The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, a true 21st century sports car, will be the official vehicle of the 2008 SEMA Show. 
 
Held Tuesday–Friday, November 4–7, 2008, in Las Vegas, the SEMA Show is the world’s leading automotive accessories trade show.
 
“The influence that the Camaro has had on the automotive industry and vehicle personalization is undeniable,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “Since the car was introduced in 1967, enthusiasts have fallen in love with the Camaro. It’s simply a great example of the passion and excitement that comes from this industry.”
 
After 35 years of continuous production, the Camaro was taken off the assembly line in 2002. Chevrolet introduced a concept version of the popular vehicle in early 2006, announcing later that year that a new generation of the Camaro would be forthcoming. That vehicle is set to debut in 2009.
 
“We are so excited about the return of the Camaro,” said Ed Peper, North America vice president, Chevrolet. “The Camaro brings technology and great design to consumers early next year, we are looking forward to bringing this much anticipated vehicle to the Show in Las Vegas.”
 
General Motors, through several of its vehicle brands, including Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac and Saturn, is a longtime supporter of the SEMA Show. The automaker has exhibited at the event since 1996 and also demonstrates a strong commitment to vehicle personalization by collaborating in numerous SEMA programs that make it easier and more cost-effective for its members to develop products for their vehicles. These programs allow SEMA members to obtain vehicles in advance of the public, access confidential drawings and data on new vehicles and be recognized for their creativity and design achievements.
 
“We could not be more pleased to be working with the General Motors family at the SEMA Show,” said MacGillivray. “The automaker has a long and deep history with our industry, and it’s evident through the vehicles that they manufacture.”
 
Also at the 2008 SEMA Show will be a dozen of the world’s leading automakers, where thousands of display vehicles will be outfitted with custom wheels and tires, mobile electronics, performance products, accessories and more. Each year, more than 130,000 industry professionals attend the event, which is open exclusively to automotive professionals. Additional details about and registration for the 2008 SEMA Show are available at www.SEMAShow.com.
 
Produced by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), the SEMA Show is the premier automotive accessories trade event in the world. The event serves the $38.1 billion automotive specialty-equipment industry, which allows drivers to personalize and enhance their vehicle’s appearance, performance, comfort, convenience, safety and fun.

Visit www.SEMAShow.com or www.sema.org for more information.

SEMA members can now reserve their tables for the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, the annual awards ceremony held in conjunction with the 2008 SEMA Show, that will be hosted November 6 at the Las Vegas Hilton.

For $2,000, members can purchase a host table package, which includes VIP seating, a 30-second video spot that will play during the banquet, sponsorship recognition, gifts and additional amenities. Tables of 10 are also available in the general seating area for $500, or individual tickets can be purchased for $50.

The deadline for table sales is August 8. The banquet has consistently been a sell-out event with members often placed on a wait list. More than 3,000 members attended the 2007 banquet.

To reserve your table, contact Linda Hoverman at 909/396-0289 x127 or LindaH@sema.org.

For more information on the 2008 SEMA Show and SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

SEMA member companies and friends are invited to take part in the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum’s “SEMA Night,” on July 2, in Pomona, California.

During the event, SEMA members, staff and Hall of Famers will celebrate the official opening of the new SEMA Hall of Fame and History exhibit. The exhibit is the result of a two-year project, where the SEMA Board sought to develop a display that honors and recognizes an elite group of leaders and innovators. That exhibit officially opens to the public on July 2, 2008, at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, California, where it will be housed permanently.

The event will begin with an exclusive mixer for members at 3:00 p.m. At 4:00 p.m., nearly 1,000 enthusiasts will join in the festivities as they take part in the museum’s monthly Cruise-In. Members interested in attending should contact Della Domingo at 909/396-0289, ext. 130, or dellad@sema.org.

SEMA Show exhibitors: Discover how you may be able to save costs by scheduling a personal analysis of your SEMA Show program. Experts from Freeman will review your costs and create a plan that will streamline your spending. You’ll learn proven trade show “best practices” and receive a customized “exhibitor report card” that will outline a variety of cost-saving options. Some of the things you may learn are:

• Free material-handling assistance is available for freight up to 1,000 lbs., provided that it is delivered in a privately owned vehicle at a specific location and time.
• Pay nothing by hand-carrying freight.
• The advantages and disadvantages of each of the freight service options that are available.

Learn more by contacting Gary Vigil at garyv@sema.org or 909/396-0289, ext. 107.

Filler for eNews

Filler for eNews

Filler for eNews

During this SEMA webinar session on aftermarket industry trends, SEMA Market Research Analyst Ty Michael will help you spot, stay ahead of and profit from changes in today’s specialty aftermarket industry. Michael will highlight aftermarket trends from the last decade, discuss which direction the market is going, sales opportunities within niche markets, and how to stay ahead. Additional topics include: 

• Industry growth trends through 2007
• Niche markets sales trends;
• Which product groups are the hottest, based on growth rates; and 
• Where consumers are going to buy industry products.

When: Thursday, June 26, 2008, 10:00 a.m. (PDT)

Presenter: Ty Michael, SEMA Market Research Analyst

SEMA's Webinar Program
The SEMA webinar program brings the world-class business seminars featured during the SEMA Show Education Week right to your desktop. Different business-building sessions are constantly added to the program, offering members the latest insight and practices from today’s leading speakers.

All SEMA webinars are conducted live and are open to all employees of SEMA-member companies free of charge. To participate, all you need is a computer with Internet access and a telephone. All previous SEMA webinars are available for download by clicking here. To view upcoming presentations that you can attend via telephone and Internet, click here.

Spy shooter Brenda Priddy tells us that this BMW M3 prototype, caught here in blinding, law-enforcement baiting red, shows us that a minor facelift is in store for the 414-hp 3 Series alpha male. Priddy says a new set of taillights is in order, while other changes may lurk beneath the sheetmetal. Look for the freshened M3 to debut sometime in the next six to 12 months.

SEMA has been successful in configuring and obtaining ARB approval for an engine dynamometer testing protocol to demonstrate that diesel aftermarket performance parts and systems comply with ARB emissions requirements. Compliant products are eligible for an E.O. (Executive Order) under this protocol. Olson Ecologic Inc. (Fullerton, California; contact Don Olson at 714/774-3385) is committed to providing emissions testing services using this protocol. At some point, other testing facilities may also elect to provide such services.

Manufacturers of diesel performance parts and systems, particularly tuning products companies, can now begin emissions evaluations of their products to obtain compliance with the ARB. 

Olson Ecologic has obtained a 2008 Duramax diesel engine and all emissions-related components for engine dyno installation and compliance testing. By contacting Don Olson at the above phone number, you will be able to make arrangements necessary for product testing using the Duramax engine (e.g., costs, scheduling).

The ARB is currently deciding which Ford and Dodge diesel engines and MYs will be required for E.O. testing of applicable diesel performance products. That information is forthcoming and will be shared with the appropriate SEMA membership when received.

In addition, and in view of recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforcement activities directed at diesel aftermarket tuning products, it is also important that you pursue ARB E.O. status in order to address the emissions compliance concerns of the EPA.

SEMA remains available to respond to your compliance questions. You may direct such inquiries to SEMA's Technical Consultant Jim McFarland at 901/377-1210 or jmcfar1@aol.com.