Kia Motors America is now accepting project-vehicle proposals for companies seeking to build a Kia-themed project vehicle for the 2008 SEMA Show, November 4–7 in Las Vegas. Kia's vehicles offered through the program include the Rio, Rondo, Sportage and the all-new Borrego.  

The deadline to submit project-vehicle proposals to Kia is May 27, 2008.

Kia Proposal Guidelines

Here are the details that should be included in submissions to Kia:

1.   Vehicle/Project Theme: Include target market or description of intended customer 

2.   Modification Plan: A list of specific vehicle modification and system upgrades including partnered sources, if appropriate. 

3.   Promotion Plan: A proposed list of intended events, trade shows, publications, etc., where the vehicle will be promoted.  Availability for the 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, is required. Please state where the vehicle will be displayed at the SEMA Show and who will sponsor the vehicle if it is placed in a feature spot.  A booth space is strongly preferred.

4.   Illustrations: Two copies of the proposal and rendering on 8 ½ x 11 paper are required. The color rendering should illustrate front and side appearance (Composite 3/4 views are acceptable) with the intended color and graphic scheme.  If the interior will be significantly modified, an interior sketch is recommended as well. An electronic file in PDF format is also required.

5. Schedule: A proposed reporting process to communicate project status to KMA is also requested.

SEMA members interested in developing a Kia Motors America project vehicle for the 2008 SEMA Show are encouraged to prepare a Project Description Plan and submit it to:

Steve Hirashiki  
Kia Motors America    
111 Peters Canyon Road   
Irvine, CA 92606-1790
E-mail:  shirashiki@kiausa.com
Fax: 949/468-4905

The Exhibit Space Rental Agreement for the 2008 SEMA Show is now available online. Simply go to www.SEMAShow.com and click on the Buy A Booth link located under the Exhibitor headling.

The 2008 SEMA Show will be filled with the buyers you want to see, the media connections you need to make and the networking opportunities that can’t be found anywhere else. Changes that are NEW THIS YEAR are: 

• SEMA has removed the limit on exhibit space. Our effort to make space available to the entire industry has been successful: last year we accommodated over 500 all-new exhibitors at the SEMA Show. This year we are eliminating the space cap to allow all exhibitors the opportunity to purchase additional space. We do reserve the right to reestablish a space cap in the event that demand far exceeds our ability to supply space.
  
  
• There is a new and simple 50/50 payment process. Your first payment (50% deposit) is due by April 4, 2008, and the balance is due by July 11, 2008.
  
  
• The Car Care & Accessories section has been merged with Restyling & Accessories Center and is now called the “Restyling and Car Care Accessories” section.

If you have any questions about your exhibit space, floorplan, seniority or section, call customer service at 702/450-7662, ext. 120. 

Filler for eNews

Filler for eNews

Business owners, installers, restylers and wheel and tire specialists looking to gain a quality advantage in the marketplace are encouraged to register now for the upcoming SEMA Installer Certification exams.

The SEMA certification program includes five exams which will be offered on Thursday, May 13, at more than 700 test centers in the United States and Canada. Testing begins at 7:00 p.m. local time.

The five exams include: Z1/Electric Sunroofs; Z2/Truck Accessories & Body Exterior Components; Z3/Leather Interiors; Z4/Roof Treatments; Z5/Custom Wheel and Tire. The registration deadline is Friday, March 21, 2008.

To register, follow the links located below for the appropriate registration forms. For more information, visit www.sema.org/certification, or e-mail Beverly Rosen at beverlyr@sema.org.

Installer Certification Quick Links

• Facts About the Accessory Certification Exams (Z1–Z4)
• Z1–Z4 Spring 2008 Test Preparation Guide & Registration Booklet
• Z1–Z4 Registration Form Only
• Member Directory of Certified Accessory Specialists (Z1–Z4)
• Certified Installer Insignia & Chevron Uniform Patches (Z1–Z4) order form
• Facts About the Custom Wheel & Tire Certification (Z5) Exam
• Z5 Spring 2008 Test Preparation Guide & Registration Booklet
• Z5 Registration Form Only
• Member Directory of Certified Custom Wheel & Tire Specialists (Z5)

Providing customers with reasons to buy from you is one of the biggest challenges in sales. The pros know the tactics needed to establish credibility and how to deliver on high expectations, while maintaining profitable relationships with customers. "Dale Carnegie's How to Sell Like a Pro! Part 1" will teach you what the pros know and provide you with techniques that can be put to use immediately.

Dale Carnegie's How to Sell Like a Pro! Part 1

When: Thursday, March 20

Speaker: Richard Bonar, Dale Carnegie

What You'll Learn 

• Communicate value from the buyer's perspective
• Use the same sales structure the pros use
• Make any prospect want to buy from you
• Establish credibility quickly and easily
• Take control of conversations while keeping prospects engaged

For more information, visit www.sema.org/webinar.

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 being 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 previously conducted SEMA webinars are available to download anytime by clicking here. To view upcoming presentations that you can attend via the telephone and Internet, click here.

For additional information on the SEMA Webinar program, contact Pat Talaska-Benson at patt@sema.org.

SEMA manufacturing members are invited to preview and gather measurements of Ford's 2009 E-Series and F Super Duty trucks. The Measuring Session is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, at the Ford Conference and Event Center in Dearborn, Michigan. The limit is two persons per company.

Upon confirmation, maps and hotel information will be e-mailed to attendees. Please click here for registration. (If your browser does not link directly, copy and paste the following URL into your browser's address bar):

www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/E_F-Series_Measuring_Session_Form.html.

The event will be separated into a morning and an afternoon session. The agenda (subject to change) is:

Morning Session

• 8:00 a.m.–9:15 a.m.: Classroom-style introduction and discussion with question-and-answer session 
• 9:15 a.m.–9:30 a.m.: Break (beverages served) 
• 9:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: Measuring Session in the garage area

• 1:00 p.m.–2:15 p.m.: Classroom-style introduction and discussion with question-and-answer session
• 2:15 p.m.–2:30 p.m.:Break (beverages served)
• 2:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.: Measuring Session in the garage area

The worst-kept secret this side of the Nissan GT-R, the new Camaro is spotted once again by Brenda Priddy and Co. photographers, this time winter-testing in Europe. Priddy didn't offer any info on this particular mule, but then again, what's to offer? It's black. It's buff. It's bitchin'. GM, bring it.

A version of SEMA-model legislation to create a state motor-vehicle definition for replica vehicles, and allow these vehicles to meet only the equipment and emissions standards in effect for the model year and vehicle being replicated, was approved by the Idaho House of Representatives.

The bill next moves to the Senate Transportation committee for consideration. The bill defines a replica vehicle as a “vehicle made to replicate any passenger car or truck previously manufactured, using metal, fiberglass or other materials. Replica vehicles must look like the original vehicle being replicated, but may use a more modern drive train.”

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-model legislation that would create a vehicle registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles and provide for special license plates for these vehicles was approved by the Michigan House of Representatives by an overwhelming 107–1 bipartisan vote. The bill must now be considered by the Michigan Senate Transportation Committee.

H.B. 5467 defines a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at least 25 years old and manufactured after 1948. The bill allows kit cars and replica vehicles to be assigned a certificate of title bearing the same model-year designation that the body of the vehicle most closely resembles.

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.