latter part of the nineteenth century.

References