Wed, 01/12/2011 - 14:30
The photo gallery on enjoythedrive.com currently features more than 2,000 photos of display vehicles from the 2010 SEMA Show. Here are all of the Scions that were customized and displayed on the Show grounds.

One of the best features of the photo database is that it is searchable by several keywords, including vehicle make, vehicle model and exhibitor's name.

See all of the photos at www.enjoythedrive.com.
Wed, 01/12/2011 - 13:55

Johannes Michalski Named Perfect Equipment Inc. CEO
Perfect Equipment Inc. appointed Johannes Michalski as its CEO, succeeding company president Mike Astorino, who will remain involved as a business consultant. Michalski joins Perfect Equipment from a leading provider of mechanical and electronic key systems, lock sets, steering locks and remote control systems for the automotive industry. Michalski served as chief operating officer for the North American division.

Foose Axes Axels
Chip Foose was named a guest speaker for the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum and WyoTech's first Axes & Axles educational workshop.

Chip Foose to Speak at NHRA Museum Axes & Axles Workshop
Automotive designer Chip Foose is a guest speaker for the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum and WyoTech's first educational workshop on cars and guitars in conjunction with the Museum's newest exhibit: Axes & Axles: The Art of Building Cars and Guitars, Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Fender Telecaster. Foose will give insight into the connections between cars and guitars as well as some of his memorable builds.

Claudio Ballard Named Inventor of the Year

The United States Business and Industry Council (USBIC) named Claudio Ballard, founder of Data Treasury Corp. and ICONIC Motors, its Inventor of the Year. Ballard was recognized for the Virtual Electrical Electronic Device Interface Management System (VEEDIMS) technology, which provides a unique approach to system automation by merging ethernet speed and data management.

Coker Elected Chairman of Collectors Foundation
Corky Coker of Coker Tire was elected chairman of the board of directors of the Collectors Foundation for 2011. Jim Cozzie, SEMA’s past chairman, was elected to the foundation’s board of directors. Visit the Collectors Foundation’s website, www.collectorsfoundation.org, to learn more about this important organization. Collectors Foundation is a member of SEMA and the association's Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA).

Electric Motorcycle
The Scotts Valley (California) Police Department is currently field testing a Zero DS electric motorcycle to assist in local patrols and traffic enforcement.

All-Electric Motorcycle on Patrol in California
The Scotts Valley (California) Police Department became the first law enforcement agency in California to receive a Zero DS electric motorcycle to assist in local patrols and traffic enforcement. With an all-electric drivetrain, the acquisition of the Zero DS serves as a benchmark for evaluating the motorcycle in law enforcement situations, such as responding through traffic and on local bike trails.

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 10:24
  scholarship
  The 2011 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund provides financial awards ranging from $1,000–$4,000 to students preparing for careers in the automotive industry.

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 (SMSF). 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.

“Paying for a high-quality education is a challenge for many, particularly in today’s tough economy,” said Jamie Eriksen, SEMA education director. “SEMA is pleased to play a part in helping students prepare for careers in an innovative and exciting industry.”

Unlike financial aid and student loans, the SEMA Memorial Scholarship is a one-time award that does not have to be paid back. Awards are granted to eligible applicants based on academic achievements, work experience, community involvement, essay content and recommendations. Students may re-apply each year, provided that they still meet the eligibility criteria. A loan forgiveness award is also available to recent graduates who are working for SEMA-member companies and paying off existing student loans. Details and applications for both the scholarship and the loan-forgiveness awards are available at www.sema.org/scholarships.

Winners will be notified in the summer of 2011. Scholarship payments are sent directly to the student’s college, university, trade or vocational school to help offset the cost of tuition. Loan-forgiveness payments are sent directly to the financial institutions.

For complete details, visit www.sema.org/scholarships or contact Juliet Marshall at julietm@sema.org, 909/978-6655.

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 10:24
  scholarship
  The 2011 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund provides financial awards ranging from $1,000–$4,000 to students preparing for careers in the automotive industry.

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 (SMSF). 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.

“Paying for a high-quality education is a challenge for many, particularly in today’s tough economy,” said Jamie Eriksen, SEMA education director. “SEMA is pleased to play a part in helping students prepare for careers in an innovative and exciting industry.”

Unlike financial aid and student loans, the SEMA Memorial Scholarship is a one-time award that does not have to be paid back. Awards are granted to eligible applicants based on academic achievements, work experience, community involvement, essay content and recommendations. Students may re-apply each year, provided that they still meet the eligibility criteria. A loan forgiveness award is also available to recent graduates who are working for SEMA-member companies and paying off existing student loans. Details and applications for both the scholarship and the loan-forgiveness awards are available at www.sema.org/scholarships.

Winners will be notified in the summer of 2011. Scholarship payments are sent directly to the student’s college, university, trade or vocational school to help offset the cost of tuition. Loan-forgiveness payments are sent directly to the financial institutions.

For complete details, visit www.sema.org/scholarships or contact Juliet Marshall at julietm@sema.org, 909/978-6655.

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 09:01
Nancy Friedman
Customer service specialist Nancy Friedman will lead the webinar session, "21 Great Unexpected Customer Service Tips."

Great customer service must be the hallmark of any successful business—not only to retain customers, but also to attract new ones. How is your staff doing? Have they become complacent? Could they use a refresher course? Gather your staff and participate in "21 Great Unexpected Customer Service Tips." These are unique techniques that will bring the service level of your organization to new heights.

Each tip, technique and skill will be discussed as well as how to best use it. While some of these tips and techniques may be familiar, Nancy Friedman, who will lead this webinar, brings a new perspective to each of them.

Friedman’s passion for retail sales and counter training goes above and beyond. As a customer service specialist, Friedman has brought programs to Car-X, Tuffy, Carstar, Precision Tune, LA Tire Dealers, Midas, National Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association (NTDRA) and a host of other automotive companies and associations over the years.

Join her on Thursday, January 20, from 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. (PST) as she conducts this lively session on customer service.

To register for this session or for more information, follow this link.

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

All previously conducted webinars are also available for download, making it more convenient for members to access the sessions on their own schedules. To access the webinar archives page, click here.

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 09:01
Nancy Friedman
Customer service specialist Nancy Friedman will lead the webinar session, "21 Great Unexpected Customer Service Tips."

Great customer service must be the hallmark of any successful business—not only to retain customers, but also to attract new ones. How is your staff doing? Have they become complacent? Could they use a refresher course? Gather your staff and participate in "21 Great Unexpected Customer Service Tips." These are unique techniques that will bring the service level of your organization to new heights.

Each tip, technique and skill will be discussed as well as how to best use it. While some of these tips and techniques may be familiar, Nancy Friedman, who will lead this webinar, brings a new perspective to each of them.

Friedman’s passion for retail sales and counter training goes above and beyond. As a customer service specialist, Friedman has brought programs to Car-X, Tuffy, Carstar, Precision Tune, LA Tire Dealers, Midas, National Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association (NTDRA) and a host of other automotive companies and associations over the years.

Join her on Thursday, January 20, from 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. (PST) as she conducts this lively session on customer service.

To register for this session or for more information, follow this link.

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

All previously conducted webinars are also available for download, making it more convenient for members to access the sessions on their own schedules. To access the webinar archives page, click here.

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 08:54
The following was written by Rep. John Campbell (R-CA).

I am not the world's greatest authority on the subject of cars and propulsion systems, but I'm probably pretty high on the list in Congress. Some people want cars to go away entirely. Others think we are headed to all electrics, all hybrids or fuel cells. Of course, there are 130 million cars and trucks in the United States today, which are almost entirely powered by gasoline. What should the U.S. policy on cars, and the energy to power them, follow? What are the practical alternatives? [Read more]


Wed, 01/12/2011 - 08:54
The following was written by Rep. John Campbell (R-CA).

I am not the world's greatest authority on the subject of cars and propulsion systems, but I'm probably pretty high on the list in Congress. Some people want cars to go away entirely. Others think we are headed to all electrics, all hybrids or fuel cells. Of course, there are 130 million cars and trucks in the United States today, which are almost entirely powered by gasoline. What should the U.S. policy on cars, and the energy to power them, follow? What are the practical alternatives? [Read more]


Wed, 01/12/2011 - 08:52
Nearly 115,000 industry professionals gathered in Las Vegas the week of November 2–5 for the 2010 SEMA Show,, and the tone was decidedly optimistic. Exhibitors, buyers, media and other professionals were there to learn, collaborate, network and explore, sharing their passion in order to build their businesses and celebrate their shared experiences. The SEMA Show provides a window into the future of the industry as well as the hottest cars and best parts for 2011. [Read more]


Wed, 01/12/2011 - 08:52
Nearly 115,000 industry professionals gathered in Las Vegas the week of November 2–5 for the 2010 SEMA Show,, and the tone was decidedly optimistic. Exhibitors, buyers, media and other professionals were there to learn, collaborate, network and explore, sharing their passion in order to build their businesses and celebrate their shared experiences. The SEMA Show provides a window into the future of the industry as well as the hottest cars and best parts for 2011. [Read more]