United States. The event brought together industry leaders at the University of Miami to discuss trends, trade and opportunities in the automotive aftermarket.
MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers held its 2025 Global Summit from February 19 to 21 at the University of Miami. The agenda included a tour of PortMiami, one of the main international trade platforms, followed by two days of conferences and panels with industry experts.
The event kicked off with a presentation by Ben Brucato, Vice President of Membership and Engagement at MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, who provided an overview of the sector and its global impact. Subsequently, Craig Allen, former president of the U.S. Business Council. The U.S.-China conference discussed China's role in the aftermarket, with an emphasis on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its implications for supply chains and competition.
During the day, Jim Pennig and Cinthya Rivera, from VIPAR, addressed the company's expansion in Latin America, followed by a panel with representatives of the main automotive associations in the region, who discussed the challenges and opportunities of the sector. The day concluded with a networking reception sponsored by OEC Group.
The second day of the summit opened with a presentation by Oscar García, leader of the HRV category at Amazon, on the growth of e-commerce in Latin America. Then, Diego Rodríguez, an expert in logistics and industry at AMI, presented an economic analysis of the region.
Another key issue was the impact of the new administration in Mexico, with a conference by Sergio Gómez, CEO of the Mexican Business Council, who presented his vision of the first 100 days of Claudia Sheinbaum's government and its implications for the industry. Later, Bill Frymoyer of MEMA discussed trade and tariff policies and their effect on the aftermarket for aftermarket.
The summit closed with a presentation on the Mexican distributor Apysma, with more than 40 years in the sector. Its commercial director, Eric Blasco, detailed the company's growth strategy and its interest in strengthening alliances with suppliers.
"The MEMA Aftermarket Global Summit, hosted by the Overseas Automotive Council (OAC), was a resounding success," said Brucato. "In a context of geopolitical uncertainty and changes in international trade, it is key to stay informed and generate spaces for dialogue to identify opportunities in the global market."
