International opportunities
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Explore International Markets

Current Trade Leads for U.S. Suppliers

Australia Germany Mexico Nigeria Saudi Arabia

Australian company is seeking automotive headlight restoration wipes for retail sale in Australia and New Zealand.

Specifically, they are looking for a two part wet wipe system used to refresh degraded plastic headlights on cars (the first wipe chemically removes and changes the composition of degraded headlight plastic; and, the second wipe seals the converted surface). The result is clear headlights.

Contact: Duncan.Archibald@trade.gov, U.S. Commercial Specialist, U.S. Consulate, Sydney, Australia

German commercial vehicle systems & components manufacturer is searching for:

  • Brake Calipers - spheroidal graphite (ductile) iron
  • Threaded Sleeves - preferred manufacturing technology is cold working/deformation (presses with high closing force are required); machining of the parts should be performed inhouse. The component's weight is approximately 0.6 kg / 1.3 lb.

Required Certifications: International Standard for Automotive Quality Management Systems, IATF 16949 (for brake calipers ISO 9001 may also suffice, TBD)

Information Needed: Company overview and locations, certifications, product spectrum, manufacturing capabilities, references, list of supplied industries

Contact: Felix.Happe@trade.gov, U.S. Commercial Specialist, U.S. Consulate-Frankfurt

Daimler Mexico is a German manufacturer of first-class automobiles, vans, and tractor trucks. They offer personalized services to their clients. The Daimler Group, with 9,000 employees since 2007, handles the following brands in Mexico: Freightliner and Diesel. Freightliner is a U.S. tractor truck manufacturer headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Daimler Mexico coordinates with Daimler Financial Services, which covers the leasing, insurance, and financing of fleets. Daimler has three manufacturing plants for commercial vehicles and an international distribution center, as well as 90 points of sale. https://www.daimler.com.mx/view/index

CS Mexico is working with Daimler to help them identify U.S. suppliers to increase USMCA Regional Value Content.

OE Parts / Processes: Rubber seals (extrusion) - Molded rubber parts - Blow molding - Plastic Injection Molding (Spot Welding) -  Back-up alarms - Drilling on Stringers - Founding of Aluminum by gravity - Manufacturing of fuel tanks - Screws with European Regulations - Automotive Labels - Automotive Manual Printing - Gearshift Lever Machining: gears, brake parts such as brake chambers, slacks, brake shoes, and rotors. Calipers: rear axle castings, front axle castings, drum brakes, ADB (Calipers), Drivelines, Steering gears, lighting, louvers, fifth wheels, iron castings, inverters, control units, displays, semiconductors, DEF tank.

Aftermarket Parts: Gears Castings (AL, Iron) - Brake - Chambers - Slacks - Brake Shoes - Rotors - Calipers - Mirrors - Hoods - Grills - Lights - Bumpers.

Contact: Monica.Martinez@trade.gov, +52.55.5080.2000 x 5218, U.S. Commercial Specialist, U.S. Embassy, Mexico City

Nigerian company, ETS Jinga in Yaounde, Nigeria, is seeking U.S. suppliers of spare parts, used cars and engine oil for resale purposes.

Contact: Chamberlain.Eke@trade.gov, Commercial Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, Nigeria

Saudi Arabian company, SADAN, is seeking U.S. lubricant companies interested in distributing products in the Saudi market.

Contact: Anwar.Shaqhan@trade.gov, Senior Commercial Specialist, U.S. Foreign Commercial Service, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Events & Webinars

U.S. Department of Commerce

 

Export - Import Bank

International Markets Resources

U.S. Commercial Service

Africa

Chile

China

Colombia

Costa Rica

El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

Italy

Mexico

Nigeria

Peru

South Africa

Trade Missions

Please check back in the coming months for our next trade mission schedule.

The Auto Care Association has hosted eight successful trade missions as part of the Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) award from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The association received the award to help U.S. companies in the automotive industry increase exports to free trade agreement partners in Latin America. Read more about them:

For more information regarding the Auto Care Association’s trade missions or other international opportunities, please contact Carolina Arregoces.

In Partnership With:

what attendees have to say about trade missions

“The high level of engagement from the Auto Care team and AmCham Colombia before and during the trade mission far surpassed our expectations. They were able to secure in-person meetings with top-notch customers that will lead to the distribution of our products. It would have taken us multiple phone calls, trips to the country and thousands of dollars to engage with customers, all without having the required inside knowledge that the team brought to the table.”

Luis Perez Morales, senior manager, international sales and operations, Interstate Batteries 
2019 Colombia trade mission

 

“We have had great success in finding highly motivated individuals and locally established businesses to meet with us face-to-face and discuss acquiring our products. This adds more credence by being there, rather than just conference calls and emails. If you want to grow your business or industry outside of your comfort zone, act quickly. Based on our experience, I highly recommend trying your best efforts to do the same by joining the Auto Care Association and participate in their trade mission program.”

Santiago Estrada, international account executive, Warco Products 
2018 Costa Rica trade mission

 

“The trade mission was extremely well organized, from the personalized meeting agenda, qualifying the prospects to the logistical help from Auto Care and the U.S. Commercial Service. Not only did we make some great contacts, we had the ability to see the market and the only way to do that is to be on the ground. The trip completely met and exceeded my expectations, and I hope to participate again in the future.”

Harold Menke, director of sales/special markets, Centric Parts 
2017 Honduras - Nicaragua trade mission

 

“For a small company like the Murray Corporation, we do not have all the resources to organize a fact-finding mission ourselves. If I attend a trade show and talk to a distributor, I do not have anything to demonstrate my credibility. Through Auto Care’s trade mission, the U.S. Embassy requested meetings on our behalf, automatically boosting our credibility as a legitimate company.”

Mike Sre, international sales manager, Murray Corporation 
2017 Colombia trade mission

 

“The meetings we’ve had were certainly worthwhile. The trade mission value was very appealing, especially the turnkey element of having all meetings, local transportation, hotel and meals arranged. We are very interested in participating in future Auto Care trade missions as long as there is a market for our product.”

Tim Williams, VP, commercial sales, Penda Corporation 
2017 Colombia trade mission

 

“I had not anticipated that this trade mission to Lima, Peru would be as productive as it has been. The briefings presented Tuesday by Peruvian and U.S. Embassy officials, and from the representative from the Automotive Association of Peru, were thorough and very informative. They clearly put into context the opportunities and challenges that exist in the Peruvian aftermarket. The site visits, as well as the one-on-one meetings that were pre-arranged, were very effective. I am certain that I will develop significant new business from this trade mission. The Auto Care Association did an excellent job in organizing and executing this event.”

Mick Jordan, vice president, marketing, Cloyes Gear and Products 
2016 Peru trade mission

 

“We would like to extend our thanks to the Auto Care Association for setting up the trade mission to Guatemala. Our experience during this event has been of a positive outcome. Having the opportunity to meet with the leading companies in the automotive industry in Guatemala has opened a wide range of business venues we were long due to achieve. We would like to support this program and hopefully participate in the upcoming missions to other countries scheduled for the future, and encourage all the companies in the auto care industry to participate in these trade missions.”

Jorge Amaya, delegate from Herko Automotive Group 
2016 Guatemala trade mission

 

“The Auto Care Association and the U.S. Commercial Service did a magnificent job of setting up productive meetings with local businesses which are eagerly ready to create business relationships with our U.S. organization.”

Daniel Moroles, sales and market development manager, Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc. 
2016 Guatemala trade mission

 

“I feel that the meetings were all done professionally, with people I am looking to do business with. 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.”

Albert Montaner, regional manager, The Parts House 
2018 Chile trade mission