User:Mnhooge/sandbox

ARA - Automotive Retailers Association
The Automotive Retailers Association, commonly known as the ARA, is a non-profit organization that represents the automotive service industry in British Columbia, Canada.

About
The ARA ensures that the key issues and needs of their industry's business growth and success are being addressed. They have four core commitments:
 * Industry advocacy and leadership: communicating on behalf of the automotive industry with key government agencies, suppliers, insurers, stakeholders and the media. Examples of the bodies they liaise with include ICBC, WorkSafe, taxation authorities and government ministries.
 * Knowledge and information: conducting industry-based research including trends and information surrounding compliance with government regulations.
 * Development and training: supporting and developing automotive training infrastructure to help the industry meet the changing needs of today’s market, and better serve the public. The ARA is in partnership with multiple providers in the automotive training industry in B.C., including colleges, technical institutes, schools and industry training authorities.
 * Business excellence: promoting ethical and professional standards among automotive businesses to improve the business climate in the industry.

History
The ARA was founded in 1951 (although it was officially chartered as a society in March 1952). In 2012 they celebrated their 60th anniversary. The Association was first conceived by a group of B.C. service station garage operators who came together to identify and address the issues they were facing. Issues at the time included a lack of control over profit margins associated with gas prices and harsh treatment from oil suppliers. The association has expanded to include hundreds of members seeking representation, information and support across all automotive areas. The ARA now has 8 divisions in total, and hundreds of business members across the province. Some of their most significant industry achievements are as follows:
 * Lobbied the provincial government to pass the Apprenticeship and Tradesmen’s Qualification Act
 * Obtained positive amendments to the Mechanic’s Lien Act
 * Helped to introduce Garage Liability Insurance
 * Defended 28 of our members against incorrect charges of price fixing
 * Supported industry in the development of The Collision Repair Industry Agreement (CRIA)
 * Played a vital role in the development of the Canadian Automotive Service Information Standard (CASIS) – which was a much needed solution to the “Right To Repair” issue
 * Assisted with securing a provincial cap on vicarious liability
 * Assisted with achieving tax equality on the private sales of vehicles
 * Established the ARA Group Benefits Plan, a tailor-made insurance option for small to medium automotive businesses to meet their needs efficiently and cost effectively
 * Established a Fuel Surcharge formula for BC towers to deal with the volatile price fluctuations.
 * Developed the Environmental Code of Practice for auto recyclers that was enacted into legislation as a section of the British Columbia Environmental Management Act in September 2007.

Organizational Structure
The Automotive Retailers Association has eight divisions, each representing a different segment of the independent automotive industry. Each division has an elected chairperson and an executive committee, all of whom are members and business owners. Each division executive committee appoints a person to represent that division on the ARA board of directors. The remainder of the ARA board of directors is comprised of a chairperson, two vice chairpersons, the immediate past-chairperson, and a secretary-treasurer, all of whom are members who are elected by the general membership present during the Association’s Annual General Meeting and Convention. The ARA staff consists of the president & CEO, a controller, director of industry development, four industry relations advisors and the support staff. The ARA Group Insurance Plan is managed by a director and an administrative team. The ARA Publishing Company consists of a publisher/editor and a design/production professional.

Mission Statement

 * To be the engine of industry development, to set practices and standards that enhance opportunities for retail success while protecting the safety and satisfaction of the motoring public.
 * To create compelling opportunities for membership participation in enhancing our industry and the communities in which we operate.

Vision
Driving Industry Excellence

Core Values

 * Integrity
 * Ethics
 * Honesty
 * Professionalism
 * Candor
 * Adaptability

Towing and Recovery
The Towing and Recovery Division (TRD) represents the interests of the towing industry in B.C., with volunteers serving on the ICBC liaison committee to provide input on policies relating to rates for towing and storage of vehicles with ICBC insurance policies that have been involved in an accident. Another objective of the TRD is to increase the safety and professionalism of tow operators through education and training programs.

PowerSport Dealers
The PowerSport Dealers Division (PDD) evolved from the Motorcycle Dealers Advisory Committee of the B.C. Vehicle Sales Authority (VSA) because it was believed that this sector of the industry was under-represented in policy-making.

Licensed Motor Dealers
Members of the Licensed Motor Dealers Division (LMD) are automotive retailers, primarily of pre-owned vehicles, and are independent, rather than franchised new car dealerships. LMD members are located throughout the province and serve used car needs with competitive deals and fair and ethical practice business. All dealer members are licensed and registered by the Vehicle Sales Authority of B.C. (VSA) ensuring they comply with all provincial legislation.

Collision Repair
The Collision Repair Division (CRD) represents the interests of auto body shop businesses in B.C., including serving on liaison committees with ICBC, the Automotive Training Standards Organization, Metro Vancouver and other stakeholders. By serving on several ICBC liaison committees the ARA provides input on behalf of the industry to ICBC policies, including, but not limited to standards of performance, shop labour and parts and materials pay rates.

Mechanical Repair
The Mechanical Repair Division (MRD) represents the interests of auto repair shops in B.C. Through the ARA’s participation in the National Automotive Trades Association (NATA), the MRD played a key role in solving the issue commonly called “Right to Repair” (access to OEM repair and diagnostic information) for all Canadian repair shops. The result is the Canadian Automotive Service Information Standard (CASIS).

B.C. Auto Recyclers
The B.C. Auto Recyclers division (B-CAR) represents the interests of automobile recycling businesses who actively participate in environmental stewardship.

Auto Rental
The Auto Rental Division (ARD) was chartered in November of 1997 to represent the auto rental industry. This division liaises with the provincial government. The membership of this division is comprised of the larger major rental corporations as well as independently owned and operated rental companies.

Auto Glass
The Automotive Glass Division (AGD) represents the interest of auto glass repair businesses in B.C. By serving on the ICBC auto glass liaison committee, the AGD provides input on behalf of the industry to ICBC policies.

Company Information
The ARA has offices in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.