CLEPA (Comité de liaison européen des fabricants d'équipements et de pièces automobiles) was created in 1959 by various national associations representing automotive suppliers with the aim of establishing a representation office in Brussels, dealing mainly with the issue of technical regulations that the newly born European Economic Community was starting to define.

In 1997 the association was redesigned and changed its statutes to gain independence from other similar industry associations thus becoming more effective in its advocacy mission.

CLEPA then became the European Association of Automotive Suppliers and extended dramatically both its range of activities and its membership, including corporate members.