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  • Law and Order
    Posted on:
    May 01 2013
    Law and Order is an update of some of the most recent federal and state legislative and regulatory issues that could potentially impact the automotive specialty-equipment industry. These include issues affecting small-business owners and their employees.

    SEMA News—May 2013

    LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS
    By Steve McDonald

    Law and Order

    STATE UPDATE

  • Chevy’s Little Giant
    Posted on:
    May 01 2013
    It’s December 1967, and the men about to fire that Chevy small-block on the engine dyno are Jim Travers and Frank Coon, founders of Traco Engineering. Commanding their attention is a Trans-Am race engine—possibly destined for one of Roger Penske’s Sunoco Z/28 Camaros—and Car Craft magazine’s Bob Swaim is chronicling “Traco’s magic touch” to see how the legendary engine builders squeeze more than 400 hp from “a basically stock 301ci engine with the Z/28 options.” Swaim’s story, “Chevy’s Little ‘301’ Giant,” appeared in the magazine’s March 1968 issue.Traco (a contraction of Travers’ and Coon’s last names) was founded in 1957 after the pair served as mechanics for Bill Vukovich during his Indy 500 wins in 1953 and 1954.

    SEMA News—May 2013

    HERITAGE
    By Drew Hardin
    Photo Courtesy Petersen Archive

  • Making Headway Overseas
    Posted on:
    May 01 2013
    SEMA members create products for vehicles that are sold globally, and a growing number are looking to overseas markets for new business opportunities. OMIX-ADA, headquartered in Suwanee, Georgia, has more than 15,000 Jeep parts and accessories in stock and has been selling them globally for years, but the company expanded its international business department a few years. Now, OMIX-ADA’s international business is growing faster.For this second in a periodic series of articles about SEMA members that are making headway in growing their overseas business, Nathan Calabrese, OMIX-ADA’s director of international sales, provided insights into how the company identifies markets to target, what company executives look for in a distributor, and offers some tips on how to get started selling internationally.

    SEMA News—May 2013

    INTERNATIONAL
    By Alysha Webb

    Making Headway Overseas

    Part II: Getting Started Globally

  • Taking Your Product Data to the Next Level—With Sales to Match!
    Posted on:
    May 01 2013
    It happens to all of us: You just can’t pull the trigger on a purchase simply because there isn’t enough information to make you comfortable with the decision. It might be on the Internet, where you’re staring at a page with vague content and poor pictures, or it could be in a brick-and-mortar store, where you’re dealing with a salesperson who just doesn’t know his or her stuff. Other times, it all seems to fall together. The salesperson is informative and knowledgeable, or the Internet presentation is complete and confidence inspiring, resulting in a quick, satisfying purchase.Obviously, research plays a critical role in this decision-making and sales cycle. Like many of you, when I’m ready to spend some hard-earned money, I dive into research mode. What are other people saying about this product? How much information is available? Can I be confident that it will meet my needs?

    SEMA News—May 2013

    BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY
    By Jon Wyly

  • Industry Veteran Mike Spagnola to Lead SEMA Product Development Center
    Posted on:
    May 01 2013
    SEMA has hired industry veteran Mike Spagnola to fill the newly created position of vice president of OEM and product development programs, effective immediately. Spagnola brings with him 40 years of specialty auto parts experience, including more than 20 years of product development and project-vehicle work. With a focus on heightening SEMA services to help members develop products quickly and efficiently, Spagnola will collaborate with the SEMA OEM and vehicle technology departments while serving as a resource and liaison for members and automakers.“We’re excited to have Mike join SEMA in developing services that help members with product development and OEM initiatives,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “SEMA’s vehicle technology and OEM programs, led by John Waraniak and Bill Wolf, have proven to be extremely beneficial over the years. Mike will work with our existing team to enhance and add to the services SEMA makes available to our members.”

    SEMA News—May 2013

    INDUSTRY NEWS

  • The Sun Sets on the SPC and Rises Anew on the ETTN
    Posted on:
    Apr 30 2013
    By Regis Finn of The Myteebrite Group Inc.

    Emerging Trends & Technology Network, SEMA CouncilWelcome to the Emerging Trends and Technology Network (ETTN), SEMA's newest network, which is an evolution of the Street Performance Council (SPC) and even earlier Sport Compact Council.

    In recent times, the SPC experienced success on the cutting edge of emerging trends and technology and often led the way for other SEMA councils and member companies. While this proved to be of great value to members, it was not easy to draw an intuitive connection with the council's name and mission. "Street performance" was just too broad, and the council was more narrowly focused on exploring cutting-edge technology. Therefore, it made sense to change the name from SPC to ETTN and reboot.

    The SEMA Board of Directors met with SPC leadership and SEMA staff, reviewed the proposal, and agreed with the ETTN direction. The ETTN would like to thank all of the members and supporters of SPC, SCC and SEMA's Board and staff for their unwavering support and encouragement.

  • Racing News: Mazda Scores First Race Win With SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel
    Posted on:
    Apr 25 2013
    In only its fourth race, the all-new Mazda6, powered by a production-based SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel engine, scored a win in the Rolex Grand-Am GX race at Road Atlanta. Joel Miller and Andrew Carbonell drove the #00 Visit Florida Racing Mazda6 to the win, with teammates Sylvain Tremblay and Tom Long finishing third in the similar #70 SpeedSource Mazda6 SKYACTIV-D. It was a three-way battle for most of the race with a Porsche Cayman splitting the two Mazdas.
  • 2012 SEMA Show Photos—Luxurious Lexuses
    Posted on:
    Apr 25 2013
    For one week each year, the SEMA Show gathers the largest collection of outfitted, upgraded dirt shredders, people haulers and street machines that exist with the specialty-equipment industry.
  • Movers & Shakers: Matt Heinzen Joins RealTruck.com; Performance Films Seeking Auto Enthusiasts in Southern California
    Posted on:
    Apr 25 2013
    Here is a brief look at some of news and updates from around the specialty-equipment industry. Companies featured this week: RealTruck.com, Lund International, Automotive Lift Institute, Fidanza Performance and more.
  • Federal Government Sets Voluntary Limits on Electronic Products That May Distract Drivers
    Posted on:
    Apr 25 2013
    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued guidelines intended to limit the risk of driver distraction from in-vehicle electronic devices that are not directly applicable to driving a car. These voluntary guidelines do not have the effect of law and would apply to original equipment installed in new light-duty vehicles. 
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