Founded in the year 1958, The Motor Traders Association of Hong Kong (MTA) comprises of all the authorized vehicle importers in Hong Kong, including the distributors of passenger cars, commercial vehicles, buses and taxi. The association also admits companies and organizations as associated members who are engaged in motor- related industries, such as auto parts, oil companies, finance and insurance suppliers.
A group of motor trade businessmen who, at that time, felt they needed an unified voice to conduct their business both within the trade and with relevant government bodies, decided to start the MTA.
The objectives of the association are to:
1. create a business environment which will be conducive to the development of the motor trade.
2. provide a platform for member companies to unify, promote and co-ordinate their voice and interest.
3. offer a channel to review, respond co-ordinate and recommend to the Government on their transport related policies and regulations.
4. render a medium for consumers to reflect their opinions and communicate their motor related needs
With the objectives as outlined above, it is the MTAˇ¦s mission to make the motor industry as a professional body and be able to communicate effectively with all mediums. At the same time, the members strive to provide quality products as well as guaranteed after sales support, which are backed up by their respective manufacturer principals.
The MTA accepts membership on a brand basis, any company holding multi franchises are invited to join as separate members. At present, the association has 44 full members and 7 associate members. Every year, at the annual general meeting, a panel of seven committee members are elected. The executive committee will meet every month to review and process matters related to the motor industry.
(The committee members of MTA)
The association also has subsidiary associations focusing on auto parts (Auto Parts Management Association) and on Service (Service Managers Association). These two associations contribute their expertise in their respective fields and reports to the MTA chairman.
In past 47 years, the MTA has matured and developed along with the local economy. It has evolved from a band of enthusiastic motor trade professionals trying to regulate the trade, into a structured and professionally established trade association which officially recognized to represent the motor industry, by the government, public media and other walks of life. In recent years, the association also got recognized internationally by manufacturers industry associations such as JAMA from Japan and ACEA from Europe.
The association also takes active role to offer recommendation, co-ordinate with related parties to transport associated developments. Over the years, the association has succeeded to put forward initiatives to the government, such as revision of First Registration Tax, emission standards, vehicles recall procedures.
By today, the association is intensively engaging in the revision of vehicle design standards, type approval procedures, future emission updates, as well as the streamlining of vehicle licensing and customs declaration procedures
In the area of vehicle service standards, the association has strongly recommended to the authorities that both vehicle mechanics and workshops must be licensed and regulated by a set of standards. This subject is currently under Government consideration.
