A version of SEMA model legislation to create a registration category for replica motor vehicles was approved by the Nevada State Legislature.   Under the bill, replicas are defined as vehicles manufactured after 1968 to resemble vehicles manufactured before 1968. Replicas would be exempted from all emissions inspection requirements applicable to other vehicles in the state.  Registration as a replica vehicle would be open to 100 such vehicles each year and use would be limited to occasional transportation and other hobby-related activities. Titles for these vehicles would list both the year of assembly and the model year that the body of the vehicle replicates. The bill must now be signed by the governor before being enacted into law. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org

INDY MOVES: Dario Franchitti won the rain-shortened Indianapolis 500 to become the first Scotsman to win the prestigious event since his hero, Jimmy Clark, in 1965. Meanwhile, his team owner, Michael Andretti, retired from driving after finishing 13th on Sunday.

OPEN-WHEEL ACES: Eric Gordon won the Little 500 sprint car race, 500 laps on the quarter-mile oval at Anderson (Indianapolis) Speedway, for the eighth time in his career, while teenager Kevin Swindell, the son of Sammy Swindell, won the Night Before the 500 midget race at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis.

THE BIG APPLE: Despite speculation the event would move to Las Vegas, the annual NASCAR Nextel Cup Series banquet will return to New York City for the 27th consecutive year November 30 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

CHIEFS: Several NASCAR crew chiefs are on the move. Pat Tryson was let go as crew chief for Roush Fenway Racing and driver Greg Biffle. He was replaced by Greg Erwin. David Hyder, who had been suspended for most of the season after Michael Waltrip's car was found with illegal fuel at Daytona, will return to the garage area this weekend, working as crew chief on Jeremy Mayfield's Bill Davis Racing Toyota.

NO. 1: Defending World of Outlaws sprint-car champion Donny Schatz used a victory and a second-place finish to move to the top of the National Speed Sport News Power Rankings.

SUBSCRIBE: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. To subscribe to National Speed Sport News, click on the following link for a special industry rate: http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/subscribe.html?pid=NQ%2BVfhkepT4%3D.

NEWS NUGGETS

PROCARE RX TO SPONSOR SUPERNATIONALS: ProCare Rx, a premier pharmacy benefit management company, has signed an agreement with the NHRA to become the title sponsor of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event at historic Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey. The event sponsorship is the first involvement in NHRA for ProCare Rx.  "We are pleased to welcome ProCare Rx into our family of national event sponsors in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series," said Gary Darcy, senior vice president of sales and marketing, NHRA.  "As NHRA continues to welcome more non-traditional sponsors into the sport, we look forward to a mutually rewarding relationship with ProCare Rx as the title sponsor of the high-profile NHRA POWERade Series event at Englishtown."

JACK MULDOWNEY DIES: The man who started Shirley Muldowney on her way to drag-racing greatness, Jack Muldowney, passed away earlier this month due to cancer.  He was 70 when he died on May 24. Shirley married Jack, who was an amateur racer, at the age 17. It was his love of cars that gave her the love of racing the quarter-mile. The two went on to rack up more than 200 wins in their early days of racing a variety of street cars and then an injected gas dragster. Muldowney, a longtime member of Schenectady New York's Road Kings Car Club, hand-built the first dragster in which Shirley earned her dragster license in 1965.  Although they divorced in 1972, they remained good friends.  "He was a great guy," said Shirley.  "We got along great and kept our friendship all these years.  He taught me how to drive; if it wasn't for him, I never would have been able to do what I've done.  He really was the one."

HIGHT TO TEST ARM AT KAUFFMAN STADIUM: John Force Racing's Robert Hight, currently second in Funny Car points, will test his pitching ability prior to racing at Heartland Park Topeka this weekend.  On Wednesday, May 30, Hight will throw out the honorary first pitch before the Kansas City Royals take on the Baltimore Orioles.

"THE PROFESSOR" GETS PULLED OVER: A few weeks ago the parking lot of Warren Johnson Enterprises looked more like a scene from a police television show than a working race team facility. Despite the official-looking nature of the event, including one officer issuing NHRA Pro Stock legend Warren Johnson a summons, there was no cause for alarm.  With an unexpected break in the schedule, the GM Performance Parts GTO driver was simply giving back to his community, taking part in a photo shoot as part of a campaign to help promote safe driving.  "The Elbert County Sheriff's Department contacted us before the Atlanta race to see if I would be interested in participating in a campaign to promote safe driving," said Johnson. "Naturally, I jumped at the chance, especially since it was aimed at younger drivers, who need as much help as they can get, although there are certainly a few older drivers who could also use some advice.  We set a date, and they came by the shop, spending the better part of an afternoon taking different shots with a patrol car positioned behind our GM Performance Parts GTO and a sheriff towering over me as I sat in the car, as if he was writing a ticket.  Even though I knew it was all staged, I have to admit it still gave me that familiar, uneasy feeling."

JEGS.COM MAKES A RETURN AS PRIMARY CAR SPONSOR: Jeg Coughlin Jr. wasn't without a primary sponsor for long before JEGS.com came to the rescue. The Internet home of his family owned Ohio-based business is returning to the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series as the primary sponsor of his Cagnazzi Racing Chevy Cobalt.  Coughlin was sponsored before by his family business, including his two Pro Stock championship campaigns. JEGS.com is the Internet home of mail-order parts giant JEGS High Performance Parts. Coughlin, one of four brothers who took over the Delaware, Ohio-based company in 1998 from family patriarch Jeg Coughlin, won POWERade Series Pro Stock world championships in 2000 and 2002.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

O'REILLY NHRA SUMMER  NATIONALS (AND NHRA SPORT COMPACT NATIONALS), TOPEKA, KANSAS, HEARTLAND PARK TOPEKA, JUNE 1–3: The ninth race of the NHRA POWERade season, this marks the beginning of the turn for home in the 17-race "regular season" portion of the NHRA POWERade Countdown to the Championship. Drivers will begin jockeying for one of the top eight spots that will guarantee them a place in the second stage, the Countdown to 4.

NORTHEAST NHRA SPORT COMPACT NATIONALS, ATCO, NEW JERSEY, ATCO RACEWAY, JUNE 9–10: Defending champions at the popular stop on the Sport Compact circuit are: Brad Personett (Pro RWD), Bryan Jimenez (Pro FWD), Jorge Lazcano (Modified), Ron Lummus (Hot Rod) and Norris Prayoonto (Honda Tuning Magazine All Motor).

TORCO RACING FUELS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS, JOLIET, ILLINOIS, ROUTE 66 RACEWAY, JUNE 7–10: NHRA legend John Force holds the track records for time and speed here (4.665 seconds, 333.58 mph) and he has won three of his NHRA-record 122 races at the spectacular raceway, that hosted its first NHRA POWERade Series race in 1998. This race also features the eight best Pro Stock cars from the last year racing for the $50,000 winner's share in the NHRA King Demon Crown bonus event.

PROCARE RX NHRA SUPERNATIONALS, ENGLISHTOWN, N.J., OLD BRIDGE TOWNSHIP RACEWAY PARK, JUNE 21–24: The drivers and riders of the NHRA POWERade Series return to the historic racetrack in Englishtown to begin the first of six race weekends in a row.  Rod Fuller, Ron Capps, Jason Line and Matt Smith look to repeat their winning performances from 2006.

.INSIDE THE NUMBERS

8: The number of event wins John Force has in the Funny Car category at Heartland Park Topeka.  His most recent win came in 2005 when he defeated Tommy Johnson Jr.  He has the most wins in Funny Car at this track.

DRIVERS TELL ALL

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH: Morgan Lucas, driver of the Lucas Oil dragster, knows what it means to have a tough time, but he also realizes that he needs to keep going.  He hasn't qualified for racing on Sunday in the last two races.  "Sure, it's been tough," said Lucas.  "Going through something like this would normally get me down, but I wasn't going to let that happen.  We need to regroup and come out strong in Topeka and we have our full confidence in our Lucas Oil crew led by Rahn Tobler."  Lucas' record at HPT is impressive with two consecutive semi-final appearances.  His team lead the way in 2005 setting low elapsed time of the event at 4.502 seconds.  "For some reason that track likes me," Lucas said.  "Really, when the temperature rises our performance does also, and I'm very glad summer is coming on strong.  We're going through the heart of our schedule the next nine weeks and we have to build momentum to carry us through it all.  That will only happen if we can put our efforts towards the quarter-mile and gain the performance we're looking for."

For more information, visit www.nhra.com.

The latest news from SEMA councils and committees:

Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC)
 
MPMC members have the unique opportunity to help shape the future of the automotive aftermarket by choosing appropriate representatives to serve on the select committee as their eyes, ears and voice.

Nominees for 2007 MPMC Select Committee Election

• Rich Barsamian, Grant Products International Inc. – Incumbent
• Ed Burgy, CORSA Performance – Incumbent
• Billy Carroll, Wilson Manifolds
• Bob Engel, Auto Meter Products Inc.
• Kyle Fickler, Aeromotive Inc.
• Geoffrey Gerko, Mr. Gasket Performance Group
• Joe Hige, Turbonetics Inc.
  
• Ryan Hunter, SCE Gaskets Inc. – Incumbent
• Marla Moore, Hypertech Inc. – Incumbent
• Dan Qualls, Total Seal Inc.
• Bob Ritzman, B&M Racing & Performance Products Inc. – Incumbent
• Todd Ryden, MSD Ignition – Incumbent
• John Sonnefeldt, Eaton Performance Products

Election ballots were mailed to all MPMC members in May. Member are encouraged to check their inboxes for numbered ballots. The deadline to submit ballots is Friday, June 15. Your vote and voice is important to the forward motion of the MPMC. Vote now!

If you have any questions, please contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289 ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org. To learn more about the MPMC, visit www.sema.org/mpmc.

Sport-Compact Council (SCC)

Members of the SCC have the unique opportunity to help shape the future of the automotive aftermarket by choosing appropriate representatives to serve on the select committee as their eyes, ears and voice.

Nominees for 2007 SCC Select Committee Election

• Ross Berlanga, KTC Media Group
• Ed Burgy, CORSA Performance – Incumbent
• Jim Liaw, Formula Drift
• Kirk Miller, AEM – Incumbent
• Ahad Mirza, Auto Meter Products
• Oliver Rachlein, Eibach Springs Inc.
• Albert Reda, Vibrant Performance
• Brian Reese, Competition Cams Inc.
• Malen Reger, Motovicity Distribution – Incumbent
• Gary Rubio, Performance Motorsport Inc.
• Richard Schroeder, Eagle Vista Productions – Incumbent
• Tyler Tanaka, Turbonetics, Inc. – Incumbent
• James Yim, K&N Engineering Inc.

Election ballots were mailed to all SCC members in May. Members are encouraged to check their inboxes for numbered ballot. The deadline to submit ballots is Friday, June 15. Your vote and voice is important to the forward motion of the SCC. Vote now!

If you have any questions, please contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289 ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org.

• Tracie Nuñez, Advanced Clutch Technology, was elected chairman-elect of the SCC. Nuñez will start her role on July 1 when current chairman-elect, Eric Breslow, Power Slot/Power Performance Group, takes over as SCC chairman.

SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN)

Members of the SBN have the unique opportunity to help shape the future of the automotive aftermarket by choosing appropriate representatives to serve on the select committee as their eyes, ears and voice.

Nominees for 2007 SBN Select Committee Election

• Emily Bailey, Racemark International
• Savitri Dhiman, Wheel to Wheel Powertrain
• Melissa Lawrence, Power TV Media
• Kristine Lindahl, ARP
• Nancy Loetfering, TD3 Products
• Marla Moore, Hypertech Inc. - Incumbent
• Kristy Neukam, Meyer Distributing
• Linn Remling Mills, Street Thunder Magazine
• Jan Sica, Vince Sica and Associates
• Kathryn Wakeford, TEN Magazine
• Trina Wilson, Direct Communications

Election ballots were mailed to all SBN members in May. Members are encouraged to check their inboxes for numbered ballots. The deadline to submit ballots is Friday, June 15. Your vote and voice is important to the forward motion of the SBN committee. Vote now!

If you have any questions, please contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289 ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org.

• 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.
  

Members of the Young Executives Network have the unique opportunity to help shape the future of the automotive aftermarket by choosing appropriate representatives to serve on the select committee as their eyes, ears and voice.

Nominees for 2007 YEN Select Committee Election

• Mike Bolio, Scafidi-Bolio & Associates
• Ashley Chalk, Daytona International Speedway – Incumbent
• Casey Coker, Coker Tire Company
• S. Kellie Colf, Eaton Detroit Spring – Incumbent
• Zac Compton, Classic Instruments Inc.
• Jamie Cook, Wangs International/Pilot Automotive
• Bob Engel, Auto Meter Products Inc.
• Jason Fink, Advantage Truck Accessories, Inc.
• Nick Gramelspacher, Meyer Distributing – Incumbent
• Bianca Hennings, Window Canvas – Incumbent
• Derrick Johnston, Alliance Sales
• Brett Kinsfather, K&N Engineering, Inc. – Incumbent
• Greg Parker, P&E Distributors, Inc. – Incumbent
• Shawn Pitts, Considine Sales & Marketing
• Eric Saltrick, Steele Rubber Products
• Douglas Schriefer, Barry Grant, Inc.
• Melanie White, Hellwig Products
• Robert Wityczak, Grant Products International Inc.
• Mandi Woodell, Weather Auto Supply – Incumbent

Election ballots were mailed to all YEN members in May. Members are encouraged to check their inboxes for numbered ballots. The deadline to submit ballots is Friday, June 15. Your vote and voice is important to the forward motion of the YEN committee. Vote now!

If you have any questions, please contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289 ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org.

• Did you know that the annual SEMA Show Silent Auction, hosted by the SEMA Young Executives Network, raised more than $70,000 for the SEMA Scholarship Fund in 2006? If you are interested in donating an item or becoming involved in the 2007 Silent Auction, please visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.

• Did you know that YEN 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, then you can join the YEN for free. If you are interested in becoming part of the team, visit the YEN website at www.sema.org/yen.

• Bianca Hennings, Window Canvas, was selected for the YEN Silent Auction Task Force Chairman. Hennings will assume the position when the current chairman, Dave Williams, Rampage Products, finishes his term with the YEN Select Committee in July. The SEMA Silent Auction, that is managed by the YEN, has raised more than $100,000 for the SEMA Scholarship Fund in the past three years. If you are interested in participating in the SEMA Silent Auction on any level, visit www.sema.org/yen for additional information.

• Did you know that YEN sponsors networking events and mixers at most of the major trade shows and conferences? If you are interested in becoming a member of the SEMA Young Executive’s Network, please visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.

• Becoming involved in SEMA at an early age will help you work your way to the top. Did you know that current SEMA Chairman of the Board, Mitch Williams, was once a member of YEN? If you are interested in becoming a YEN member, visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.

• Lance Packard, Painless Performance, was elected YEN chairman-elect. Packard will assume the position when current chair-elect, Laurel Dasher, Uni-Marketing LLC, takes over as YEN chairman on July 1.

• 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.

More SEMA council and committee news:

Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)

The following council members are the candidates for the ARMO Select Committee elections. There are six open seats for this year’s election. For information and how to vote, contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

ARMO Select-Committee Candidates

• Melvin Benzaquen, Classic Restoration Enterprises, Inc.
• Todd Bidwell, Parts Unlimited, Inc. (Incumbent)
• Ken DeVries, Trader National Publishing
• Steven Moskowitz, Antique Automobile Club of America, Inc.
• Roger Niehaus, Auto Custom Carpets, Inc. (Incumbent)
• Sandy Patterson, Primedia (Incumbent)
• Curt Patterson, AMAA (Incumbent)
• Jim Vinarski, Carlisle Productions, Inc. (Incumbent)
• Mark Vogt, Classic Industries/OER

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

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

The following council members are the candidates for the HRIA Select Committee elections.There are six open seats for this year’s election. For information and how to vote, contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

HRIA Select-Committee Candidates

• Del Austin – Street Thunder magazine (Incumbent)
• Tommy Daniels – Yearwood Speed & Custom (Incumbent)
• Dick Dixon – Automotive Education Alliance, Inc.
• Mike Kinney – Las Vegas Rod & Custom
• Rick Love – Vintage Air Inc. (Incumbent)
• Bob Millard – Championship Auto Shows
• Ross Ortman – Dakota Digital Inc. – (Incumbent)
• Brian Reese – Comp Performance Group
• Eric Saltrick – Steele Rubber Products
• Janeen Webb - Primedia

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 Perricone at 909/396-0289, ext. 104, or e-mail stacip@sema.org.

To learn more about the TORA, visit www.sema.org/TORA or contact Monica Terlouw at monicat@sema.org.

Manufacturers' Representatives Council (MRC)

MRC members should mark their calendars for the following upcoming council activity:

• 2007 MRC Rep Conference
  September 26–27, 2007
  Phoenix, Arizona
  

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

Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)

• PRO members: Join your colleagues at the 15th annual PRO Project-Planning Meeting, Thursday–Friday, June 7–8, at the Crowne Plaza Detroit Metro Hotel. This is your opportunity to take a stake in your council's future by taking advantage of an agenda that includes group brainstorming sessions, breakout group discussions and action planning for future council projects. The event also includes and exclusive reception at the Henry Ford Estate, complete with a private tour of the automaker's elegant mansion. To RSVP, e-mail to Summer Wright at summerw@sema.org by May 18. For hotel and airline reservations, contact Manya at Manya.P@travelstoreusa.com or 949/930-9268.

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

Wheel & Tire Council (WTC)

• George Gillespie, Safety Compliance Engineer responsible for OVSCs tire-related standards, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), delivered a presentation at the 2006 SEMA Show regarding NHTSA's enforcement activity relative to tires for passenger vehicles and trucks. Gillespie provided overview and status of the agency's recent initiatives to increase tire safety, including compliance and enforcement actions for Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (FMVSS No. 138) and passenger and light-truck tires (FMVSS No. 139). He also discussed the current increased enforcement to address concerns related to imported tires. SEMA members can now get a copy of Gillespie's PowerPoint presentation by contacting 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.

Audiobahn promoted Doug Parks to director of marketing. Parks will be in charge of the company's marketing initiatives related to advertising, branding, shows and events, web, licensing, sponsorship, public relations and cross-promotional opportunities. Prior to this promotion, he was vice president of sales for Xsite In-Car Entertainment and directed all of Audiobahn's consumer and trade shows. In addition to Audiobahn, Parks will also oversee the marketing operations for Alphasonik, Swiss Audio, Xsite and Ichibahn.

John Moulton was appointed vice president and general manger, North American operations for Johnson Controls Automotive Experience business. Moulton has been with Robert Bosch since 1978, most recently serving as executive vice president, engineering and manufacturing, Bosch North America and general manager, diesel systems division, North America.

Accuride Corp. hired Joel Mow as vice president and general manager of its Bostrom Seating business unit. Mow most recently served as vice president and general manager, control systems division, Europe, automotive sShifter systems, cables and stamped and machined products for Dura Automotive Systems.

The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by Automobile Club of Southern California, shipped the Mickey Thompson Challenger to England for the Goodwood Festival of Speed, June 22–24. Mickey Thompson's Challenger, the first American automobile to go 400 mph will be part of a display in the festival's cricket pitch. The Challenger will be returned to the Parks Museum as the centerpiece of its land-speed racing exhibit set for Wednesday, November 7. The display will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the forming of the Southern California Timing Association.

Creative Material Technologies Ltd. President, John C. Becker IV, delivered a second presentation to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) at the organization's Regional Consultants Meeting in May. His presentation included the market conditions for the growing spray-on bedliner market sector, which is presently gaining market share 20 times faster than drop-ins; and 72% of spray-on bed liners are aftermarket installed. The numbers add to a growing health and safety concern, which, in turn, increases OSHA's attention and focus to address this health issue. For information on the OSHA Regional Consultants Meeting or the Consultancy Program, visit http://www.clearbedliner.com/news.

KICKER announced that factory training and certification are now available online for all authorized KICKER Car Audio dealers. While the new exclusive online format will serve a growing segment of authorized dealers, sales staffs, and installers, KICKER will continue its live trainings across the country.

Thule Inc. announced that Quality Magazine ranked the company fourth in its recent Quality Leadership 100 report, a ranking position that bested more than 800 companies that participated in the survey. The survey was based on criteria such as scrap and rework as a percentage of sales, warranty costs as a percentage of sales, rejected parts per million shipped and contribution of quality to profitability and shareholder value. The top 100 companies were listed in the publication's March issue.

A panel of industry experts, including Steve Frazier of Amazon.com, will look at "eMarketing 2.0" during the 2007 Aftermarket eForum, July 16-18 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago, Illinois. Frazier, vice president of U.S. Hardlines Category Management for Amazon, oversees the automotive retail group. He provided the keynote address for the 2006 eForum.

The panel discussion on eMarketing will provide attendees with expertise on how to design an eMarketing campaign that will produce a positive return on investment. The seminar will look in-depth at localized eMarketing, social network sites and bookmarking sites. The session is being facilitated by Dan Jondron of Advanced Digital Strategies and Alan Dicker of SEMA. Other panelists include Luanne Brown of eTool Developers and Gigi Ho of Digital Performance.

"Thousands of companies of all sizes are using the Internet to effectively increase sales and lower costs," commented Jondron. "Yet surveys of the aftermarket show that we are still lagging in our efforts to take advantage of what is arguably the most important technology to impact business in the past decade."

"eMarketing 2.0" is one of three concurrent seminar sessions that will be held on the first day of the eForum, Monday, July 16, from 1 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Other sessions include "Is Outsourcing for Manufacturers" and "Pursuing Excellence in Data Management."

The early-bird discount registration deadline for the 2007 Aftermarket eForum is Friday, June 1. For more information and to register, visit www.AftermarketeForum.com, or contact Barbara Clark of AAIA at 301/654-6664.

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

>> SEMA Webinar: 10 Steps to Your SEMA Show Plan That Will Guarantee ROI and Success, June 10
>> Aftermarket eForum, Hyatt Regency O'Hare, July 16–18, Chicago
>> SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, July 27, Irvine, California
>> MRC Rep Conference, September 26–27, Phoenix
>> SEMA Show, October 30–November 2, Las Vegas

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstoreusa.com) at Travel Store USA, 949/930-9268.

SEMA-members 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:

• Technical Sales/Support, Torrance, California

• COO - Chief Operating Officer, Kansas City, Missouri

• CAD Modeler, Newport Beach, California

• In-house Advertising Agent, Scottsdale/Phoenix, Arizona

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 include Positions Available, Positions Wanted, Rep Opportunities, WD Opportunities, For Sale, Items Wanted, Business Opportunities and Internships. Visit the site for details.

The market for in-vehicle global positioning systems (GPS) is growing, with sales forecasted to exceed 3.3 million units this year, according to a recent Wall Street Journal report. The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), meanwhile, says that sales of aftermarket personal navigation devices experienced triple-digit growth in 2006, with over 2.2 million new units sold.

If CEA's online survey is any indication of what 2007 sales hold, U.S. consumers could spend substantially more than that. Nearly one-quarter (24%) of online consumers are planning to purchase a GPS device within the next year, spending an average of $410, which could result in sales reaching $4.1 billion in 2007, according to the company's latest survey of online consumers.

"Navigation remains one of the fastest-growing technology products, behind maybe only LCD televisions," Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis for the consumer marketing research firm The NPD Group, told the Wall Street Journal.

GPS systems are offered as an option by automakers for many new vehicles. Navigation systems were offered in 7.3% (1,229,523) of the 2006 model-year vehicles sold in the United States, according to Ward's Auto data. But sales of portable devices will likely outnumber sales of built-in units by more than two to one in 2007, says Phil Magney, president of the Telematics Research Group. The reason? Prices have fallen on portable GPS devices-from roughly $550 in 2003 to $396 a unit last year, according to CEA-a result of reduced production cost from economies of scale. Manufacturers are now targeting a wider demographic of consumers by lowering prices.

The article further explains that an influx of new GPS systems have entered the market from many well-known brands. These include Alpine, Audiovox, Clarion, JVC, Panasonic and Sony. In addition, new units with added features-such as weather information, cell-phone Bluetooth connectivity and MP3 playback-are being introduced from established market leaders Garmin, TomTom and Magellan.

"Convergence has spread GPS across multiple product segments, resulting in greater consumer awareness and budding adoption of the technology," says Steve Koenig, CEA's senior manager of industry analysis. "The availability of new services like real-time traffic information will continue to drive this segment forward in the coming years."

Sources: Vella, Matt. (May 16, 2007). "Finding Your Way in the GPS Market." Wall Street Journal. Accessed May 22 from www.wsj.com; Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). (April 9 2007). "Consumer Demand for GPS Headed in the Right Direction, CEA Research Finds." CEA press release.