Sales of specialty-equipment parts and accessories reached $36.7 billion at the retail level in 2006, marking a 7% jump from 2005 sales. Regionally, enthusiasts in Pacific states purchased $6.68 billion in parts and accessories, slightly more than 18% of the total U.S. market share. South Atlantic state enthusiasts bought parts at nearly the same rate, accounting for 17.4% of market share. Enthusiasts in this part of the United States also purchased more performance parts than consumers in other regions. 
In order to uncover the top accessory and appearance, performance and suspension and handling purchases by specific product, SEMA conducts an annual Automotive Lifestyles Survey of automotive magazine subscribers and website visitors. Results from the 2007 survey, which garnered nearly 3,000 complete results, showed that the top performance parts purchased nationwide included performance air filter replacements (43%), exhaust kits (42%) and cold air intake conversions (34%).
On the accessory & appearance side: polish (40%), performance fluids (36%) and custom floor mats (25%) topped the list. Enthusiasts surveyed indicated that the top suspension & handling products purchased included performance tires (35%), custom wheels (33%) and custom springs/shocks/suspension/sway bars (31%).
SEMA publishes market studies and reports on yearly and quarterly intervals, each designed to provide SEMA members with information on current market trends. For more information, visit www.sema.org/research.