Holding the first member meeting in December of 1956, the Automotive Sales Council was created by a group of senior sales and marketing executives from leading aftermarket parts manufacturers. The plan was to meet twice each year, sharing their knowledge and experience in the growing automotive aftermarket.
The Automotive Sales Council’s purpose is to provide an educational forum for the exchange of views, opinions and facts regarding the automotive parts industry, including research to further the health and expansion of the automotive service market. At the meetings each fall and spring the members, hear from and hold discussions with industry leaders, economic experts and more.
With a 65-year history and membership limited to one hundred executives, a seat on the Automotive Sales Council has been cherished for decades by those selected to join. Dave Caracci was first invited to join in 1985 while general manager of an engine parts manufacturer. A continual member since then, he became the council’s paid executive director in 2014.
In 2021, as recognition of a ‘job well done,’ the Automotive Sales Council Board of Directors made a donation to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation to establish the Automotive Sales Council David J Caracci scholarship.
This year, a $1,000 scholarship will be awarded in Caracci’s honor. Qualified candidates should be planning a career in the automotive aftermarket and entering or attending a full-time, post-secondary program at an accredited 2-year or 4-year college or university or an ASE/NATEF certified automotive vocational school.
Applications approved by the University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF) Scholarship Committee will be submitted to the UAF Board of Trustees for approval.
