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 The latest news from SEMA councils and committees:

Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)

A message from ARMO Vehicles Sub-committee Chairman, Marshall Giorgi:

• As the SEMA Show quickly approaches, the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) is proud to introduce a new opportunity exclusively for ARMO members. Once again, the council will have a booth in the restoration marketplace. Due to limited booth space, we only have room for one display vehicle. This year, the ARMO booth display vehicle will be selected from an ARMO-member company.
  
  The selected vehicle will be displayed with signage in the ARMO booth and may be used for pre- and/or post-Show press coverage. The owner is not permitted to display brochures or other marketing/advertising material within the ARMO booth space. The vehicle owner/presenter of the selected vehicle must provide proof of insurance and accepts full responsibility for transportation of the vehicle to and from Las Vegas for the SEMA Show. The owner agrees to comply with all Show-/vehicle-setup requirements, as well as move-in and move-out schedules. The vehicle owner will also be responsible for regular cleaning/detailing of the vehicle so that it is presentable every day of the Show.
  
  In order for your company’s vehicle to be considered, submit at least four photographs (two exterior, one interior, one engine compartment) and a written history of the vehicle and/or its restoration.
  
  All entries must be received no later than Friday, September 14. Entries received will be reviewed, and the winner will be selected by the ARMO Projects Committee. The winner will be notified by Friday, September 28. Information should be sent via e-mail to marshall@rareparts.com or via post to: ARMO Display Vehicle, Attn. Marshall Giorgi, Rare Parts Inc., 621 Wilshire Ave., Stockton, CA 95203. Questions? Contact Giorgi at 800/621-2005.

To learn more about ARMO, visit www.sema.org/armo or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

• HRIA has announced its educational lineup for the council's Education Day program, February 28, 2008, at the Indianapolis Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana. Working with SEMA’s Education Department, the HRIA was able to secure the services and talents of two notable keynote speakers:  Bob Negen of WhizBang! Training, and Dan Martens of MISIX Inc.—both SEMA Show favorites. A survey of council members identified a strong desire and interest in learning more up-to-date techniques to market their business, products or services. Understanding about marketing a brand was another hot topic of interest.
  
  Education Day consists of two keynote speaker seminars and 35 technical seminars.
  
  Seminar #1
  Maximum Bang for Your Marketing Bucks—How to Bring a Flood of New Customers for Little or No Money
  7:30–8:30 a.m. — White River Ballroom
  Keynote speaker:  Bob Negen, WhizBang! Training
  
  Seminar #2
  Understanding Your Brand and How it Can Work for You
  12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – White River Ballroom
  Keynote speaker:  Dan Martens, MISIX Inc.
  
  NEW FOR 2008: Everybody needs nourishment, and what better way of killing two birds with one stone than to have lunch and listen to a great speaker at the same time!
  
  Technical seminars, better known as manufacturer workshops, will begin at 8:45 a.m. with five seminars running concurrently. A total of 35 workshops throughout the day makes this one of the most desirable educational days available for members. Exhibitors of the Hotrod & Restoration trade show are invited to promote and demonstrate the technical applications of their products by conducting these manufacturer workshops/technical seminars. Approved and final technical seminars will be publicized in SEMA-related materials and in Hotrod and Restoration-related materials. All topics must be technical in nature. Marketing sessions will not be permitted.
  
  To download an application form, visit: www.sema.org/hria. For more information on SEMA educational opportunities visit www.sema.org/education.

To learn more about the HRIA, visit www.sema.org/hria or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Light-Truck Accessory Alliance (TORA)

• The DVD “Why Paint Colors Vary?” This valuable resource is now available. TORA members now have a valuable new tool that will help educate consumers about the challenges of the paint-color-matching process. Available for dealers and installers to play in their waiting areas, the video is presented in a professional format and brings a consistent message on why paint colors vary. The TORA “Why Paint Colors Vary?” DVD is available to TORA council members free of charge (or $49.95 for non-TORA members). Other tools available from TORA are the CHMSL and altered-height CDs. For details or to place an order, contact Staci Bostock at 909/396-0289, ext. 104, or e-mail stacib@sema.org.

To learn more about the TORA, visit www.sema.org/TORA or contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC)

• The 11th annual MPMC Media Trade Conference is set for Tuesday, January 22–Thursday, January 24, 2008, at the Embassy Suites Hotel LAX South in Los Angeles. For more information on the MPMC Media Trade Conference, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

To learn more about the MPMC, visit www.sema.org/mpmc.

Manufacturers' Representatives Council (MRC)

SEMA and the MRC cordially invite you to participate in the SEMA/MRC Interactive Town Hall Dinner, a new component of the SEMA MRC Rep Conference that is designed specifically for manufacturers, WDs and reps. The MRC Rep Conference Town Hall Interactive Dinner takes place immediately following the close of the PWA Conference on Wednesday, September 26, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with the famed MRC sponsored cocktail hour. Dinner service will begin at 6:20 p.m., and the Town Hall discussion will begin at 7:00 p.m. lasting until 9:00 p.m.

The Town Hall is a unique interactive discussion that will explore the expectations the manufacturer, warehouse distributor, and manufacturers' rep all have in an agency or rep servicing a satellite warehouse location. 

• Join leading manufacturers and WDs in uncovering the best way to address sales training for WDs.
• Discover new ways to introduce new products, ultimately leading to more sales.
• Go home with practical solutions to your biggest challenges.

Reserving your seat is easy, click here to download a copy of the registration form. To learn more about the MRC Rep Conference, visit www.sema.org/mrc or contact Jan Desma at mrc@sema.org or call 909/396-0289, ext. 134.

To learn more about the MRC, visit www.sema.org/mrc or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)

To learn more about PRO, visit www.sema.org/pro or contact Ellen McKoy at ellenm@sema.org.

Sport-Compact Council (SCC)

Richard Schroeder: A special online forum has been created in honor of the late Richard Schroeder, who passed away August 13 after a brief bout with cancer. The forum is located at http://schrodo.com; click on forums. Schroeder was a charter member of the Import Performance Committee, which is now known at the Sport-Compact Council. To learn more about Schroeder’s life and passion for motorsports, visit his website at http://www.schrodo.com.  

• Get Connected at the SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN and enjoy a hot buffet breakfast, too! Thursday, November 1, 2007, 7:15 a.m.–9:00 a.m., Las Vegas Hilton, Ballroom A. Connect with fellow SEMA members at the annual SEMA Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN. Participate in Speed Networking—a unique and effective way to build your nexus of contacts. Every few minutes you can meet someone new in the automotive industry; you’ll make more new contacts at one breakfast than most people make in six months! To purchase tickets or for more information on the networking breakfast, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org.

To learn more about the SCC, visit www.sema.org/scc or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

Wheel & Tire Council (WTC)

• Like to get some exposure for your company in front of the wheel and tire industries’ top companies and also have a good time? Become a sponsor of the WTC Reception during the 2007 SEMA Show. The reception is scheduled for Wednesday, November 1, 5:00–7:00 p.m., at the Las Vegas Hilton. Sponsorship Agreement forms have been mailed to all WTC members. If you need a Sponsorship Agreement form or have any questions about the WTC Reception, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org. Sponsorship Agreements must be received by Friday, September 28.
  
  
• Get connected at the SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN and enjoy a hot buffet breakfast, too! Thursday, November 1, 2007, 7:15 a.m.–9:00 a.m., Las Vegas Hilton, Ballroom A. Connect with fellow SEMA members at the annual SEMA Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN. Participate in Speed Networking—a unique and effective way to build your nexus of contacts. Every few minutes you can meet someone new in the automotive industry; you’ll make more new contacts at one breakfast than most people make in six months! To purchase tickets or for more information on the networking breakfast, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org.

To learn more about the WTC, visit www.sema.org/wtc or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN)

• Like to get some exposure for your company in front of the industries’ top companies and also meet new people? Become a sponsor of the SEMA Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN during the 2007 SEMA Show. The breakfast is scheduled for Thursday, November 1, 2007, 7:15 a.m.–9:00 a.m., Las Vegas Hilton, Ballroom A. Sponsorship Agreement forms have been mailed to all SBN members. If you need a Sponsorship Agreement form or have any questions about the WTC Reception, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112 or paulm@sema.org. Sponsorship Agreements must be received by Friday, September 28.
  
  
• Get expert advice on a business-related problem. The SEMA Mentoring Program, Powered by the SBN, is available to all employees of SEMA-member companies. Ask a one-time question or be matched with an established leader. Visit www.sema.org/mentoring for details.
  
  
• SBN has sponsorship opportunities available for its annual breakfast held in conjunction with the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. For information, visit www.sema.org/images/pdf/2007SBNBreakfastSponsorshipAgreement.pdf.
  

To learn more about the SBN, visit www.sema.org/sbn.

Young Executives Network (YEN)

• The annual SEMA Show Silent Auction, hosted by YEN, raised more than $70,000 for the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2006. The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to students pursuing careers in automotive-related fields. SEMA members and Show exhibitors interested in donating an item or becoming involved in the 2007 Silent Auction are encouraged to visit the SEMA Silent Auction website at www.sema.org/silentauction or the YEN SEMA Silent Auction website at www.semasilentauction.com. 
  

• Would you like to gain more exposure for your company among our industry’s rising young executives?  Would you like to enjoy a fun evening getting to know these future industry leaders? Become a sponsor of the Young Executives Network Reception! The reception is scheduled for Tuesday, October 30, 5:00–7:30 p.m., at the Las Vegas Hilton. The reception will have a '50s theme. Sponsorship Agreement forms have been mailed to all YEN members. If you need a Sponsorship Agreement form or have any questions about the YEN Reception, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org. Sponsorship Agreements must be received by Friday, September 28, 2007.
  
  
• Get Connected at the SEMA Speed Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN and enjoy a hot buffet breakfast, too! Thursday, November 1, 2007, 7:15 a.m.–9:00 a.m., Las Vegas Hilton, Ballroom A. Connect with fellow SEMA members at the annual SEMA Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN. Participate in Speed Networking—a unique and effective way to build your nexus of contacts. Every few minutes you will meet someone new in the automotive industry; you’ll make more new contacts at one breakfast than most people make in six months! To purchase tickets or for more information on the networking breakfast, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org.
  
  
• Did you know that the YEN has a Member of the Month Spotlight on the SEMA website and that anyone can be nominated? To view previous selections or to make a nomination, visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.

To learn more about the YEN, visit www.sema.org/yen or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

Exhibitors with celebrities at the 2007 SEMA Show are invited and encouraged to submit details about the celebrity appearances to Lisa Schafer at lisas@sema.org.

Approved appearances will be promoted to buyers, media and other attendees through SEMA publications and signage at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Details should include:

• Name of celebrity or famous vehicle
• Brief description as to what the celebrity or vehicle is best known for
• Date(s) and time(s) of appearance
• Location of appearance

Also include:

• Company name and booth number
• Contact name
• Mobile number
• Office number
• Fax number
• E-mail address
• Company website

Send completed information to lisas@sema.org or contact Lisa Schafer at 909/396-0289, ext. 181, for details. Deadline to guarantee inclusion in signage at the 2007 SEMA Show is Friday, September 14.

Filler for eNews

Regardless of the market niche or area of specialty, one thing that all buyers at the SEMA Show have in common is the need for cost-effective and up-to-date business tools. Targeted specifically for small- and midsize companies in the automotive specialty-equipment industry, the resources featured in the Business Services section of the SEMA Show include what’s new in shelving and displays, shop management systems and software, staffing alternatives and other innovative business solutions.

The SEMA Show established the Business Services section in 2003 to provide professional industry assistance to the many small companies that help make up the automotive specialty-equipment’s $36 billion industry.

Exhibitors in the Business Services Section for 2007 (as of August 20)

• $2.95 Guys: 12912  
• AmazingMail: 13148  
• ARC United Corporation: 13315  
• Automotive Research Center of Automobile Club of S. Calif.: 12962  
• Award/Vision ps-Alpha Beta Press: 13217  
• Banazzle LLC: 13317  
• CallSource: 13216  
• Cape: 13054  
• Car-Part.com: 13140  
• Cherng Yi Hsing Plastic Plating Factory Co. Ltd.: 13253  
• Comerica Bank: 13037  
• CSi Communicator: 13361  
• Ebay Motors: 12926  
• Elantec Industrial Mfg. Co. Ltd.: 13015  
• First Pencil CXN: 12978  
• Get Nitrogen Institute: 13257  
• Jiuzhou Media Co. Ltd.: 13058  
• K&K Insurance: 12966  
• Knobbe, Martens, Olson, & Bear LLP: 13075  
• Long Range Systems: 13320  
• Mitchell 1: 13226  
• Moto Research: 13236  
• Naythons Display Fixture Co.: 13164  
• Oilchangestickers.com: 13235  
• ProGraphics: 13418  
• R.O. Writer/Progressive Automotive: 13016  
• Rent-n-Roll: 13278  
• Retail Control Systems Inc.: 13471  
• Royal 4 Systems: 13207  
• Rydepatrol.com: 13158  
• Sinobal Enterprise Inc.: 12980  
• Siriani & Associates: 13032  
• SMH Consulting: 13156  
• Southwestern Ontario Marketing: 13363  
• Stevens Davis Miller Mosher LLP: 13359  
• TransFirst: 13316  

The 2007 SEMA Show is set for October 30–November 2 in Las Vegas. For complete Show information, visit www.SEMAShow.com.  

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

Pickup sales reached 1,576,875 units during the first seven months of this year, 80% of these being fullsize models. Each one of these new pickup owners represents a potentially new, or possibly repeat, customer for specialty-equipment companies that sell products for these trucks.  With that in mind, it helps to know what pickup owners have purchased for their trucks in order to make an educated guess as to what new pickup owners will purchase. The following is a short excerpt from the 2006 SEMA Light Truck Personalization Report, which provides statistics on what parts and accessories pickup owners purchased in the past.

Although many of the percentages of installed accessories experienced minor fluctuations from 1988–2006, there were several products that saw rather large shifts.

• The heavy-duty trailer hitch experienced a 17% increase from 1988–2006.
• Running boards increased by 17%.
• Side window drip guards increased by 20%.
• The spray-in bedliner market increased 25% since 1999.
• Custom/chrome bumpers had dramatically decreased between 1988 and 1999, from 67% to just 6%. However, the percentage jumped to 20% for 2006, indicating that the custom/chrome bumpers might be regaining some popularity.
• The cap/camper shell has progressively decreased in popularity from 1988–2006, with an overall reduction of 20%.

The following table shows this data.

SEMA members can now receive their complimentary copy of the 2006 SEMA Light Truck Personalization Report as another benefit to being a SEMA member. This data-intensive report is filled with valuable light-truck specialty-equipment industry information, and SEMA members can download the report by visiting www.sema.org/research. 

Source: SEMA Research & Information Center

How has the sport-compact industry changed over the year? To help answer this question, SEMA turned to its Sport-Compact Council (SCC). The following is a short excerpt from the 2006 SEMA Compact Performance Market Report, which posts the results to this question.

SCC Questionnaire
Members of the SCC have deep-seated investments in the industry and extensive knowledge of the compact-performance market segment. They were approached to clarify this topic and called attention to important features other industry professionals need to understand. We posed this question to them:

Define sport compact. Have the characteristics of these vehicles changed over the years?

“Sport Compact: small car, small price and easy to modify. Yes, the characteristics have changed drastically from the big-winged stock cars of the past to well thought-out, faster, better-braking, all-around cars of today.” - John Bulson, Owner, So-Co MotorWorks

“Sport compact is more of a lifestyle vs. a set list of car makes and models. Sport Compact is a youth and social movement that revolves around cars as part of an individual's identity in his/her world in connection with peers. Civic, Evolution, STi, Mustang, Jetta, BMW 3 , Colorado, etc. compare to Nike, Adidas, BK, Tommy Hillfiger, FUBU, etc."  - Ed Burgy, Product Manager, CORSA Performance

“Yes, the sport compact segment has grown to include pretty much any vehicle that doesn’t have a V8 in it and is a sporty platform.” - Yoni Kellman, Marketing/Promotions, Exedy Globalparts Corporation

“Sport compact is not a definition of a type of automobile, but rather it is a term used to describe a lifestyle. Have the vehicles changed? Most definitely. The kids that started this movement in the late '80s, early '90s, have grown up, gone to college, married, got good jobs and are buying better cars (hence the current VIP car enthusiasm). But they can't go without customizing their new rides. That is the reason we as retailers and tuner shops have to adapt to the new trends or we are out of business.” - John E. Stanford, President Serenity Sound Performance

“There are new makes and models (Scion, Chevrolet Cobalt), and the cars have evolved over time, but for the most part these are still budget-minded, sporty, small-displacement cars typically with four- and six-cylinder engines.” - Mike Furlong, Operations Manager, EnhanceLoans.com

“The trend has been towards larger vehicles as vehicle manufacturers have upsized the compact vehicles. With the introduction of the new and exciting subcompact cars, there should be some change. The Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, to go with the Scion, as well as new offerings from Nissan and Mitsubishi, could change the market. It will be interesting since Ford, GM and Chrysler have worked hard to make inroads in the import-dominated scene, and now, potentially, the scene could change to a segment where the domestic brands have no contenders or may not even want to venture.” - Brian Gillespie, Marketing and Product Development, Hasport Performance Inc.

“Sport compact can be defined as 'modern musclecars.' A sport compact was originally a Honda with springs and an intake. It has evolved into vehicles from numerous manufacturers, including Toyota, Scion, Dodge, Subaru, Mitsubishi and GM, and has also opened its arms to the new Mustang and GTO that can be seen at drift competitions. The line between sport compact and "other" has become blurry.” - Matt Jensen, Operations Manager, Motovicity Distribution

“A small, 'sporty,' foreign-manufactured car. As the popularity of these vehicles grew, so too did the level of inclusion into what became increasingly more and more of a scene. It is no longer 'sport compact;' it is now 'lifestyle vehicles.'" - Don Redmon, Replika Maschinen Inc., owner

“The definition of the term 'sport compact' has changed over the years from primarily import cars to include cars from domestic manufacturers.” - Daryl Sampson, Sales and Marketing Manager, Advanced Clutch Technology

Consumer Opinion

In April of 2006, Formula Drift hosted the first round of its series in Long Beach, California. We surveyed some of the attendees for their view of this topic. When asked which of the following would be included in this scene, they submitted answers supporting the notion that consumers associate the market moving upstream to more expensive cars with high-performance characteristics.
 

SEMA members can receive a complimentary copy of the 2006 SEMA Compact Performance Market Report as another benefit to being a SEMA member. This data-intensive report is available by visiting www.sema.org/research. 

Source: SEMA Research & Information Center

After years of ceding ground to its Japanese rivals, GM plans an aggressive offensive back into the midsize sedan segment with its new, redesigned Chevrolet Malibu. The automaker plans a $100 million marketing blitz in an effort to re-awaken interest in its midsize offering and chip away at Toyota Camry and Honda Accord dominance.

Although the front-drive Malibu of recent years bears scant relation to the venerable musclecar of the mid–late '60s, the badge remains an icon of the brand. But whether the new Malibu impacts the specialty-equipment market remains to be seen. Certainly the car is in a promising segment. A SEMA Market Research survey conducted May through July of this year revealed that 19% of respondents who planned to accessorize their vehicle owned a midsize sedan.

SEMA research also shows that in the first seven months of 2007, GM sold approximately 77,000 Malibus, making it the 15th most purchased car in the United States. That’s a 29% drop from the same period last year, however.

In 1990, domestic automakers dominated the segment, controlling almost 70% due largely to the popularity of cars like the Ford Taurus, according to Ward’s Automotive Group data sourced in an Associated Press report. Since then, Honda, Toyota and Nissan have chipped away at Big Three market share, taking the lead in 2005 with 47% of the market. Of that piece of the pie, the Toyota Camry comprises 16%, the Accord, 13%.

Perhaps most significant, the new Malibu also marks a dramatic shift away from the automaker’s dependence on the truck/SUV sales that carried them to wild profitability in the last decade. GM Vice Chairman of Global Product Development Bob Lutz told the AP that the Malibu is the best mid-market, front-drive car that the company has ever produced.

"The new Malibu will be a pivotal car for GM," says Carl Sheffer, SEMA vice president of OEM relations. "It's a historic nameplate, and GM is counting on it to be a big success. And it will lend itself to customization, especially when we can get CAD data and a measuring session for our members."