Attendees checking out one of the hundreds of exhibitor displays at the 2008 SEMA Show.

Booth space sign-ups have kicked off for the 2009 SEMA Show to a strong industry response. Be among those businesses that are demonstrating to the world that they are open for business.

The following prominent companies are among the hundreds that have already signed up: Magnaflow Performance Exhaust; MITO Corporation; K&N Engineering; General Motors; Moroso Performance Products; Universal Products; Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels; and The Wheel Group.

Companies can begin the process of exhibiting at the Show by visiting www.SEMAShow.com and accessing the online Exhibit Space Rental Agreement. Agreements and deposits must be received by Friday, May 8, 2009, in order to participate in priority space selection.

An e-mail with a direct link to the form was sent to the primary contact for all manufacturing members and for every company that has exhibited within the past two Shows. Exhibitors should check their inboxes for the e-mail that was sent on Friday, February 20.

A new feature for the 2009 Show includes the addition of a “Powersports & Utility Vehicles” section. Designated for scooters, ATVs, motorcycles, pocket bikes, mini-bikes, golf carts, two- and three-wheel personal vehicles, accessories and services, this section is sure to attract a whole new world of qualified buyers.

This year, SEMA has expanded the free drayage program. The program allots free drayage to exhibitors with 1,000 lbs. or less of freight that is transported to the Show in their personal vehicles.

Exhibitors will also enjoy rock-bottom, SEMA-negotiated room rates starting at less than $65 per night. The rooms will be available mid-April at www.SEMAShow.com and an announcement will be made in SEMA eNews at the time reservations are being accepted.

The 2009 SEMA Show will be held November 3–6, in Las Vegas. For more details on the 2009 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com. For any questions, contact ConvExx Show Management at sema-exhibit@convexx.com or call 702/450-7662, ext. 120.

Last week SEMA eNews reported that Crane Cams had closed operations. Crane's vice president now says the company will restructure and could open within a month.

A week after the Daytona Beach newspaper News-Journal reported that Crane Cams had closed its doors, AutoWeek has quoted Crane Vice President Steve Leva as saying the company planned to reopen within 30 days. All of the company's 280 employees were laid off, with about 25 remaining to work on military contracts, according to AutoWeek.

Crane may have additional incentive to stay in business; Leva notes that $18 million has been invested in equipment since the company's acquisition by Mikronite Technologies Group Inc. in 2006.

Coming soon...the new SEMA.org, an interactive experience focused on creating relevant experiences for members of the specialty-equipment industry while offering the searching and browsing tools to find what you want fast!

SEMA members will have access to a new member-only benefit called MySEMA. The powerful MySEMA portal will allow members to browse company and user directories, send and receive messages and receive personalized industry content through a variety of media channels.

Additionally, you will be able to connect with other members with similar interests and have a team of designated staff available to help maximize your membership value. Redesigned by SEMA and website development partner NFi Studios, MySEMA and SEMA.org will continually evolve and adapt to your needs.

MySEMA and SEMA.org and will be in public beta starting March 27, 2009. For more information, contact Tom Myroniak.

Filler for eNews

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund application deadline is fast-approaching. The deadline is Wednesday, April 1, at 11:59 pm (CST).

Apply Online Today!

During these challenging economic times, any financial assistance toward your education can help you reach your long-term career goals. Through the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, SEMA will be helping to pay the college tuition costs of today’s top students or contribute toward your employees’ student loans. In 2008, 40% of all qualified applicants received at least $1,000 toward their education.

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to fostering the next generation of industry leaders and innovators by offering scholarships to today’s brightest students attending various universities, colleges and/or vocational schools in both the United States and Canada.

SEMA is asking the best and brightest to apply for the SEMA Scholarship Fund or the SEMA Loan Forgiveness Program—both were created to help those in need achieve their goal of obtaining a career in the specialty-equipment market.

If you have a candidate in mind, simply have them visit:

• www.SEMA.org/Scholarships for details on how to apply for the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, or
• www.SEMA.org/LoanForgiveness for details on how to apply for the SEMA Loan Forgiveness program.

Students and/or your employees have the opportunity to be awarded up to $4,000 toward their tuition costs or loans.
 
For more information, e-mail member@sema.org today.

Regardless of the economic climate, keeping costs in line is a fundamental practice for business owners. However, when there are fewer customers coming through the doors, analyzing your business costs can make the ultimate difference in your bottom-line performance.

The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), producers of the Aftermarket eForum, announced that the 2009 eForum will be conducted completely online.

The Virtual Aftermarket eForum will cover eCommerce and supply-chain technology solutions in the vehicle aftermarket through general sessions, keynote presentations, panel discussions, breakout sessions, audience interaction, vendor exhibits and peer-to-peer networking.

The Aftermarket eForum is important for senior-level executives—including business developers, manufacturers’ reps, CIOs eCommerce providers, consultants and WDs—who want to understand the eCommerce and supply-chain transformations taking place in the vehicle aftermarket.

In addition to the AAIA, the event is produced in conjunction with the Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada, Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) and SEMA.

The 2009 event is tentatively scheduled for September. More information is available at www.aftermarketeforum.com.

As a benefit of your SEMA membership, companies enrolled in the SEMA Freight Savings Program receive a discount on qualifying less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments with YRC—the transportation-service provider that was formed as a result of the Roadway and Yellow Transportation integration. Members enrolled in the program will save money and also benefit from YRC’s comprehensive network of regional and national coverage.

Member companies that have already joined the Association freight-saving’s program will have discounts automatically applied to their YRC shipments.

For information and enrollment forms click here.

GM shocked enthusiasts with news that it was disbanding its High Performance Vehicle Operations (HPVO ) team, the same crew responsible for V-series Cadillacs, the Chevy Cobalt SS and HHR SS. But spy photographer Brenda Priddy tells us that the HPVO team still has one trick up its sleeve.

"The last time we saw a CTS Coupe V-series prototype was in August 2008," Priddy says. "It's absence since then, combined with GM's Viability Plan submitted to Congress, had many thinking the hot-rod coupe had been killed off. These new photos show that the V-series coupe is alive and well."

Compared to the prototypes spied in August, Priddy says these look production-ready down to the wheels, exhaust tips and V-series badging. The wire mesh grilles, power dome hood, wider tires, larger wheels, huge brake calipers and two massive, center-mount exhaust outlets also haven't changed. Under that power dome hood is the 6.2L, supercharged V8 motor known as the LSA. Good for 556 hp and 551 lb.-ft. in the CTS-V sedan, we expect the Coupe V ratings to be very similar.

Expect the V-series coupe to start production next summer when the regular coupe starts rolling down the line at the Lansing Grand River plant.

Photos copyright Brenda Priddy & Company. Reuse or reproduction without copyright holder's consent is prohibited.

GM shocked enthusiasts with news that it was disbanding its High Performance Vehicle Operations (HPVO ) team, the same crew responsible for V-series Cadillacs, the Chevy Cobalt SS and HHR SS. But spy photographer Brenda Priddy tells us that the HPVO team still has one trick up its sleeve.

"The last time we saw a CTS Coupe V-series prototype was in August 2008," Priddy says. "It's absence since then, combined with GM's Viability Plan submitted to Congress, had many thinking the hot-rod coupe had been killed off. These new photos show that the V-series coupe is alive and well."

Compared to the prototypes spied in August, Priddy says these look production-ready down to the wheels, exhaust tips and V-series badging. The wire mesh grilles, power dome hood, wider tires, larger wheels, huge brake calipers and two massive, center-mount exhaust outlets also haven't changed. Under that power dome hood is the 6.2L, supercharged V8 motor known as the LSA. Good for 556 hp and 551 lb.-ft. in the CTS-V sedan, we expect the Coupe V ratings to be very similar.

Expect the V-series coupe to start production next summer when the regular coupe starts rolling down the line at the Lansing Grand River plant.

Photos copyright Brenda Priddy & Company. Reuse or reproduction without copyright holder's consent is prohibited.