Posted by
Auto Care News
on
August 30, 2018
BETHESDA, Md. –
August 30, 2018 – The Auto Care Association hosted a trade mission to Chile on Aug. 21-22, as part of the
Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) award from the U.S. Department of
Commerce. The association received the award to help the automotive industry
increase exports to free trade agreement partners in Latin America.
Trade missions
are business development opportunities to gain first-hand market information
and participate in one-on-one meetings with potential clients and partners. The
association, in collaboration with the U.S. Commercial Service, has organized
trade missions to Peru, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica
in the past two years.
Trade mission
delegates participated in personalized business-to-business matchmaking
meetings with foreign industry executives, pre-screened to match companies’
specific business objectives. Delegates also had the opportunity to participate
in a country briefing and a networking reception hosted by the chargé d'affaires
of the U.S. Embassy in Santiago, Chile.
“I feel that the
meetings were all done professionally, with people I am looking to do business
with,” said Albert Montaner, regional manager, The Parts House, and Auto Care
Association member. “I personally think I will be doing business with everybody
that I met, without a doubt. The trade mission was priced right. For what
we got, it was a pure benefit – a good ‘bang for the buck.’”
“We definitely
got value from the trade mission,” said Linda Hamill, sales manager, BWI Parts,
and Auto Care Association member. “We expect new sales right away
and believe we will recoup the money spent on the trade mission from newly
generated sales. We learned a lot about doing business in Chile. The local
companies shared their challenges and the types of products they need. All the
information gained from local vendors was insightful and helpful in growing our
export business.”
“The trade mission
is a good tool for any company that is trying to move into a new market,” said Javier
Betancourt, vice president, sales, Herrero & Sons Corp. “It’s money well
spent, it’s worth it. It was well-organized; you get a glimpse of the market
and the key players.”
For more
information about the Auto Care Association’s international initiatives and
activities, please visit autocare.org/international.
For additional event information, please contact Carolina Arregoces at carolina.arregoces@autocare.org
or 240-333-1037.

