Home › Membership ›

SEMA News

  • SN-2011-03-Cover.jpg

Cover Section

  • Accessories Influence New-Car Sales
    A new study commissioned by SEMA indicates that aftermarket products influence about a million new-vehicle sales each year. The automotive marketing research and consultancy firm AutoPacific collected and analyzed consumer data to quantify the effect that accessorization has on the sale of new vehicles. The resulting report, “Influence of Accessories on New-Vehicle Sales,” details the findings.
  • Racing and Performance: The Past, Present and Future
    The racing and performance segment of the specialty-equipment industry—rich in history and tradition—is also predictive, often foreshadowing trends that ripple through other markets. Those SEMA News readers who have been around the block once or twice may recall the early days of the hot-rod scene and how it progressed from the street to the strip, spawning countless businesses and institutions.

SEMA News Articles for Purchase

Accessories Influence New-Car Sales

in

About this product:

Accessories Influence New-Car Sales - SEMA News, March 2011

A new study commissioned by SEMA indicates that aftermarket products influence about a million new-vehicle sales each year. The automotive marketing research and consultancy firm AutoPacific collected and analyzed consumer data to quantify the effect that accessorization has on the sale of new vehicles. The resulting report, “Influence of Accessories on New-Vehicle Sales,” details the findings.

The study looked at the persuasive effects created by accessory products, including which ones are likely to create the greatest influence. 

SEMA Members may get this content for free!

Regular Price:

$1.99

Caught Looking

in

About this product:

Caught Looking: Privacy Advocates Deal Web Marketing a Blow With “Do Not Track” - SEMA News, March 2011

Businesses that rely heavily on web marketing are in for a rude awakening in the coming year. That’s when privacy advocates will begin crippling the ability to easily track visitor activity on a company’s own website as well as across the Internet. In practice, the backlash against visitor tracking—commonly known as “Do Not Track”—is expected to make it tougher for a company to monitor which visitors are using its website and how they are using it.

This kind of data is critical to the web-analytics programs currently running on virtually all commercial websites of any consequence, which slice-and-dice visitor info to continually make websites more user friendly and more effective. The backlash will also make it more difficult for companies to advertise on other websites, as Do-Not-Track features on newer browsers make it impossible for advertisers to target ads based on an individual’s web use.

 

SEMA Members may get this content for free!

Regular Price:

$1.99

Racing and Performance: The Past, Present and Future

in

About this product:

Racing and Performance: The Past, Present and Future - SEMA News - March 2011

The racing and performance segment of the specialty-equipment industry—rich in history and tradition—is also predictive, often foreshadowing trends that ripple through other markets. Those SEMA News readers who have been around the block once or twice may recall the early days of the hot-rod scene and how it progressed from the street to the strip, spawning countless businesses and institutions. 

Those SEMA News readers who have been around the block once or twice may recall the early days of the hot-rod scene and how it progressed from the street to the strip, spawning countless businesses and institutions. 

SEMA Members may get this content for free!

Regular Price:

$1.99

When Disaster Strikes

in

About this product:

When Disaster Strikes - SEMA News, March 2011

While most business people enjoy planning for success, preparing for disaster is equally crucial. Whether bracing to endure earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes or man-made events, such as terrorism or other crimes, including physical and cyber attacks, every company should take steps to survive, recover and resume operations in the event of catastrophe. Basic preventative measures apply to any type of disaster or business interruption, but specific measures tailored to geographic or regional conditions should also be considered. It goes without saying that the better you prepare and organize, the less down time your company will have to endure, reducing the time it takes to spring back into profitable operation.

SEMA Members may get this content for free!

Regular Price:

$1.99

Business

  • When Disaster Strikes
    While most business people enjoy planning for success, preparing for disaster is equally crucial. Whether bracing to endure earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes or man-made events, such as terrorism or other crimes, including physical and cyber attacks, every company should take steps to survive, recover and resume operations in the event of catastrophe. Basic preventative measures apply to any type of disaster or business interruption, but specific measures tailored to geographic or regional conditions should also be considered.
  • Accessories Influence New-Car Sales
    A new study commissioned by SEMA indicates that aftermarket products influence about a million new-vehicle sales each year. The automotive marketing research and consultancy firm AutoPacific collected and analyzed consumer data to quantify the effect that accessorization has on the sale of new vehicles. The resulting report, “Influence of Accessories on New-Vehicle Sales,” details the findings.

Chris Kersting

  • Study: Specialty-Equipment Influences Auto Sales
    More and more, OEMs see that the availability of accessories improves their dealers’ ability to sell vehicles. And they acknowledge that aftermarket manufacturers, who are in touch with enthusiastic car owners, are often the first to recognize important trends. Smart dealers are increasingly recognizing that a customized vehicle in the showroom can bring more customers through the door and get them more excited about a purchase. But until now, there was not much real data on the “accessory effect.”

Events

  • Tire Industry Debut
    This year’s SEMA Show included a specially designed, purpose-built headquarters for the tire industry. A show within a show, the Global Tire Expo—Powered by Tire Industry Association (TIA) was created to focus attention on tire-industry innovations and opportunities. Judging by the positive reactions of all involved, the Expo concept turned out to be a great idea.

Government Affairs

  • Law and Order
    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.
  • Lights, Camera, Action!
    SEMA-member RTM Productions welcomed Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) for a behind-the-scenes tour and legislative briefing at its headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee. Established in 1989, RTM produces automotive, outdoor and entertainment programming for television, including the acclaimed PowerBlockTV series.

Industry News

  • SEMA Sets July 8 as Collector Car Appreciation Day
    SEMA and its Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) councils announced July 8, 2011, as Collector Car Appreciation Day. The date marks the second commemoration in what will become an annual event to raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society. SEMA and its councils are now working to secure a congressional resolution to recognize the day’s significance.
  • SEMA Spy Photos
    Audi A4 Allroad, Chrysler 200 Soft-Top, 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2012 Hyundai Genesis

International

  • Fast-Tracking Export Sales
    An often-overlooked resource for SEMA members seeking new overseas markets for their products are export management companies (EMCs). A growing number of SEMA members are already selling their products directly overseas, many with great success. But an even larger number are not fully tapping their export potential.

Internet

  • Caught Looking
    Businesses that rely heavily on web marketing are in for a rude awakening in the coming year. That’s when privacy advocates will begin crippling the ability to easily track visitor activity on a company’s own website as well as across the Internet. In practice, the backlash against visitor tracking—commonly known as “Do Not Track”—is expected to make it tougher for a company to monitor which visitors are using its website and how they are using it.

Member News

  • A Few Words With the Chair-Elect
       
       
    Chris Fairless has been involved in the automotive specialty-equipment industry for 32 years, combining 10 years in retail and wholesale for Van Iderstine Speed Centers with five years in manufacturing for Russell Performance and 17 years as a manufacturer’s representative. He recently became a principal with SS Sales & Marketing.
  • LTAA New Products Showcase a Big Hit
       
       
    The inaugural Light Truck Accessory Alliance (LTAA) New Products Showcase event, held at the All Truck Nationals in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on August 6–8, 2010, proved to be a hit with both the LTAA participants and event attendees. This brand-new LTAA member benefit gave participating companies the opportunity to display products in front of one of the largest gatherings of truck enthusiasts in the country.
  • Did You Know: SEMA Hot Rod Bill
     
       
    There may be nothing more American than a hot rod! As the rest of the world continues to adopt elements of our unique cultural identity, there are few things left that are truly American. Classic hot rods and musclecars are 100% American made. Unfortunately, these vehicles have long struggled to find their place in the law. Too often, a lack of knowledge and experience on the part of legislators has led to bad laws that negatively impact our industry and the hobby. However, the staff and membership of SEMA and the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) can have a direct impact on safeguarding the tradition of hot rodding in America.
  • Are You Registered for the New Products Showcase?
     
       
    Spring is in the air, which means time is running out for Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) member companies to register products for the ARMO New Products Showcase. This annual event is held each year at Spring Carlisle in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The New Products Showcase affords ARMO-member companies the opportunity to display their product(s) in front of one of the single largest gatherings of automotive restoration enthusiasts in the world. The 2010 Spring Carlisle event featured 2,000 collector and special-interest vehicles for sale and 8,100 vendor spaces.
  • New MPMC Hall of Fame Members
       
       
    The Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) inducted four inaugural members to its Hall of Fame during a casual breakfast gathering at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show in Orlando, Florida, on Friday, December 10, 2010. The four inductees were recognized as not only founding members of the MPMC, but also as active members of SEMA, the council and the industry. The affair began at 8:00 a.m., but upward of 100 people had no problem with the early call to share the special moment with the inductees.
  • Town Hall Meetings: See You There
      Home 
    SEMA is on the move, and if you’re in the industry, you’ll want to know about it. The association’s presence this year at town hall meetings across the country is part of an important new strategic direction. Through the first six months of 2011, members of the SEMA staff will be visiting Scottsdale, Arizona, Fort Worth, Texas, and Charlotte, North Carolina, to join with local SEMA-member companies in hosting a series of relaxed, casual, grassroots gatherings of members. These town hall meetings will serve a number of purposes, including:
  • SEMA Education Institute
       
       
    Today’s business environment is changing quickly. Training and information are essential to a company’s success. Realizing this several years ago, the SEMA Board of Directors created the SEMA Education Institute (SEI) as a strategic commitment to meet the industry’s need for personal training and professional development.
  • SEMA Scholarship Application Now Available
      Scholarships Committee 
       
    Students preparing for careers in the automotive industry may be eligible to receive financial awards ranging from $1,000–$4,000 through the 2011 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. The scholarship application, which is due April 1, 2011, and requires college transcripts and letters of recommendation, is now available at www.sema.org/scholarships.
  • We’ve Come a Long Way Baby!
       
       
    When this industry began more than 75 years ago, the men were racing ’32 roadsters across the dry lakes of Southern California while the women were racing around the house, making sure they had a clean place to live and food on the table. Today, women are as much a part of this industry as the men, with roles that include driving race cars, managing businesses, building project vehicles and more.
  • J2530 and the Industry
       
       
    A few years ago, SEMA and its Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) worked with the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to develop an industry testing practice for aftermarket wheels. SAE J2530 (Aftermarket Wheels Performance Requirements and Testing Procedures) outlines performance and sampling guidelines, testing procedures and marking requirements for aftermarket wheels used on cars, light trucks and multipurpose vehicles.
  • A Few Tips on Social Media Customer Service
     
       
    Because “social media” are such buzzwords these days, a lot of people think that these new channels somehow exist in a different dimension of the space-time continuum and that different rules and laws of physics apply. Yes, social media channels are immediate. Yes, social media channels are broadcast platforms for the hitherto voiceless. And, yes, everybody is doing it. But when it comes to customer service and building and protecting your business reputation, the same principles apply in social media as in all other channels of communication between you and your customers.
  • Message From the Chair
       
       
    Serving on the Select Committee or as chairman of a council is a huge honor. It signifies that you’ve earned the confidence and respect of your peers. It also gives you an opportunity to be closely involved in the issues affecting your industry and to have a part in shaping how those issues are addressed. I’ve been privileged to serve as a member of the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) Select Committee since 2000. I’ve also joined the ranks of the few who have become the chairman of PRO. As I’ve worked for the council for the last few months of my term as chairman, I wanted to share some thoughts on volunteer leadership.

New Products

  • Accessories Influence New-Car Sales
    A new study commissioned by SEMA indicates that aftermarket products influence about a million new-vehicle sales each year. The automotive marketing research and consultancy firm AutoPacific collected and analyzed consumer data to quantify the effect that accessorization has on the sale of new vehicles. The resulting report, “Influence of Accessories on New-Vehicle Sales,” details the findings.
  • Racing and Performance: The Past, Present and Future
    The racing and performance segment of the specialty-equipment industry—rich in history and tradition—is also predictive, often foreshadowing trends that ripple through other markets. Those SEMA News readers who have been around the block once or twice may recall the early days of the hot-rod scene and how it progressed from the street to the strip, spawning countless businesses and institutions.

Required Reading

  • News for the Tire Industry
    The 2010 SEMA Show featured the brand-new Global Tire Expo—Powered by TIA (Tire Industry Association). This new show within a show brought all segments of the tire industry together in a single location and made it easier than ever for tire professionals to navigate the SEMA Show.

SEMA Heritage

  • The California Kid
    It isn’t often you can capture this many iconic figures in one candid photograph, but that’s exactly what Petersen Publishing photographer Pat Brollier managed to do on a June day in 1974.At left is actor Martin Sheen, next to him is Pete Chapouris, and behind them is Chapouris’ trend-setting ’34 Ford three-window coupe.

Search SEMA News