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We have always greatly valued our membership of the largest motor industry trade association in the UK and joined the 'Automotive Consultants Group' (ACG) many years ago at the specific encouragement of the (then) management SMMT. A couple of years ago the new/slimmed SMMT management decided that consultants per se were 'dirty' and disbanded the ACG, at the same time increasing subscriptions for such individuals and practices by many multiples, thus forcing all consulting members to resign - a retrograde step which prevents the SMMT from representing a series of tier 1 suppliers to car makers - and one of the last remaining British owned corners of the shrinking British Motor industry. However, with gritty determination we at MWA decided to continue in membership using our reconditioning import/export business as our justification for membership. We have supported the British Motor industry in every way we can and have regarded our annual subscription to the SMMT as a donation for 'belonging', not expecting any particular pay-back. There has since been unprovoked and surprising antagonism from certain SMMT personnel and consequently we are negotiating with the SMMT regarding our continuing membership. We do not believe we are being treated even-handedly as members - and we have absolutely no reason to suspect we will be treated more even-handedly as future non-members. Nevertheless, we adhere to the ACG Code of Practice which was originated by the SMMT (Adrian Walsh and Hilary Alderson several years ago) although the SMMT now claim that they did not write it, and do not admit to any knowledge of it. We have a copy of the original file, clearly showing its SMMT authorship. As they say, watch this space! Correct at 13 March 2006. |
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