JOIN THE AUTOMOTIVE RETAILERS ASSOCIATION OF BC
Your industry is stronger when you're in it together.
The ARA has been the unified voice of BC’s automotive service industry since 1951. Whether you’re in collision repair, towing, auto glass, mechanical, recycling, or motor vehicle sales — membership gives you the advocacy, savings, and community to protect and grow your business.
The Reality
Running an automotive business in BC has never been more complex.
Government regulations shift. ICBC policies change. Labour shortages grow. Vehicle technology evolves faster than most shops can keep up. If you’re trying to navigate all of this on your own, you’re working harder than you need to.
ARA members don’t face these challenges alone. When your industry needs a seat at the table — with ICBC, with government, with WorkSafeBC — the ARA is already there, representing you.
It's like a protective wall that surrounds you.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
What you get from an ARA membership.
The tools, protection, and connections that over 1,000 BC automotive businesses already rely on.
Industry Advocacy
The ARA represents your interests directly with ICBC, the BC government, and WorkSafeBC. From fighting for fair labour rates to shaping regulation around new vehicle technology, we bring one unified voice to every conversation that affects your business.
Group Health Insurance
Canada’s longest-running association group benefits plan — self-administered since 1952. Because we work for you, not the insurance company, our plan has stayed stable for over 70 years. This alone can pay for your membership.
Supplier discounts & buying power.
ARA membership connects you to negotiated pricing on business insurance, credit card processing, uniforms, office supplies, collection services, group RRSP, and more. These savings go straight to your bottom line.
Training & Certification
Access the ARA Centre of Excellence for online courses, OHS resources, and industry certification programs. Demonstrate your commitment to business excellence and keep your team current on evolving vehicle technology.
Networking & Community
Meet peers across every automotive sector — collision, mechanical, towing, glass, recycling, and dealerships — through division meetings, conferences, and events. Members consistently say the cross-sector connections are one of the biggest unexpected benefits.
Industry Intelligence
Get timely market data, government policy updates, and industry news delivered through ARA publications and member communications. Stay informed so you can make better business decisions.
INDUSTRY DIVISIONS
Find your division.
Each division has dedicated staff, sector-specific advocacy, and tailored programs. Select yours to see the impact we’re making.
In Their Words
Why members stick with ARA.
The ARA can do things we can't do on our own. Whether it's government regulations, ICBC policy, or fighting for fair rates, they've been first to the fight every single time.
My success has been improved by all the connections. I get to meet people on the mechanical side, the dealership side, towing... people I'd never cross paths with otherwise.
ARA has always been there through the challenges for us. They've been first to the fight every time we've faced major challenges, whether it's government regulations, ICBC, or helping us fight for rates, labor shortages, and the like.
What we do every day at Craftsman Collision is really enhanced by the work that the Automotive Retailers Association does behind the scenes.
Is ARA membership right for your organization?
If your business operates in the BC automotive service industry, the ARA was built for you. Our members include independent shop owners, multi-location operators, dealership service departments, towing companies, auto recyclers, glass installers, and fleet service providers across the province.
You don’t need to be a large operation to benefit. Many members say the group insurance plan and supplier discounts alone cover the cost of membership several times over — before you even factor in the advocacy, training, and networking.
Whether you’ve been in the industry for 30 years or you’re just getting started, you belong here.
ARA Members include:
- Independent collision repair shops
- Mechanical repair businesses
- Towing & recovery operators
- Auto glass installers
- Automotive recyclers
- Licensed motor dealers
- Multi-location operators
- Dealership service departments
- Fleet service providers
EVENTS & CONFERENCES
Connect with us at ARA events.
ARA events bring the industry together, creating a strong community where you can connect, learn, and be recognized for your contributions. Whether it’s networking with peers, gaining insights from experts, or celebrating industry achievements, our events keep you engaged and inspired. Join ARA and be part of something bigger.
LET'S GET STARTED
Ready to join BC's largest automotive trade association?
Membership connects you to the advocacy, savings, training, and community that over 1,000 BC automotive businesses already rely on. Apply today — it takes less than five minutes.
Have questions first? Contact us
Frequently asked questions about ARA membership.
The Automotive Retailers Association (ARA) is British Columbia’s largest automotive trade association, representing the province’s automotive service industry since 1951. The ARA advocates for its members with government, ICBC, and industry stakeholders while providing group health insurance, training, certification, supplier discounts, and business support services across six industry divisions.
Any business operating in BC’s automotive service industry is eligible for ARA membership. This includes collision repair shops, mechanical repair shops, towing and recovery companies, auto glass installers, automotive recyclers, and licensed motor dealers — from independent single-location operators to multi-location enterprises.
The ARA is organized into six industry divisions: Automotive Glass, Automotive Recycling, Collision Repair, Licensed Motor Dealers, Mechanical Repair, and Towing & Recovery. Each division has dedicated staff, sector-specific advocacy, and tailored programs for its members.
Membership fees vary based on your business type and division. Many members find that the group health insurance plan and supplier discounts alone cover the cost of membership several times over. Contact the ARA directly for current pricing specific to your business.
Key benefits include industry advocacy with ICBC and the BC government, access to Canada’s longest-running association group health benefits plan (since 1952), negotiated supplier discounts, professional training through the ARA Centre of Excellence, industry certification programs, networking across six automotive sectors, and dedicated support from a team of 14 industry professionals.
The ARA represents the unified voice of BC’s automotive service industry in conversations with ICBC, the provincial government, WorkSafeBC, and other stakeholders. This includes advocating for fair labour rates, shaping regulations around new vehicle technology, addressing workforce shortages through programs like AutoCareersBC, and ensuring that independent operators have a seat at the table when policy decisions are made.
Yes. The ARA operates Canada’s longest-running association group benefits plan, self-administered since 1952. Because the plan is run by the ARA — not an insurance company — the priority is member stability and value. The plan has remained one of the most stable association group benefits programs in the country.
You can apply online at ara.bc.ca/membership-application-form/. The application takes approximately five minutes. If you have questions before applying, you can reach the ARA team through the contact page at ara.bc.ca/contact/.
Yes. The ARA runs AutoCareersBC, a workforce development program that connects employers with job seekers in the automotive sector. The ARA also actively works to attract diverse talent to the industry, including programs designed to increase representation of women and underrepresented groups in automotive trades. Initiatives like the Pedal Car program bring students into shops to build early interest in collision repair careers.
No. The ARA serves businesses of all sizes, from single-location independent shops to multi-location operations. Many of the ARA’s most valuable benefits — group insurance, supplier discounts, advocacy — are proportionally even more impactful for smaller operators who wouldn’t have access to them on their own.