News | Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)

Thu, 09/10/2015 - 07:58

By Becca Butler

	SEMA Ignited provides the public with a unique opportunity to come face-to-face with some the best cars, trucks and SUVs from the SEMA Show.

With hundreds of the world’s most esteemed vehicles on display for consumers to see, SEMA Ignited will provide the public with a rare opportunity to get up close and take photos with the cars, trucks and SUVs from the 2015 SEMA Show. The vehicles will be displayed within four distinct villages, making it easy for visitors to see the vehicles that may be of greatest interest to them. Village themes will focus on Hot Rod, Off-Road, Sport Compact and a General area, and each area will have its own food and entertainment.

Admission to SEMA Ignited, taking place Friday, November 6, from 3:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m., in the Gold Lot across the street from the Las Vegas Convention Center, is open to the general public. Consumers can purchase tickets, while those with SEMA Show credentials are able to attend free of charge with their Show badge. Visit www.semaignited.com for details.

SEMA Ignited to Feature Themed Villages

Thu, 09/10/2015 - 07:58

By Becca Butler

	SEMA Ignited provides the public with a unique opportunity to come face-to-face with some the best cars, trucks and SUVs from the SEMA Show.

With hundreds of the world’s most esteemed vehicles on display for consumers to see, SEMA Ignited will provide the public with a rare opportunity to get up close and take photos with the cars, trucks and SUVs from the 2015 SEMA Show. The vehicles will be displayed within four distinct villages, making it easy for visitors to see the vehicles that may be of greatest interest to them. Village themes will focus on Hot Rod, Off-Road, Sport Compact and a General area, and each area will have its own food and entertainment.

Admission to SEMA Ignited, taking place Friday, November 6, from 3:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m., in the Gold Lot across the street from the Las Vegas Convention Center, is open to the general public. Consumers can purchase tickets, while those with SEMA Show credentials are able to attend free of charge with their Show badge. Visit www.semaignited.com for details.

SEMA Ignited to Feature Themed Villages

Thu, 09/10/2015 - 07:58

By Becca Butler

	SEMA Ignited provides the public with a unique opportunity to come face-to-face with some the best cars, trucks and SUVs from the SEMA Show.

With hundreds of the world’s most esteemed vehicles on display for consumers to see, SEMA Ignited will provide the public with a rare opportunity to get up close and take photos with the cars, trucks and SUVs from the 2015 SEMA Show. The vehicles will be displayed within four distinct villages, making it easy for visitors to see the vehicles that may be of greatest interest to them. Village themes will focus on Hot Rod, Off-Road, Sport Compact and a General area, and each area will have its own food and entertainment.

Admission to SEMA Ignited, taking place Friday, November 6, from 3:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m., in the Gold Lot across the street from the Las Vegas Convention Center, is open to the general public. Consumers can purchase tickets, while those with SEMA Show credentials are able to attend free of charge with their Show badge. Visit www.semaignited.com for details.

Compact Performance Market—Steady, Incremental Growth Year-Over-Year

Thu, 09/03/2015 - 07:12

By Jason Catullo

During the past several years, gas prices have frequently hit record levels, and automakers have developed more alternative, fuel-saving technologies and have produced more fuel-friendly vehicles to meet the demand of consumers and the market. These factors have helped the compact-performance segment to sustain slow and steady growth year to year. The market reached more than $5.18 billion in retails sales in 2014 and continues to offer expanding opportunity for specialty-equipment companies.

The compact-performance niche encompasses modifications made to compact-size cars for street use. While current retail sales levels are far from the numbers posted in the early 2000s, the fact that the market has remained steady and not shown any sharp decline for the past 10 years is a positive for compact-performance businesses and enthusiasts.

compact perfromance sales

The compact niche is mainly driven by sales of appearance and accessory products, which represent the No. 1 product segment in terms of manufacturer sales. Since the scene’s emergence in the mid-’90s, compact-performance enthusiasts covet vibrant appearance and styling products. However, enthusiasts in this segment want to add power to their vehicles as well, and performance products is the second-leading product segment (manufacturer sales). The third most popular product segment in the compact performance market is the wheels, tires and suspension products category.

Some of the top-selling vehicles within the segment are the Toyota Corolla/Matrix, Honda Civic, Chevrolet Cruze, Hyundai Elantra and Ford Focus.

This information and more is available through the recently released 2015 SEMA Market Report. The report is available to download at no cost to SEMA members. In addition to the compact-performance market, the report provides detailed insight on the street-performance, light-truck, off-road, restyling, restoration, street rod and custom, racing niches.

Most of SEMA's research reports are available to SEMA members at no cost, and to nonmembers at a nominal fee. They can be accessed at www.SEMA.org/research.

Compact Performance Market—Steady, Incremental Growth Year-Over-Year

Thu, 09/03/2015 - 07:12

By Jason Catullo

During the past several years, gas prices have frequently hit record levels, and automakers have developed more alternative, fuel-saving technologies and have produced more fuel-friendly vehicles to meet the demand of consumers and the market. These factors have helped the compact-performance segment to sustain slow and steady growth year to year. The market reached more than $5.18 billion in retails sales in 2014 and continues to offer expanding opportunity for specialty-equipment companies.

The compact-performance niche encompasses modifications made to compact-size cars for street use. While current retail sales levels are far from the numbers posted in the early 2000s, the fact that the market has remained steady and not shown any sharp decline for the past 10 years is a positive for compact-performance businesses and enthusiasts.

compact perfromance sales

The compact niche is mainly driven by sales of appearance and accessory products, which represent the No. 1 product segment in terms of manufacturer sales. Since the scene’s emergence in the mid-’90s, compact-performance enthusiasts covet vibrant appearance and styling products. However, enthusiasts in this segment want to add power to their vehicles as well, and performance products is the second-leading product segment (manufacturer sales). The third most popular product segment in the compact performance market is the wheels, tires and suspension products category.

Some of the top-selling vehicles within the segment are the Toyota Corolla/Matrix, Honda Civic, Chevrolet Cruze, Hyundai Elantra and Ford Focus.

This information and more is available through the recently released 2015 SEMA Market Report. The report is available to download at no cost to SEMA members. In addition to the compact-performance market, the report provides detailed insight on the street-performance, light-truck, off-road, restyling, restoration, street rod and custom, racing niches.

Most of SEMA's research reports are available to SEMA members at no cost, and to nonmembers at a nominal fee. They can be accessed at www.SEMA.org/research.

Compact Performance Market—Steady, Incremental Growth Year-Over-Year

Thu, 09/03/2015 - 07:12

By Jason Catullo

During the past several years, gas prices have frequently hit record levels, and automakers have developed more alternative, fuel-saving technologies and have produced more fuel-friendly vehicles to meet the demand of consumers and the market. These factors have helped the compact-performance segment to sustain slow and steady growth year to year. The market reached more than $5.18 billion in retails sales in 2014 and continues to offer expanding opportunity for specialty-equipment companies.

The compact-performance niche encompasses modifications made to compact-size cars for street use. While current retail sales levels are far from the numbers posted in the early 2000s, the fact that the market has remained steady and not shown any sharp decline for the past 10 years is a positive for compact-performance businesses and enthusiasts.

compact perfromance sales

The compact niche is mainly driven by sales of appearance and accessory products, which represent the No. 1 product segment in terms of manufacturer sales. Since the scene’s emergence in the mid-’90s, compact-performance enthusiasts covet vibrant appearance and styling products. However, enthusiasts in this segment want to add power to their vehicles as well, and performance products is the second-leading product segment (manufacturer sales). The third most popular product segment in the compact performance market is the wheels, tires and suspension products category.

Some of the top-selling vehicles within the segment are the Toyota Corolla/Matrix, Honda Civic, Chevrolet Cruze, Hyundai Elantra and Ford Focus.

This information and more is available through the recently released 2015 SEMA Market Report. The report is available to download at no cost to SEMA members. In addition to the compact-performance market, the report provides detailed insight on the street-performance, light-truck, off-road, restyling, restoration, street rod and custom, racing niches.

Most of SEMA's research reports are available to SEMA members at no cost, and to nonmembers at a nominal fee. They can be accessed at www.SEMA.org/research.

Racing News: Bell/Fiscus Dominates Street Car Super Nationals Race

Thu, 09/03/2015 - 07:08

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	Kevin Fiscus beat teammate Jim Bell in the Precision Turbo Pro Mod class at the Pacific Street Car Association Street Car Super Nationals race at Gateway Motorsports Park in St. Louis, August 27–29, 2015.

BFR Dominates SCSN St. Louis Race With Pro Mod Win and Runner Up

Bell/Fiscus Racing (BFR) dominated the Precision Turbo Pro Mod class with both a win and runner-up finish at the Pacific Street Car Association (PSCA) Street Car Super Nationals (SCSN) “Anarchy at the Arch” race at Gateway Motorsports Park in St. Louis, August 27–29, 2015.

The Bell/Fiscus Racing teammates were paired in the finals for an all-BFR finale where Fiscus won with a 5.945 at 232.75 mph pass over Bell’s 5.996 at 233.08 mph. Both Bell and Fiscus will compete in the Pro Mod class at the NHRA Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals race at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, September 4–7, 2015, as the Bell/Fiscus Racing team continues their 23-race commitment for the 2015 season.

Fredric Aasbo and the Rockstar Energy Drink/Hankook Tire Scion tC will compete this weekend at the Formula Drift World Championship event.

Fredric Aasbo to Compete in Canada on Labor Day Weekend

Fredric Aasbo and the Rockstar Energy Drink/Hankook Tire Scion tC will compete for the first time in Canada this weekend at the Formula Drift World Championship event at Autodrome Saint-Eustache near Montreal. Aasbo, who is currently leading the points in the U.S. Formula Drift Championship and the Formula Drift World Championship, made a last-minute decision to enter the event. The Formula Drift Canada event is the eighth of 10 rounds in the Formula Drift World Championship. Held September 6–7, the event is expected to draw some 10,000 fans.

Auto Club Dragway Kicks Into High Gear With NMCA West

After a three-month hiatus, the NMCA WEST VP Racing Fuels Drag Racing Series will start the second half of the season with the running of the fourth annual Energy Suspension Street Car Nationals the weekend of September 18–20 at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, California.

The event will feature the ultra-quick rides in the Garrett Turbochargers Pro Modified class, the on-the-edge cars of ProCharger Street Outlaw and the racing craziness of ARP Outlaw 8.5. Vortech Superchargers True Street gives racers of street-driven cars a chance to test their mettle against others on the track after they head out for a 30-mile cruise. The Hotchkis Autocross presented by Nitto Tire will be contested adjacent to the drag strip on Saturday and Sunday.

Racing News: Bell/Fiscus Dominates Street Car Super Nationals Race

Thu, 09/03/2015 - 07:08

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	Kevin Fiscus beat teammate Jim Bell in the Precision Turbo Pro Mod class at the Pacific Street Car Association Street Car Super Nationals race at Gateway Motorsports Park in St. Louis, August 27–29, 2015.

BFR Dominates SCSN St. Louis Race With Pro Mod Win and Runner Up

Bell/Fiscus Racing (BFR) dominated the Precision Turbo Pro Mod class with both a win and runner-up finish at the Pacific Street Car Association (PSCA) Street Car Super Nationals (SCSN) “Anarchy at the Arch” race at Gateway Motorsports Park in St. Louis, August 27–29, 2015.

The Bell/Fiscus Racing teammates were paired in the finals for an all-BFR finale where Fiscus won with a 5.945 at 232.75 mph pass over Bell’s 5.996 at 233.08 mph. Both Bell and Fiscus will compete in the Pro Mod class at the NHRA Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals race at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, September 4–7, 2015, as the Bell/Fiscus Racing team continues their 23-race commitment for the 2015 season.

Fredric Aasbo and the Rockstar Energy Drink/Hankook Tire Scion tC will compete this weekend at the Formula Drift World Championship event.

Fredric Aasbo to Compete in Canada on Labor Day Weekend

Fredric Aasbo and the Rockstar Energy Drink/Hankook Tire Scion tC will compete for the first time in Canada this weekend at the Formula Drift World Championship event at Autodrome Saint-Eustache near Montreal. Aasbo, who is currently leading the points in the U.S. Formula Drift Championship and the Formula Drift World Championship, made a last-minute decision to enter the event. The Formula Drift Canada event is the eighth of 10 rounds in the Formula Drift World Championship. Held September 6–7, the event is expected to draw some 10,000 fans.

Auto Club Dragway Kicks Into High Gear With NMCA West

After a three-month hiatus, the NMCA WEST VP Racing Fuels Drag Racing Series will start the second half of the season with the running of the fourth annual Energy Suspension Street Car Nationals the weekend of September 18–20 at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, California.

The event will feature the ultra-quick rides in the Garrett Turbochargers Pro Modified class, the on-the-edge cars of ProCharger Street Outlaw and the racing craziness of ARP Outlaw 8.5. Vortech Superchargers True Street gives racers of street-driven cars a chance to test their mettle against others on the track after they head out for a 30-mile cruise. The Hotchkis Autocross presented by Nitto Tire will be contested adjacent to the drag strip on Saturday and Sunday.

Creative Solutions to Combat Counterfeiting

Thu, 09/03/2015 - 07:03

For SEMA-member companies putting out great products these days, the challenge of illegal unauthorized copies is almost unavoidable. While some companies turn to the courts, federal agencies and law enforcement to confront counterfeiters, these avenues are frequently too expensive, ineffective or both. With the pervasive culture of counterfeiting in today’s global marketplace, SEMA members may be best served by also pursuing creative solutions that focus on branding, consumer awareness and unique packaging.

One of the most effective means of communicating to customers that a product was actually produced by a well-known source is by using the company name or logo on everything that goes out the door. Once this branding becomes common practice, consumers begin to recognize that products without the company’s name or logo are not genuine.

Creative Solutions to Combat Counterfeiting

Thu, 09/03/2015 - 07:03

For SEMA-member companies putting out great products these days, the challenge of illegal unauthorized copies is almost unavoidable. While some companies turn to the courts, federal agencies and law enforcement to confront counterfeiters, these avenues are frequently too expensive, ineffective or both. With the pervasive culture of counterfeiting in today’s global marketplace, SEMA members may be best served by also pursuing creative solutions that focus on branding, consumer awareness and unique packaging.

One of the most effective means of communicating to customers that a product was actually produced by a well-known source is by using the company name or logo on everything that goes out the door. Once this branding becomes common practice, consumers begin to recognize that products without the company’s name or logo are not genuine.