A key priority of the Government Affairs Department is vigorous advocacy for free trade and open investment policies. Government Affairs Committee members receive information on developments in these areas and on a wide array of political and policy issues impacting the auto sector. Interaction with like-minded companies on a multitude of business issues is an important benefit of membership in AIAM. Member representatives responsible for customs, tax, manufacturing operations and legal issues meet regularly in Best Practice Groups to exchange information and develop new solutions to common problems. The Government Affairs Committee meets monthly to identify and prioritize Association goals in these and other areas. The Committee acts on these priorities through appropriate legislative, regulatory or judicial channels using both internal and external resources. A separate State Relations Group also meets regularly to review fast-breaking developments at the state level and to determine appropriate industry responses.
AIAM's Technical Affairs Department provides information, analysis and guidance to members on Federal, state and local legislative and regulatory issues affecting: environment, energy, safety and service. To further member interests, AIAM advocates these issues before Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Energy (DOE), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and California Air Resources Board (CARB).