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: May 15, 2001


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


                     CHASE MANHATTAN AUTO OWNER TRUST 1997-A
           ----------------------------------------------------------
                                    (Issuer)
           (Exact name of the registrant as specified in its charter)



      United States                    333-7575                  22-2382028
- ----------------------------    ------------------------     ------------------
(State or other jurisdiction    (Commission File Number)       (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                                            Identification No.)


           200 White Clay Center Drive, Newark, DE      19711-5466
           ---------------------------------------      ----------
          (Address of principal executive offices)       (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (302) 575-5000





Item 5.  Other Events:

         Chase Manhattan Auto Owner Trust 1997-A is the issuer of 5 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 28, 1997, as amended. The parties to the Sale
and Servicing Agreement are: Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National Association
("Chase USA"), as seller and as servicer, and Chase Manhattan Owner Trust, as
issuer.

         On May 15, 2001, 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 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 Certificateholders with
                                    respect to the May 15, 2001 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: May 15, 2001

                                                   By: 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 May 15, 2001
                           delivered pursuant to Section 5.8 of the Sale and
                           Servicing Agreement dated as of February 28, 1997.