The Tennessee Automotive Manufacturers Association (TAMA) was formed in 1987 in response to Tennessee's rapidly growing automotive manufacturing industry led by Nissan North America and Saturn Corporation. Specifically, TAMA helps Tennessee automotive companies react to the challenges of the global automotive marketplace.

TAMA's original purpose was to provide a forum for interaction among the many automotive industry companies choosing to locate or form in Tennessee. The organization has since expanded its scope to include in- and out-of-state businesses as well as companies integrally related to the automotive industry.