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ABOUT THE PAAA

Who we are

The PAAA is an association of its members, for its members. 

 

The association was created by a group of influential decision makers from a range of market-leading companies to give the UK performance and tuning aftermarket industry a voice. Its members represent the major performance aftermarket manufacturers, distributors and retailers in the UK.

 

Its purpose is to promote a favourable operating environment for our industry by providing a voice at National, European and – on occasions – worldwide level on legislative and commercial issues that may have an effect on how our businesses trade, at home and overseas. 

 

The PAAA is currently made up of 50 members that represent manufacturers, importers and official distributors of well-established and trusted aftermarket brands in the UK.  It is the only national body of its kind that operates within the performance and tuning aftermarket sector. 

 

Companies within the PAAA adhere to a strict code of conduct and operate to the very highest standards of product quality and customer service. 

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The Aims and Objectives​

  • The PAAA is focused on deflecting the ever-growing pressure from manufacturers over the rights of owners who want to modify their cars, protecting their right to race and their right to modify.

  • The PAAA represents and defends the performance tuning aftermarket industry.

  • The association aims to improve the profile and perception of the automotive aftermarket industry. 

  • The PAAA supports its members and helps promote the vehicle modification and tuning business.

  • The association stands up for legislative influence over the performance and tuning aftermarket industry in the UK and Europe at Governmental level.

  • Protecting your ‘right to race’ and your ‘right to modify’.

Aims and Objectives​

  • The PAAA is focused on deflecting the ever-growing pressure from manufacturers over the rights of owners who want to modify their cars, protecting their right to race and their right to modify.

  • The PAAA represents and defends the performance tuning aftermarket industry.

  • The association aims to improve the profile and perception of the automotive aftermarket industry. 

  • The PAAA supports its members and helps promote the vehicle modification and tuning business.

  • The association stands up for legislative influence over the performance and tuning aftermarket industry in the UK and Europe at Governmental level.

  • Protecting your ‘right to race’ and your ‘right to modify’.

What we do

Legislative relationships

We have established a series of excellent working relationships with likeminded industry colleagues within UK and EU governments. Through these contacts we are at the forefront of decision making processes when it comes to formulating legislation that might affect us. Consequently, we receive immediate notifications of all European proposals as they pass through the EU, which allows us to work with our contacts to understand the effect the legislation may have on our industry sector and how we can apply pressure to influence the decision making process before proposals have been signed off.

 

Worldwide relationships

As an association representing the top end of the performance aftermarket, the PAAA has become a major force in the tuning industry. Understanding that the UK is second only to Germany as an influential player in the European aftermarket and tuning sector, similar organisations are now eager to work with us.

Consequently, the PAAA is affiliated to other influential associations with which it works hand-in-hand on matters that affect our business sector and trading environment. It shares contacts and connections to help understand industry issues and react accordingly.

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PAAA Quality Mark Programme


Members are able to benefit by being part of the PAAA Quality Mark Programme, the only campaign of its kind associated with the national body that represents the interests and safeguards the rights of the performance tuning industry.

 

Criteria for membership requires companies to operate to high standards of quality, performance and efficacy and therefore, when customers see the PAAA logo, they can expect a code of practice and a way of conducting business that is commensurate with these inherent qualities.  

 

PAAA members have the ability to use the logo within their own corporate communications and may utilise it to augment their marketing campaigns.

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European partnerships
ETO - European Tuning Organisation

The ETO is the official European umbrella association for the tuning industry, which employs thousands of people across the EU and generates €billions in tax revenues. After many years of operation as an active working group, the ETO is now recognised as an official European Organisation.
 

A PAAA director has been invited to sit on the ETO board and, whilst a little known group to industry outsiders, it is extremely active across Europe. It has a full time administrator who monitors legislative proposals who is available to the PAAA for help and advice on all related matters.

 

VDAT – Verband Der Automobile Tuner

Established in 1987 and based in Roßbach in Germany, VDAT is the largest tuning industry association in Europe, with its membership about double that of the PAAA. The association and its members stand for high quality and the VDAT publicly advocates the manufacturer of reliable and safe-to-use tuning products.
 

The membership criteria for VDAT allows companies that manufacturer and trade within the tuning sector, as well as suppliers to the industry. Its inclusive approach allows workshops, distributors and wholesalers to become members. 

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USA partnerships
SEMA – Speciality Equipment Market Association

Based in the USA, SEMA is the biggest industry association of its kind – by a considerable margin. It was established in 1963 by a group of small manufacturers of performance equipment for early hot rods. SEMA says that it’s a love for cars, trucks and SUVs that’s the motivating force behind the association that consists of a diverse group of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, publishing companies, auto restorers, street rod builders, restylers, car clubs, race teams and more.

 

SEMA has become increasingly important to businesses active in producing and/or marketing specialty and performance products. Since the introduction of California regulations in the ’60s, federal and state governments and regulatory agencies have proposed, introduced and promulgated a variety of restrictive measures. Although they were sometimes introduced in the name of clean air and improved safety standards, the laws and regulations are too often overly broad in scope and fail to consider less obvious repercussions and detrimental effects on businesses.  

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Other member benefits

Industry expertise

Specialists in different fields have been willing to work with the PAAA and its members. Experts in EU and motor industry legislation together with representatives from the TUV in Germany, as well as advisers in global trading conditions, social media gurus, shipping and logistics specialists - and many more - have shared invaluable information to our members.

 

Forum

PAAA members have exclusive access to a members-only closed forum. This on-line platform allows confidential discussion on a wide variety of subjects: from sharing supplier information and assisting purchase negotiations, to sharing real life references regarding current or potential customers. Technical discussions allow for information to be exchanged and for supporting member companies to share data surrounding demonstration and development vehicles.

 

Meetings

One of the most successful aspects of PAAA membership are the regular informal meetings held for owner/managers of the industry's leading companies. The meetings allow open discussion on many subjects: from trading conditions to sharing market information and legislation. We believe that this exchange of information between similar companies with similar problems and experiences is an invaluable part of being a PAAA member.

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