Five automotive industry associations have formed a new group to defend the North American Free Trade Agreement from efforts by the Trump administration to alter the 23-year-old accord.

The U.S. currently is attempting to renegotiate NAFTA with Mexico and Canada, although so far both countries have resisted many of the proposed changes. President Donald Trump is a NAFTA critic and has suggested withdrawing from the agreement to negotiate better terms for the U.S.

In a statement Tuesday, the "Driving American Jobs" coalition warned against major changes to the trade deal. The group said NAFTA has been vital in revitalizing the U.S. automotive industry in recent years.

"NAFTA continues to spur innovation and support high-paying U.S. jobs. It's important to remember that these jobs are not just numbers," said John Bozzella, CEO of the Association of Global Automakers, one of the coalition's five association members. "They belong to hardworking Americans across the country who support their families and communities by working for auto manufacturers across the United States."

The other four members are the American Automotive Policy Council, American International Automobile Dealers Association, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association.

"Our biggest concern is for American workers and customers," said Jennifer Thomas, vice president of federal affairs at the Auto Alliance. "Pulling out of NAFTA would lead to a decrease in vehicle production, a decline in jobs and an increase in what our customers spend when buying a new vehicle."

MEMA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ann Wilson said the coalition welcomes "modernization" of NAFTA, but "this must be done with care."

"The objective of NAFTA renegotiation must be to strengthen U.S. manufacturing competitiveness by maintaining the robust and open supply chain that has helped fuel the 19 percent increase in motor vehicle parts manufacturing jobs we have seen over the last four years," she said.

The coalition's website is DrivingAmericanJobs.com.

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