SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549



                                    Form 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT



                         Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                          Date of Report: July 17, 2000


                 CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                 ----------------------------------------------
                  (Originator of the Trust referred to herein)


                     CHASE MANHATTAN AUTO OWNER TRUST 1998-A
           ----------------------------------------------------------
                                    (Issuer)
           (Exact name of the registrant as specified in its charter)


       United States                   333-36939                22-2382082
- ----------------------------    ------------------------    -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction    (Commission File Number)    (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                                           Identification No.)


              802 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, Delaware            19801
              -----------------------------------------         ------------
              (Address of principal executive offices)           (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (302) 575-5033




Item 5.  Other Events:

         Chase Manhattan Auto Owner Trust 1998-A is the issuer of 4 classes of
Asset Backed Notes and a single class of Asset Backed Certificates. The notes
and certificates are serviced in accordance with the Sale and Servicing
Agreement, dated as of February 1, 1998, as amended. The parties to the Sale and
Servicing Agreement are: Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National Association, as
seller and as servicer, and Chase Manhattan Owner Trust, as issuer.

         On July 17, 2000, Chase USA, as servicer, distributed monthly interest
to the holders of the notes and certificates. Chase USA furnished a copy of the
monthly statement to certificateholders for each of the series as required by
the Sale and Servicing Agreement. A copy of the monthly statement to
certificateholders is being filed as Exhibit 20.1 to this Current Report on Form
8-K.

Item 7(c).        Exhibits

                  Exhibits          Description
                  --------          -----------

                  20.1              Monthly Statement to Certificateholder with
                                    respect to the July 17, 2000 distribution.





                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


Dated:  July 26, 2000

                                            By: THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, USA,
                                            NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                                            as Servicer



                                            By: /s/ Patricia Garvey
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Name: Patricia Garvey
                                            Title: Vice President




                                            INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                                            -----------------

Exhibit No.                                 Description
- -----------                                 -----------

20.1                                        Statement to Certificateholders
                                            dated 7/17/2000 delivered
                                            pursuant to Section 5.8 of the
                                            Sale and Servicing Agreement
                                            dated as of February 1, 1998.