Despite the existence of the Nepal Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), which has long represented the automobile sector in Nepal, major importers and manufacturers have announced the formation of a new body — the Nepal Automobile Importers and Manufacturers Association (NAIMA). The new association was officially launched on Wednesday, April 16.

Until now, all automotive stakeholders — including importers, spare parts dealers, lubricant traders, and tyre businesses — operated under the NADA umbrella. However, several importers and manufacturers have expressed concerns that NADA has increasingly come under the influence of component traders. They argue that this shift has led to the sidelining of key issues affecting core vehicle importers and manufacturers. In response, they have formed NAIMA to establish a platform focused specifically on their interests.

NAIMA was launched under the slogan “Path to Prosperity through Mobility” , with Ritu Singh Vaidya, Managing Director of United Traders Syndicate (the authorised distributor of Toyota in Nepal), appointed as the founding president. Businessperson Karan Chaudhary is serving as NAIMA’s senior executive.

What has attracted attention is the presence of some current NADA office-bearers on NAIMA’s board. Among NAIMA’s eleven board members are Nirakar Shrestha, Vice-President of NADA (representing Laxmi Motor Corporation), and Yamuna Shrestha of Cymex Inc., who is a current executive committee member of NADA. This overlap has raised questions about dual roles, especially as NADA had previously agreed to allow dual membership. Despite that understanding, NADA now appears to be reconsidering the arrangement.

A central executive committee member of NADA has confirmed that a proposal will be tabled at the next meeting to immediately remove those officials and members who have joined the board of the newly formed parallel organisation, NAIMA.

NAIMA’s board members maintain that their association will focus on key policy reforms, infrastructure development, innovation, road safety, consumer empowerment, and workforce development in the automobile sector.

Ritu Singh Vaidya clarified that she has not resigned from NADA, and stressed that NAIMA is not intended to operate as a parallel entity. Instead, it seeks to complement existing efforts by providing focused advocacy for importers and manufacturers. She also emphasized NAIMA’s aim to engage in both national and international collaboration in areas like policymaking, strategy, and industry development.

The founding members of NAIMA include notable figures from leading automobile businesses: Suhrid Raj Ghimire from Continental Trading, Shekhar Golchha of Hansraj Hulaschand & Co., Cabinet Shrestha of Agni Inc Pvt. Ltd., Saurabh Jyoti of Syakar Trading, Sandeep Kumar Sharda of SPG Automobiles, Nirakar Shrestha of Laxmi Motor Corporation, Yamuna Shrestha of Cymex Inc., Nikuñj Agrawal of Paramount Motors, Hemant Golchha of Shangrila Motors, and Udayan Kabra of Omni Motors.

Board members have stated that NAIMA will not compete with NADA, but rather work in coordination. One member said, “We are not trying to be a rival organisation. We aim to complement each other, but we will strongly advocate for policy clarity. The government's current classification of automobiles as luxury goods is placing undue pressure on the industry.”

NAIMA was officially registered under the Companies Act at the Office of the Company Registrar in Kathmandu on February 21, 2025.

Meanwhile, NADA is preparing to take internal action against members who serve on the NAIMA board. A NADA official confirmed that a motion will be presented at the next central executive committee meeting to remove such members. “With majority support, those serving dual roles will be dismissed,” the official said.

NAIMA, on its part, has already announced its first major event — the Nepal Mobility Expo , scheduled for August 6–10, 2025, at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu. The event, positioned as a counterpart to NADA’s longstanding vehicle expos, will showcase innovations and developments in Nepal’s automobile and mobility sectors. The official logo for the event was unveiled by Gaurav Sharda, a member of NAIMA’s Auto Show Committee.