Dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows and activities have been announced. Details are:

>> SEMA Webinar: Correlating Parts Service to Customer Wants and Needs, September 13, 10 a.m. (PST)
>> SEMA Webinar: The Future of Inventory Control-RFID, September 20, 10 a.m. (PST)
>> MRC Rep Conference, September 26–27, Phoenix
>> SEMA Show, October 30–November 2, Las Vegas
>> MPMC Media Trade Conference, January 22–24, 2008, Los Angeles
>> SEMA Washington Rally, May 14–15, 2008, Washington, D.C.
>> PAACE Automechanika Mexico, July 9–11, 2008, Mexico City

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities at www.sema.org/classifieds. Working for a SEMA-member company has many advantages. In addition to working for a company that supports and contributes to the success of the overall industry, being employed by a SEMA-member company enable the employee to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more. The newest classified listings posted under Positions Available include:

The newest classifieds under Positions Wanted include:

The newest classifieds under For Sale include:

SEMA members: Have a job opening that you need filled? Members are invited to post classified ads on www.sema.org/classifieds free of charge. Categories available are: Positions Available, Positions Wanted, Rep Opportunities, WD Opportunities, For Sale, Items Wanted, Business Opportunities and Internships. Visit the site for details.

Automotive enthusiasts are most interested in musclecars, street rods, customs and restored vehicles, according to SEMA market research. So who are these enthusiasts? The following is a short excerpt from the 2006 Hot Rod Industry Report, which provides demographic data on this group:

SEMA’s latest Automotive Lifestyles survey was launched in June 2006. It was sent to subscribers of 21 different Primedia publications, including Hot Rod, Motor Trend, Popular Hot Rodding, and Rod & Custom. Some of the questions provide some useful demographic information. One of the questions read, “Please rate your LEVEL OF INTEREST in the following vehicle types.” The results for some of these categories are provided in the table below.
 

A total of 80% indicated an interest in musclecars; 70% indicated an interest in street rods and customs; and 74% indicated an interest in restored vehicles. Of those who said they were very interested in musclecars, 97.2% were male and 2.8% were female. Of those who said they were very interested in street rods and customs, 96.8% were male and 3.2% were female. And of those who indicated they were very interested in restored vehicles, 96% were male and 4% were female. It is interesting to look at the age demographics. The numbers are spread rather evenly across the board. This is very promising because it shows that people of all ages have an interest in pre-'73 vehicles, indicating that the younger generations will help carry hot rodding into the future. The data is represented in the following table.   

The Automotive Lifestyles survey was sent to subscribers of several Primedia magazines. The age demographics were sliced based on the magazine to which the respondents subscribe. In this case, the 40–58 age group makes up the largest proportion, with nearly 53%. However, these numbers do not take into account those people who buy the magazines off the shelf each month.

Another question in the Automotive Lifestyles survey asked respondents to indicate their highest level of education. Again, for the purpose of this report, only those respondents who indicated they were very interested or somewhat interested in musclecars, street rods and customs and restored vehicles are included.

It's interesting to note that the age demographics for those interested in each of the three categories are nearly identical. The numbers also mirror the age demographics of the magazine subscribers.

SEMA members can receive a complementary copy of the full-length 2006 Hot Rod Industry Report as another benefit to being a SEMA member. The report is filled with valuable facts and figures that about the ever-growing hot-rod industry, and you may download the report by visiting www.sema.org/research. 

Source: SEMA Research & Information Center

Light-truck product sales have grabbed an even bigger slice of the specialty-equipment industry pie in the last decade, rising 5.5% from 1996–2006, according to SEMA Market Research in its recent Light-Truck Market Update.

Even as the industry has grown, the light-truck market has increased its market share from 28.5% in 1996 to 33.9% last year. The actual sales figure more than doubled in that period, from $5.03 billion to $12.45 billion.

This is good news despite recent declines in new and used light-truck sales. This hasn’t stopped enthusiasts from modifying, though, particularly when it comes to accessory and appearance parts, a category that comprised 62.6% of light-truck accessory sales, according to SEMA research.

To read the entire Light-Truck Market Update from SEMA News, click here.

For greater insight into the specialty-equipment market, join SEMA and access timely, original research. Visit www.sema.org/research for more, including the entire 2006 Light-Truck Accessorization Report.

Filler for eNews

Serving both form and function, bumpers protect and personalize our cars, and enthusiasts have demonstrated they’ll pay high-dollar for the right fit and application. For the first two quarters of 2007, enthusiasts spent more than $1 million on bumpers, bumper covers and related parts via online auction, according to data from Terapeak, a developer of market-focused research software that monitors online sales and auctions.

Although sales have slowed in the third quarter, the numbers are still on pace to top $1 million. In the first quarter, online auction sales averaged $1,356,300, then $1,271,600 in the second quarter (a 6.2% drop).

Predictably, the highest ticket items were for European applications, such as a front bumper clip and nose for a Ferrari F430 that sold for $1,150. Bumpers, covers and fascias for Porsche, Audi and Volvo also sold near the top of the pay scale, as did fitments for Ford’s Shelby GT500 Mustang and late '50s Cadillacs, Oldsmobiles and T-Birds. A pair of rear bumper ends—simply the ends—or a ‘57/’58 Cadillac went for nearly $1,300.

How prevalent is Internet purchasing among specialty-equipment enthusiasts?

"For the past two years, SEMA research has shown that the highest percentage of automotive enthusiasts indicate they purchased their performance parts and accessories over the Internet," says SEMA research analyst Ty Michael.

"Interestingly, roughly the same percentage of enthusiasts indicated that they purchased their parts at traditional brick and mortar shops. Thirty-nine percent of enthusiasts said they purchased on the Internet, compared to 31% who indicated they went to a physical location to make their purchases."

Terapeak Motors P&A Research provides sellers with access to comprehensive research on the past year of online auction data and allows users to get in-depth research reports on the competition and themselves. More at www.terapeak.com/motors.

Trends. Some are good, some are horrible. A few are as obvious as the nose on your face, others are as subtle as the wink of an eye. But every trend helps steer the industry and its businesses, and all of the industry’s businesses can benefit by recognizing and acting upon trends. To that end, SEMA News magazine is looking for industry insiders who can provide expertise in spotting and evaluating automotive specialty-equipment trends, and people who understand the industry in general and specific market segments.

If you consider yourself a spotter of trends, please take a few minutes to click on one or more of the links below and take part in the 2007 SEMA News Industry Trends survey. The results will be published in the November 2007 issue of the magazine.

Thanks for participating!

Performance Wheels & Tires
http://fs10.formsite.com/semasource/form426901135/index.html  

Exterior Trends
http://fs10.formsite.com/semasource/form978889438/index.html  

Interior Styling Trends
http://fs10.formsite.com/semasource/form978904465/index.html

Mobile Technology Trends
http://fs10.formsite.com/semasource/form978931061/index.html

Suspension Trends
http://fs10.formsite.com/semasource/form979094369/index.html

Performance Trends
http://fs10.formsite.com/semasource/form979119451/index.html

The SEMA webinar program provides members with access to business insight and tips covering a range of business- and industry-related topics. The sessions are conducted live and are accessible anywhere with a telephone and Internet access. For added convenience, after the sessions are completed, all webinars are made available for download at www.sema.org/webinars. Below are a few of the sessions recently added to the download list.

• Boost Your Company Image, Sales and Profitability With Good Product Data
  The automotive industry is quickly moving into the world of technology and the benefits are rightfully so—increased sales, fewer returns and improved product exposure. Learn how to produce good and complete product data when presenter Scott O'Toole of Motor State Distributing explains the 17 vital pieces of product data that will help increase your bottom line.
  
• What the Supreme Court's Leegin Decision Means for Minimum Resale Price Agreements
  The U.S. Supreme Court decided to upset 100 years of case law related to agreement to set minimum retail or resale prices. Learn the legal and practical significance of this decision and how it can affect your business from presenter Barbara T. Sicalides of Pepper Hamilton, LLP, Vice Chair of the firm's Commercial Litigation Practice Group. Her practice covers antitrust litigation and counseling, distribution disputes/arrangements, class actions, securities and other general litigation.
  
• Don't Say 'Next Year I'll Do The Show Better—JUST DO IT NOW—We'll Show You How!
  Because a large portion of your annual marketing budget is allocated to the SEMA Show, it's important to capitalize on your investment. Discover how to accomplish your goals and achieve overwhelming success as SEMA Show organizer and trade show veteran Chuck Schwartz, CEM of ConvExx shares case studies of SEMA Show exhibitors that have found success, and how you can capitalize on their winning strategies.

The audio and PDF presentation of these webinars and many others are available for download at www.sema.org/webinar. Navigate to the menu on the right-hand side of the page, scroll down to "Recent Webinars" and click for the download.

Hot Wheels announced its partnership with SEMA for the annual automotive aftermarket convention in Las Vegas. "Fueling the Passion for Hot Wheels," along with the legendary Hot Wheels logo, will be present on all 2007 Show-related materials and events—from T-shirts and Show programs, to banquets and awards.

"Hot Wheels has been a participant at SEMA for many years, and we're thrilled to kick off our 40th anniversary with an even bigger presence at this year's Show," said Geoff Walker, vice president of wheels marketing, Mattel Brands. "The theme 'Fueling the Passion for Hot Wheels' captures the influence the automotive industry has had on the Hot Wheels brand over the years, as well as our influence and inspiration on the industry."

For this partnership, Hot Wheels and SEMA will introduce the "Hot Wheels Design Award" at this year's Show, which will be awarded to four customized vehicles that embody the essence of the Hot Wheels brand, including speed, power, performance and attitude.

Hot Wheels will also present the "Best Custom Car" and "Best Custom Truck" awards, both new to the Show, at the annual New Products Awards Breakfast. 

"What makes Hot Wheels a great partner for SEMA is that the renowned die-cast brand truly mirrors all of the various areas within the automotive specialty-equipment market," says Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. "And to have a celebrated brand like Hot Wheels play such a large role in our Show, gets us, and our Show participants, revved up for this year's convention."

During the week-long Show, Hot Wheels will make its mark throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center with life-size Hot Wheels vehicles, various brand artifacts, memorabilia and collectibles, as well as participate in a variety of Show events that celebrate the die-cast brand's 40th anniversary.

Toyota Motor Corporation donated a brand new 2007 Toyota Tundra CrewMax Limited 5.7L 4X4 Pickup to be the featured item at this year's annual SEMA Show Silent Auction, which benefits the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund and is presented by the SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN).

"We are very excited about Toyota's amazing generosity," said Bianca Hennings, a YEN member and the 2007 SEMA Silent Auction Task Force chairperson. "Each year we have a vehicle donated to be the featured item and each year it seems as though the donated vehicle gets nicer and nicer. This year is certainly no exception. The brand-new Tundra that Toyota sent us is loaded to the max with every single option that comes from the Toyota plant. It is simply an amazing vehicle that we are looking forward to auctioning off for a truly good cause, such as the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund."

The 2007 Toyota Tundra is currently going through a customization process from a highly professional team of enthusiasts, lead by Mike Spagnola, a SEMA Board member and President/CEO of Street Scene Manufacturing Inc.

The Silent Auction has been a don’t-miss feature of the SEMA Show since 1993. Presented by YEN, the Silent Auction has raised close to $1 million since its inception. These funds are raised to support scholarships for students seeking careers in the specialty-equipment industry and student loan forgiveness for those working for SEMA member companies.

The 2007 SEMA Silent Auction will once again be easy to find, located on the Sky Bridge above the South Hall lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center. You can place your bids during Show hours Tuesday through Thursday. Bidding closes at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, and all winners must claim their loot by 4:00 p.m. Friday.

Currently, SEMA’s Young Executive Network has more than 500 members networking in the industry and is the largest SEMA committee. If you are employed by a SEMA-member company and are under the age of 39, you can join YEN for free. If you are interested in participating in the SEMA Silent Auction on any level, visit www.SEMAShow.com/silentauction or www.semasilentauction.com for additional information.