The OPTIMA Batteries Street Car Invitational shines the spotlight on today's hottest import and domestic vehicle as they are put to the test through a series of performance and design events in order to find the 2010 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car.

For the third year in a row, the hottest cars in the world had the chance to shed some rubber and flex some muscle to crown the best of the best at the 2010 OPTIMA Batteries Street Car Invitational. Now, these modified machines will enter living rooms across the country through SPEED Channel's Ultimate Street Car Invitationals TV special, Friday, March 11.

Taking place following the close of the 2010 SEMA Show, the one-hour TV program shines the spotlight on today's hottest import and domestic vehicle as they are put to the test through a series of performance and design events in order to find the 2010 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car.

Selected by a panel of experts, the vehicles highlighted during the special include several head-turners from the 2010 SEMA Show, such as the Raybestos ’32 Roadster Pickup; the Ring Brothers’ ’66 Mustang; Tom Ciancitto’s ’37 Ford Pickup; Kevin Kraack’s ’09 Mercedes C63 AMG; Brian Finch’s ’72 Camaro; and Mark Stielow’s ’69 Camaro, which was selected as the Sony Gran Turismo Awards "Best in Show" vehicle winner.

The 2010 OPTIMA Batteries Street Car Invitational is scheduled to air at the following times (all times Eastern):

• Friday, March 11, 8:00 p.m.
• Friday, March 11, 11:00 p.m.
• Saturday, March 12, 11:00 a.m.
• Saturday, October 29, 8:00 p.m.
• Sunday, December 4, 8:00 p.m.

This year’s show also includes race footage shot from dozens of in-car, on-track and aerial high-definition cameras along with exclusive interviews with some of the biggest names in the performance automotive industry. The show is hosted by automotive enthusiast Bill Goldberg and automotive racing reporter Jamie Howe.

For more information, visit www.optimainvitational.com.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has backed down from the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA)-opposed ''Cash for Clunkers" program, which would have provided Australians with a $2,000 payment (USD $1,993) for trading in pre-’95 cars for new vehicles. The $430 million (USD $428 million) program was originally a campaign pledge by Australia’s Executive to take 200,000 older vehicles off Australian streets. She blamed the lack of funds on the recent severe flooding in that country.

For more information on international legislative/regulatory developments, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has backed down from the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA)-opposed ''Cash for Clunkers" program, which would have provided Australians with a $2,000 payment (USD $1,993) for trading in pre-’95 cars for new vehicles. The $430 million (USD $428 million) program was originally a campaign pledge by Australia’s Executive to take 200,000 older vehicles off Australian streets. She blamed the lack of funds on the recent severe flooding in that country.

For more information on international legislative/regulatory developments, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

When Petersen Publishing Company photographer Eric Rickman took this photo in October 1958, Paul Schiefer's involvement in developing a safe, "slipper" clutch for drag racers was still a decade away. So was the honor of being the very first inductee into SEMA's Hall of Fame, a milestone that took place in 1969. Instead, what drew Rickman down to Schiefer Manufacturing in the San Diego area on that fall day was an assignment to photograph an assortment of Schiefer's products as part of a lengthy review of competition clutches and flywheels that Bob Pendergast was putting together for Hot Rod magazine's April 1959 issue. [Read more]

When Petersen Publishing Company photographer Eric Rickman took this photo in October 1958, Paul Schiefer's involvement in developing a safe, "slipper" clutch for drag racers was still a decade away. So was the honor of being the very first inductee into SEMA's Hall of Fame, a milestone that took place in 1969. Instead, what drew Rickman down to Schiefer Manufacturing in the San Diego area on that fall day was an assignment to photograph an assortment of Schiefer's products as part of a lengthy review of competition clutches and flywheels that Bob Pendergast was putting together for Hot Rod magazine's April 1959 issue. [Read more]

The SEMA Show is a week full of business connections, emerging trends, educational seminars, industry icons and, of course, custom vehicles. Check out enjoythedrive.com and click on the "view all vehicles" button on the home page to see all of the rides that were on display at the 2010 SEMA Show. Access the site to view the vehicles and download your favorites. One of the best features of the site is that it's searchable by several keywords, including vehicle make, vehicle model and exhibiting company's name.

This week's gallery features a collection of Mazda cars on display during the 2010 SEMA Show.

The SEMA Show is a week full of business connections, emerging trends, educational seminars, industry icons and, of course, custom vehicles. Check out enjoythedrive.com and click on the "view all vehicles" button on the home page to see all of the rides that were on display at the 2010 SEMA Show. Access the site to view the vehicles and download your favorites. One of the best features of the site is that it's searchable by several keywords, including vehicle make, vehicle model and exhibiting company's name.

This week's gallery features a collection of Mazda cars on display during the 2010 SEMA Show.

	Engage yourself with your customers. Listen to what they have to say and provide feedback to address their concerns.

More business is lost due to poor service and treatment than to poor product, according to Nancy Friedman of The Telephone Doctor, who presented the recent SEMA webinar entitled “21 Great Unexpected Customer Service Tips.” They include:

• Say something nice to someone at least once a day.
• When in doubt, leave it out. The six touch points of communication include: e-mail, voicemail, snail mail, phone, fax and face-to-face. If you’re in doubt about whether or not to say something to a customer, leave it out to avoid saying something that could be perceived as negative.
• Don’t ever argue with a customer. You will lose every time. Contrary to popular belief, the customer is not always right; they just think they are.
• Be personable and add a signed and dated note to anything you mail out to a customer.
• Use “we” statements.
• Be the first to say hello and put yourself in your customer’s shoes. Build rapport; don’t ever answer a question right away.
• Keep the fences low. Examine the rules you have and make them flexible for your customers.
• Be a double checker.
• We cannot do two things well at once. Choose to do one thing and do it right. Focus on the customer.
• Watch your attitude. Having a great attitude is more important than being in a good mood.
• Respond rapidly to e-mails and phone calls.
• Give a firm handshake to everyone who comes into your store.
• Send thank you notes.
• Use your name and a greeting when answering the phone.
• Listen to your customers and keep an open mind. Don’t interrupt them. Provide feedback.
• It shouldn’t take two people to give good customer service.
• Show empathy and sympathy and know the difference.
• I apologize vs. I’m sorry. Know the difference.
• Be prepared.
• Smile. A phony smile is better than a real frown.

SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Follow this link for more information on this webinar.

For more information on the SEMA Webinar Program and to view a list of all upcoming SEMA webinars, click here.

	Engage yourself with your customers. Listen to what they have to say and provide feedback to address their concerns.

More business is lost due to poor service and treatment than to poor product, according to Nancy Friedman of The Telephone Doctor, who presented the recent SEMA webinar entitled “21 Great Unexpected Customer Service Tips.” They include:

• Say something nice to someone at least once a day.
• When in doubt, leave it out. The six touch points of communication include: e-mail, voicemail, snail mail, phone, fax and face-to-face. If you’re in doubt about whether or not to say something to a customer, leave it out to avoid saying something that could be perceived as negative.
• Don’t ever argue with a customer. You will lose every time. Contrary to popular belief, the customer is not always right; they just think they are.
• Be personable and add a signed and dated note to anything you mail out to a customer.
• Use “we” statements.
• Be the first to say hello and put yourself in your customer’s shoes. Build rapport; don’t ever answer a question right away.
• Keep the fences low. Examine the rules you have and make them flexible for your customers.
• Be a double checker.
• We cannot do two things well at once. Choose to do one thing and do it right. Focus on the customer.
• Watch your attitude. Having a great attitude is more important than being in a good mood.
• Respond rapidly to e-mails and phone calls.
• Give a firm handshake to everyone who comes into your store.
• Send thank you notes.
• Use your name and a greeting when answering the phone.
• Listen to your customers and keep an open mind. Don’t interrupt them. Provide feedback.
• It shouldn’t take two people to give good customer service.
• Show empathy and sympathy and know the difference.
• I apologize vs. I’m sorry. Know the difference.
• Be prepared.
• Smile. A phony smile is better than a real frown.

SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Follow this link for more information on this webinar.

For more information on the SEMA Webinar Program and to view a list of all upcoming SEMA webinars, click here.

Modest updates are in store for the F-150 SVT, and the shooters at Brenda Priddy and Co. have grabbed some recent shots of a Raptor test vehicle flaunting its new LED daytime running lights. The move to front LED daytime running lamps mirrors Ford’s lighting design used in its cars, such as the Ford Taurus sedan and Ford Fiesta compact, which feature the durable, bright lights that use less power than conventional incandescent bulbs.

The white light strips on this test truck supplement the existing LEDs, with unique placement between the front bumper and fenders. Priddy says that the Raptor is Ford’s only half-ton pickup that uses LED marker lamps because its extra track width. It has to adhere to federal regulations mandating illuminated markers. There are three, bright-orange LEDs right in the Raptor’s grille, three in the center high-mounted stoplight and two each at the corners of the front and rear bumpers.

It’s possible the new LEDs could appear on 2011.5 “Job 2” Raptors, but they are most likely slated for the ’12 model year.

According to Priddy, a possible future improvement to the Raptor may include an electronic locking front differential for increased capability in low-speed off-road maneuvers. A front e-locker is available for the limited-edition Ford Racing Raptor XT pre-runner. The 411hp 6.2L V8 is expected to remain the sole engine choice.

Photo Credit: Chris Doane/Brenda Priddy & Company