Retail Motor Industry Federation

What Retail Motor Industry Federation does

The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI), legally Retail Motor Industry Federation Limited, is a UK private trade federation established in 1913 and headquartered at 201 Great Portland Street, London. The RMI operates as an umbrella holding organization for eight national trade associations that cover the principal verticals of the UK motor industry: the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), Independent Garage Association, Petrol Retailers Association (UKPRA), National Body Repair Association, National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA), National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA), Cherished Numbers Dealers Association (CNDA), and Vehicle Builders & Repairers Association (VBRA). The federation generates revenue through recurring membership subscriptions paid by trade businesses across these segments.

The core technology is a membership services platform comprising a public website (rmif.co.uk), a dedicated member portal at members.rmif.co.uk authenticated by membership number and postcode, and a telephone member helpline (01788 538 399). Beyond trade representation, RMI operates three wholly-owned service subsidiaries: the RMI Academy of Automotive Skills (training and qualifications), the National Conciliation Service (independent dispute resolution between consumers and motor industry members), and the RMI Webshop (rmiwp.co.uk) for industry resources. A public Find a Member directory extends service reach to end consumers.

The go-to-market motion is community-led, acquiring members through the eight associations and retaining them via bundled benefits including legal helpline access, training, dispute resolution, policy advocacy, and industry data bulletins. Members are B2B trade businesses (franchised dealers, independent garages, petrol retailers, body repairers, motorcycle dealers, motor auction operators, cherished numbers dealers, vehicle builders/repairers) rather than individual consumers. Marketing channels consist primarily of press releases, bulletins, and a Twitter account (@RMI_PressPolicy). The organization operates exclusively in the United Kingdom, is privately held with no parent company, and shows no external equity backing.

Name

Retail Motor Industry Federation

Legal name

Retail Motor Industry Federation Limited

Website

https://rmif.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1913

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Retail Motor Industry Federation is a UK automotive trade federation established in 1913, operating as an umbrella body for eight national associations serving franchised dealers, independent garages, petrol retailers, body repairers, motorcycle dealers, motor auctions, cherished numbers dealers, and vehicle builders/repairers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Trade Federation

NAICS

Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers (441)

SIC

Retail-Auto Dealers & Gasoline Stations (5500)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Membership Clubs (Category-Focused) (CRAEADAI)

Keywords

• Automotive trade federation
• Trade association membership
• Motor industry representation
• Automotive dispute resolution
• Automotive training services

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: The RMI operates as a membership-based trade federation, generating revenue through membership fees from automotive trade businesses. Members include franchised dealers, independent garages, petrol retailers, body repairers, motorcycle dealers, motor auction businesses, and vehicle builders/repairers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

The Retail Motor Industry Federation is a UK-based automotive trade federation and umbrella organization for eight national trade associations, providing membership services to motor industry businesses. Its core offerings include trade representation and policy advocacy, a legal helpline, the RMI Academy of Automotive Skills for training, the National Conciliation Service for dispute resolution, and member resources via a dedicated online portal. Members include franchised dealers, independent garages, petrol retailers, body repairers, motorcycle dealers, motor auction businesses, cherished numbers dealers, and vehicle builders/repairers.

Product overview

The Retail Motor Industry Federation is a federation/holding organization that serves as the umbrella body for multiple UK automotive trade associations. Rather than a single unified product, it comprises a portfolio of associated organizations including the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), Independent Garage Association, Petrol Retailers Association, National Body Repair Association, National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA), National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA), Cherished Numbers Dealers Association, and Vehicle Builders & Repairers Association. Supporting services include the RMI Academy Of Automotive Skills (training), National Conciliation Service (dispute resolution), RMI Webshop (ecommerce), a member directory, and a members helpline. The organization has operated since 1913 supporting the UK motor industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) Membership Trade association membership providing advocacy, market data, and regulatory representation for UK franchised automobile dealers.
• Independent Garage Association Membership Trade association membership providing support, training, and representation for independent automotive repair garages.
• Petrol Retailers Association Membership Trade association membership providing industry representation and support for UK petrol station operators and fuel retailers.
• National Body Repair Association Membership Trade association membership providing support for collision repair and refinishing industry professionals and vehicle body repair businesses.
• National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) Membership Trade association membership providing industry data, MCIA registration figures, advocacy, and member support for UK motorcycle dealers.
• National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA) Membership Trade association membership providing representation and market reporting for motor auction businesses involved in vehicle remarketing.
• Cherished Numbers Dealers Association (CNDA) Membership Trade association membership providing industry support and representation for dealers specializing in cherished and personalized vehicle registration numbers.
• Vehicle Builders & Repairers Association (VBRA) Membership Trade association membership providing industry support and representation for vehicle builders and repairers.
• RMI Academy of Automotive Skills Training and education service providing automotive skills development, qualifications, and professional development courses for industry professionals.
• National Conciliation Service (NCS) Free independent dispute resolution service providing conciliation between consumers and motor industry member businesses.
• Members Legal Helpline Telephone helpline (01788 538 399) providing RMI members with expert legal advice, guidance, and support on industry matters.
• Find a Member Directory Online searchable directory enabling consumers and businesses to locate verified RMI member businesses across various automotive sectors.
• RMI Webshop Online retail platform offering members access to industry resources, publications, and supplies.

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA)coreOthersNFDA is one of the eight associations under the RMI umbrella, representing franchised automobile dealers in the UK. NFDA provides industry data on new car registrations, LCV market performance, and responds to regulatory matters affecting franchised dealers.
• Independent Garage AssociationcoreOthersRepresents independent automotive repair and service businesses as part of the RMI federation structure.
• Petrol Retailers Association (UKPRA)coreOthersRepresents petrol and fuel retail station operators under the RMI umbrella.
• National Body Repair AssociationcoreOthersRepresents automotive body repair and accident repair specialists as part of the RMI structure.
• National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA)coreOthersRepresents motorcycle and scooter dealers, providing market data including MCIA registration figures and industry performance updates.
• National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA)coreOthersRepresents motor auction businesses, reports on wholesale market conditions and electric vehicle confidence.
• Cherished Numbers Dealers Association (CNDA)coreOthersRepresents dealers specializing in cherished/fancy number plates as part of the RMI federation.
• Vehicle Builders & Repairers Association (VBRA)coreOthersRepresents vehicle body builders and repair specialists under the RMI structure.
• National Conciliation Service (NCS)minorOthersDispute resolution service provided for RMI members dealing with consumer complaints and industry disputes.
• RMI Academy Of Automotive SkillsminorOthersTraining and skills development academy for automotive industry professionals, offering courses and qualifications for RMI members.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Canadian Automobile Association (CAA): Canadian membership-based motoring federation offering roadside assistance, insurance and travel services. Comparable to RMI as a long-standing category-focused membership organization, though its consumer-facing services differ from RMI's B2B trade focus.

Broad incumbents

• National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA): US trade association representing franchised new-car dealers. Comparable to RMI's NFDA sub-segment in particular, offering policy advocacy, dealer education and industry data, but operating at much larger scale in the US market.
• National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA): US trade body for independent used-vehicle dealers, providing education, certification and legislative advocacy. Comparable to RMI's Independent Garage Association and used-car dealer member base, though focused on used-vehicle retail specifically.

Direct peers

• Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA): UK motorcycle industry trade body covering manufacturers, distributors and dealers. Directly comparable to RMI's National Motorcycle Dealers Association sub-segment, with similar publication of motorcycle registration data (MCIA figures cited in RMI/NMDA bulletins).
• Garage Equipment Association (GEA): UK trade association for the garage equipment supply chain, including distributors and workshops. Comparable to RMI's Independent Garage Association sub-vertical as a trade body supporting the UK garage aftermarket ecosystem.
• British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA): UK trade body representing the vehicle rental, leasing and fleet sector. Comparable to RMI as a UK-focused automotive trade association offering advocacy, compliance guidance and member services, though addressing the fleet/rental segment specifically rather than retail/dealer.
• Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT): The UK's largest automotive trade body, representing manufacturers and traders. Highly comparable to RMI as a UK-wide trade federation with policy advocacy, market data publishing and member services, but oriented to the manufacturer/OEM side rather than retail/dealer side.
• Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI): UK professional body for the automotive sector focused on professional registration, training accreditation and qualifications. Directly comparable to RMI Academy of Automotive Skills and aligned with RMI's training/standards mandate, but structured as a professional body rather than a trade federation.
• National Caravan Council (NCC): UK trade body representing caravan, motorhome and park home manufacturers, dealers and ancillary services. Comparable to RMI as a UK-focused multi-vertical federation with dealer, manufacturer and aftermarket member services.
• The Motor Ombudsman: UK automotive dispute resolution and accreditation body providing impartial conciliation between consumers and motor businesses. Highly comparable to RMI's National Conciliation Service in particular and overlaps with RMI's franchised-dealer advocacy remit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RMI_PressPolicy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Retail Motor Industry Federation