The Association of Global Automakers and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers announced Wednesday they will merge to form a new group representing the automobile industry.

The newly formed Alliance for Automotive Innovation "will work to speed the safe deployment of advances in personal transportation through effective public policy, stakeholder engagement and greater public understanding," the groups said in a statement. Global Automakers CEO John Bozzella will lead the merged association.

"As the singular, clear and respected voice of the automotive industry, it will be the role of this organization to help guide our members and partners through the exciting technological advances and transitions in the industry," Bozzella said.

Global Automakers is an $11 million-revenue association representing international automobile manufacturers. The Auto Alliance is a $33 million-revenue group presenting companies that build automobiles in the U.S. The latter at one time represented only domestic manufacturers but now has several foreign members who build vehicles in U.S. plants. Dave Schwietert has been leading the Auto Alliance as interim CEO since the departure of CEO Mitch Bainwol in early 2019. Schwietert will be chief policy officer of the new group, according to a story on Crain's Detroit Business.

The groups did not immediately say what the merger means for their staffs. The merged association will have offices in Washington, D.C., Detroit and Sacramento, Calif., and will retain all the members of both groups. A new webpage lists 34 members, including companies that do not manufacturer cars, such as Texas Instruments and Panasonic.

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