SEMA News—September 2019

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

By Stuart Gosswein

FEDERAL UPDATE

Delaware—Street Rods: Delaware Governor John Carney signed into law a bill easing the process of registering a street rod by favorably changing the existing age and equipment requirements. The new law amends the definition of street rod from a vehicle manufactured before ’70 to one 25 years old or older. The law also removes the requirement that a street rod’s tires be covered by fenders.

Tariffs—Automobiles and Auto Parts: At press time, it was still unknown whether tariffs will be imposed on imported automobiles and auto parts. The tariffs may be bargaining chips as the U.S. negotiates new trade agreements with the European Union and Japan. President Trump provided negotiators until mid-November before deciding whether to impose tariffs and, if so, on which vehicles and parts. The results of a U.S. Department of Commerce investigation have not been made public, but it is known that the report expresses concern about increases in the volume of automobile and auto-parts imports over the past three decades, along with unease about foreign markets such as the European Union and Japan that have imposed significant barriers to U.S. automotive exports.

SEMA is part of the Driving American Jobs Coalition, a group representing the entire scope of the auto industry, including OEMs, dealers, suppliers and the aftermarket. While the coalition supports the Trump administration’s efforts to create fair trade, it opposes the threatened tariffs that create continued uncertainty as businesses contend with higher production costs, lower sales and profit margins, and retaliatory actions by U.S. trading partners.

Tariffs—China: As of press time, U.S. and Chinese officials were seeking to reach agreement on trade talks that would result in lowering the U.S./China trade deficit and deterring cyber theft of intellectual property by the Chinese government and companies. The Trump Administration had imposed 25% tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese imports under three separate listings.

Lists 1 and 2 cover $50 billion worth of goods, including some miscellaneous metal, rubber and plastic parts for auto equipment. List 3 imports include many auto parts, ranging from engines and metal fasteners to tires, brake pads and suspension springs. The U.S. government is accepting exclusion requests for List 3 products until September 30, 2019.

Any exclusions granted will be retroactive to September 2018, when the duties were first enacted, and the exclusion will be good for one year. The government is still reviewing requests previously submitted for Lists 1 and 2 tariffs. If a request is granted, it will apply to all imported products within the tariff subheading, not just those from the company making the request.

E15 Gasoline: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rulemaking to allow gas stations around the country to sell E15 (gasoline that’s 15% ethanol) year-round. Previously, the EPA prohibited the sale of E15 between June 1 and September 15 due to fuel-volatility concerns that higher blends of ethanol combined with warmer temperatures may lead to increased ground-level ozone formation and smog.

It is unclear if the EPA’s rulemaking will be implemented immediately, since it will likely face court challenges. SEMA opposes an expansion of E15 sales, which the EPA is pursuing in order to achieve the Renewable Fuel Standard’s artificial mandates to blend large volumes of ethanol into gasoline sold in the United States. Ethanol, especially in higher concentrations such as E15, can cause damage to high-performance parts and vehicles manufactured prior to 2001.

Retirement Plan Legislation: The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill to expand retirement savings programs. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act represents the most comprehensive plan to modify retirement programs in more than a decade. The U.S. Senate is considering a similar bill.

The SECURE Act makes it easier for small businesses to join multiple employer plans by not requiring businesses to be affiliated. It also increases tax credits for small businesses adopting a retirement plan, permits part-time employees to enroll in 401(k) plans, increases the age when individuals must start withdrawing money from an IRA from 701/2 to 72, and protects employers offering annuities from liability if the insurance company administering the plan is not able to make payments.

While many of those provisions are favorable for small businesses and workers, SEMA is concerned by sections of the bill designed to offset the loss of revenue to the federal government, such as the amount of penalties imposed for paperwork filing errors.

Route 66 Centennial: The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed a bill to create a commission to recommend ways to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66, which was completed in 1926 as the first all-paved U.S. highway. The Route 66 Centennial Commission Act creates a 19-person board, including governors of states through which the highway passed from Illinois to California. The commission will recommend ways to celebrate the anniversary, such as through writings, films and documentaries, education programs, artistic works and commemorative memorabilia.

Oklahoma—Military Vehicles: Legislation to allow the titling of High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HUMVEE or HMMWV) failed to pass before the Oklahoma legislature adjourned for 2019. The bills defined HUMVEE as a four-wheel-drive tactical military vehicle that can carry a wide variety of military hardware. By rule, each bill is eligible to be reconsidered during next year’s legislative session.

STATE UPDATE

Michigan—Military Vehicles: Legislation was introduced in the Michigan Senate to allow for the titling and registration of historic military surplus vehicles. The bill awaits consideration in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. A similar proposal passed the Michigan legislature last year but was vetoed by then-Governor Rick Snyder.

Missouri—Historic Vehicles: Legislation to allow historic vehicles to be issued license plates without an annual mileage restriction failed to pass before Missouri’s legislature adjourned for the year. In Missouri, a historic vehicle is defined as being 25 years old or older, owned solely as a collector’s item, and used only for exhibition and educational purposes. The law currently limits such vehicles to 1,000 miles of personal driving per year and requires owners to keep a log of miles driven.

Nebraska—License Plates: Legislation to require the issuance of only a single, rear-mounted license plate for all motor vehicles failed to pass before the Nebraska legislature adjourned for 2019. The bill is eligible to be reconsidered during next year’s legislative session.

Nevada—Military Vehicles: Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak signed into law legislation that allows for the titling and registration of retired military vehicles. The new law also authorizes the design and production of a specialty plate for those vehicles. Previously, such vehicles could not be titled or registered for use on highways in the state.

Rhode Island—License Plates: Legislation in Rhode Island to allow vehicles with year-of-manufacture tags to display a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle passed the Special Legislative Committee and now awaits consideration on the House floor.

Texas—License Plates: Companion bills requiring the issuance of only a single, rear-mounted license plate for all passenger cars and light trucks failed to pass before the Texas legislature adjourned for 2019. Under current law, such vehicles must display two license plates.

SEMA News—September 2019

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

By Stuart Gosswein

FEDERAL UPDATE

Delaware—Street Rods: Delaware Governor John Carney signed into law a bill easing the process of registering a street rod by favorably changing the existing age and equipment requirements. The new law amends the definition of street rod from a vehicle manufactured before ’70 to one 25 years old or older. The law also removes the requirement that a street rod’s tires be covered by fenders.

Tariffs—Automobiles and Auto Parts: At press time, it was still unknown whether tariffs will be imposed on imported automobiles and auto parts. The tariffs may be bargaining chips as the U.S. negotiates new trade agreements with the European Union and Japan. President Trump provided negotiators until mid-November before deciding whether to impose tariffs and, if so, on which vehicles and parts. The results of a U.S. Department of Commerce investigation have not been made public, but it is known that the report expresses concern about increases in the volume of automobile and auto-parts imports over the past three decades, along with unease about foreign markets such as the European Union and Japan that have imposed significant barriers to U.S. automotive exports.

SEMA is part of the Driving American Jobs Coalition, a group representing the entire scope of the auto industry, including OEMs, dealers, suppliers and the aftermarket. While the coalition supports the Trump administration’s efforts to create fair trade, it opposes the threatened tariffs that create continued uncertainty as businesses contend with higher production costs, lower sales and profit margins, and retaliatory actions by U.S. trading partners.

Tariffs—China: As of press time, U.S. and Chinese officials were seeking to reach agreement on trade talks that would result in lowering the U.S./China trade deficit and deterring cyber theft of intellectual property by the Chinese government and companies. The Trump Administration had imposed 25% tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese imports under three separate listings.

Lists 1 and 2 cover $50 billion worth of goods, including some miscellaneous metal, rubber and plastic parts for auto equipment. List 3 imports include many auto parts, ranging from engines and metal fasteners to tires, brake pads and suspension springs. The U.S. government is accepting exclusion requests for List 3 products until September 30, 2019.

Any exclusions granted will be retroactive to September 2018, when the duties were first enacted, and the exclusion will be good for one year. The government is still reviewing requests previously submitted for Lists 1 and 2 tariffs. If a request is granted, it will apply to all imported products within the tariff subheading, not just those from the company making the request.

E15 Gasoline: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rulemaking to allow gas stations around the country to sell E15 (gasoline that’s 15% ethanol) year-round. Previously, the EPA prohibited the sale of E15 between June 1 and September 15 due to fuel-volatility concerns that higher blends of ethanol combined with warmer temperatures may lead to increased ground-level ozone formation and smog.

It is unclear if the EPA’s rulemaking will be implemented immediately, since it will likely face court challenges. SEMA opposes an expansion of E15 sales, which the EPA is pursuing in order to achieve the Renewable Fuel Standard’s artificial mandates to blend large volumes of ethanol into gasoline sold in the United States. Ethanol, especially in higher concentrations such as E15, can cause damage to high-performance parts and vehicles manufactured prior to 2001.

Retirement Plan Legislation: The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill to expand retirement savings programs. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act represents the most comprehensive plan to modify retirement programs in more than a decade. The U.S. Senate is considering a similar bill.

The SECURE Act makes it easier for small businesses to join multiple employer plans by not requiring businesses to be affiliated. It also increases tax credits for small businesses adopting a retirement plan, permits part-time employees to enroll in 401(k) plans, increases the age when individuals must start withdrawing money from an IRA from 701/2 to 72, and protects employers offering annuities from liability if the insurance company administering the plan is not able to make payments.

While many of those provisions are favorable for small businesses and workers, SEMA is concerned by sections of the bill designed to offset the loss of revenue to the federal government, such as the amount of penalties imposed for paperwork filing errors.

Route 66 Centennial: The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed a bill to create a commission to recommend ways to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66, which was completed in 1926 as the first all-paved U.S. highway. The Route 66 Centennial Commission Act creates a 19-person board, including governors of states through which the highway passed from Illinois to California. The commission will recommend ways to celebrate the anniversary, such as through writings, films and documentaries, education programs, artistic works and commemorative memorabilia.

Oklahoma—Military Vehicles: Legislation to allow the titling of High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HUMVEE or HMMWV) failed to pass before the Oklahoma legislature adjourned for 2019. The bills defined HUMVEE as a four-wheel-drive tactical military vehicle that can carry a wide variety of military hardware. By rule, each bill is eligible to be reconsidered during next year’s legislative session.

STATE UPDATE

Michigan—Military Vehicles: Legislation was introduced in the Michigan Senate to allow for the titling and registration of historic military surplus vehicles. The bill awaits consideration in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. A similar proposal passed the Michigan legislature last year but was vetoed by then-Governor Rick Snyder.

Missouri—Historic Vehicles: Legislation to allow historic vehicles to be issued license plates without an annual mileage restriction failed to pass before Missouri’s legislature adjourned for the year. In Missouri, a historic vehicle is defined as being 25 years old or older, owned solely as a collector’s item, and used only for exhibition and educational purposes. The law currently limits such vehicles to 1,000 miles of personal driving per year and requires owners to keep a log of miles driven.

Nebraska—License Plates: Legislation to require the issuance of only a single, rear-mounted license plate for all motor vehicles failed to pass before the Nebraska legislature adjourned for 2019. The bill is eligible to be reconsidered during next year’s legislative session.

Nevada—Military Vehicles: Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak signed into law legislation that allows for the titling and registration of retired military vehicles. The new law also authorizes the design and production of a specialty plate for those vehicles. Previously, such vehicles could not be titled or registered for use on highways in the state.

Rhode Island—License Plates: Legislation in Rhode Island to allow vehicles with year-of-manufacture tags to display a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle passed the Special Legislative Committee and now awaits consideration on the House floor.

Texas—License Plates: Companion bills requiring the issuance of only a single, rear-mounted license plate for all passenger cars and light trucks failed to pass before the Texas legislature adjourned for 2019. Under current law, such vehicles must display two license plates.

SEMA News—September 2019

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

By Stuart Gosswein

FEDERAL UPDATE

Delaware—Street Rods: Delaware Governor John Carney signed into law a bill easing the process of registering a street rod by favorably changing the existing age and equipment requirements. The new law amends the definition of street rod from a vehicle manufactured before ’70 to one 25 years old or older. The law also removes the requirement that a street rod’s tires be covered by fenders.

Tariffs—Automobiles and Auto Parts: At press time, it was still unknown whether tariffs will be imposed on imported automobiles and auto parts. The tariffs may be bargaining chips as the U.S. negotiates new trade agreements with the European Union and Japan. President Trump provided negotiators until mid-November before deciding whether to impose tariffs and, if so, on which vehicles and parts. The results of a U.S. Department of Commerce investigation have not been made public, but it is known that the report expresses concern about increases in the volume of automobile and auto-parts imports over the past three decades, along with unease about foreign markets such as the European Union and Japan that have imposed significant barriers to U.S. automotive exports.

SEMA is part of the Driving American Jobs Coalition, a group representing the entire scope of the auto industry, including OEMs, dealers, suppliers and the aftermarket. While the coalition supports the Trump administration’s efforts to create fair trade, it opposes the threatened tariffs that create continued uncertainty as businesses contend with higher production costs, lower sales and profit margins, and retaliatory actions by U.S. trading partners.

Tariffs—China: As of press time, U.S. and Chinese officials were seeking to reach agreement on trade talks that would result in lowering the U.S./China trade deficit and deterring cyber theft of intellectual property by the Chinese government and companies. The Trump Administration had imposed 25% tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese imports under three separate listings.

Lists 1 and 2 cover $50 billion worth of goods, including some miscellaneous metal, rubber and plastic parts for auto equipment. List 3 imports include many auto parts, ranging from engines and metal fasteners to tires, brake pads and suspension springs. The U.S. government is accepting exclusion requests for List 3 products until September 30, 2019.

Any exclusions granted will be retroactive to September 2018, when the duties were first enacted, and the exclusion will be good for one year. The government is still reviewing requests previously submitted for Lists 1 and 2 tariffs. If a request is granted, it will apply to all imported products within the tariff subheading, not just those from the company making the request.

E15 Gasoline: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rulemaking to allow gas stations around the country to sell E15 (gasoline that’s 15% ethanol) year-round. Previously, the EPA prohibited the sale of E15 between June 1 and September 15 due to fuel-volatility concerns that higher blends of ethanol combined with warmer temperatures may lead to increased ground-level ozone formation and smog.

It is unclear if the EPA’s rulemaking will be implemented immediately, since it will likely face court challenges. SEMA opposes an expansion of E15 sales, which the EPA is pursuing in order to achieve the Renewable Fuel Standard’s artificial mandates to blend large volumes of ethanol into gasoline sold in the United States. Ethanol, especially in higher concentrations such as E15, can cause damage to high-performance parts and vehicles manufactured prior to 2001.

Retirement Plan Legislation: The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill to expand retirement savings programs. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act represents the most comprehensive plan to modify retirement programs in more than a decade. The U.S. Senate is considering a similar bill.

The SECURE Act makes it easier for small businesses to join multiple employer plans by not requiring businesses to be affiliated. It also increases tax credits for small businesses adopting a retirement plan, permits part-time employees to enroll in 401(k) plans, increases the age when individuals must start withdrawing money from an IRA from 701/2 to 72, and protects employers offering annuities from liability if the insurance company administering the plan is not able to make payments.

While many of those provisions are favorable for small businesses and workers, SEMA is concerned by sections of the bill designed to offset the loss of revenue to the federal government, such as the amount of penalties imposed for paperwork filing errors.

Route 66 Centennial: The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed a bill to create a commission to recommend ways to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66, which was completed in 1926 as the first all-paved U.S. highway. The Route 66 Centennial Commission Act creates a 19-person board, including governors of states through which the highway passed from Illinois to California. The commission will recommend ways to celebrate the anniversary, such as through writings, films and documentaries, education programs, artistic works and commemorative memorabilia.

Oklahoma—Military Vehicles: Legislation to allow the titling of High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HUMVEE or HMMWV) failed to pass before the Oklahoma legislature adjourned for 2019. The bills defined HUMVEE as a four-wheel-drive tactical military vehicle that can carry a wide variety of military hardware. By rule, each bill is eligible to be reconsidered during next year’s legislative session.

STATE UPDATE

Michigan—Military Vehicles: Legislation was introduced in the Michigan Senate to allow for the titling and registration of historic military surplus vehicles. The bill awaits consideration in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. A similar proposal passed the Michigan legislature last year but was vetoed by then-Governor Rick Snyder.

Missouri—Historic Vehicles: Legislation to allow historic vehicles to be issued license plates without an annual mileage restriction failed to pass before Missouri’s legislature adjourned for the year. In Missouri, a historic vehicle is defined as being 25 years old or older, owned solely as a collector’s item, and used only for exhibition and educational purposes. The law currently limits such vehicles to 1,000 miles of personal driving per year and requires owners to keep a log of miles driven.

Nebraska—License Plates: Legislation to require the issuance of only a single, rear-mounted license plate for all motor vehicles failed to pass before the Nebraska legislature adjourned for 2019. The bill is eligible to be reconsidered during next year’s legislative session.

Nevada—Military Vehicles: Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak signed into law legislation that allows for the titling and registration of retired military vehicles. The new law also authorizes the design and production of a specialty plate for those vehicles. Previously, such vehicles could not be titled or registered for use on highways in the state.

Rhode Island—License Plates: Legislation in Rhode Island to allow vehicles with year-of-manufacture tags to display a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle passed the Special Legislative Committee and now awaits consideration on the House floor.

Texas—License Plates: Companion bills requiring the issuance of only a single, rear-mounted license plate for all passenger cars and light trucks failed to pass before the Texas legislature adjourned for 2019. Under current law, such vehicles must display two license plates.

SEMA News—September 2019

EVENTS

By Mike Imlay

Buyers: Explore These Early SEMA Show Leads

More Than 250 First-Time Exhibitors Now Registered!

Discovering new products and business contacts is a key buyer aim at the SEMA Show. This list of first-time exhibitors is the ideal starting point.

If you’re a buyer destined for the 2019 SEMA Show, now is the time to strategize a successful Show itinerary. First-time exhibitors are of particular interest because they bring never-before-seen products and services to the Show. As of June, more than 250 first-time exhibitors were already on the floorplan, and that data is offered here so you can get busy preparing a list of leads well before your Las Vegas arrival. Seasoned buyers will tell you that this is one of the best ways to hit the ground running and take full advantage of an active Show week.

The following list is organized by Show category for easy research. Note that many new exhibitors are clustered in the Show’s expansion areas—the Performance Pavilion, the Racing Annex, the Upper South Hall or the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino—so you’ll especially want to target those areas. While these listings are accurate as of press time, the full, up-to-date exhibitor roster that resides online at www.SEMAShow.com/floorplan will always provide the most current status for all exhibitors.

Now is also the time to secure Show credentials and book hotel rooms. Registration is open at www.SEMAShow.com/register. Approved domestic buyers who register online prior to October 12 will pay the lowest price of $40 and will have their badges mailed to them before the Show, thus avoiding lines onsite. Meanwhile, hotel deals can be found at www.SEMAShow.com/travel, courtesy of OnPeak, the SEMA Show’s official housing partner.

List as of 7/8/19

Business Services

Acumatica
www.pcbennett.com
Booth #31240

APA Engineering
www.apaengineering.com
Booth #32226

Bay-masteR Shop Management
www.bay-master.com
Booth #51309

BFM Group
www.bfmgroupinc.com
Booth #33321

Family Business USA
www.familybusinessusa.com
Booth #50402

Kornerstone Credit
www.kornerstonecredit.com
Booth #33245

Lands’ End Business
https://business.landsend.com
Booth #51130

RENA By Neopost
www.renausa.com
Booth #34303

Shanghai Bobang Signage Co. Ltd.
www.bobangsignage.com
Booth #38238

Shopmonkey.io
www.shopmonkey.io
Booth #31227

Son of a Fink Kustoms
www.sonofafink.com
Booth #51001

Surf & Turf Instant Shelters Inc.
www.gosurfturf.com
Booth #31333

Uber for Business
www.uber.com
Booth #50130

Ware2Go
www.ware2go.co
Booth #31335

Weave
www.getweave.com
Booth #51202

Collision Repair & Refinish

BAOSTC
www.baostc.com
Booth #50633

EMM Specialties N.A.
www.emm.com
Booth #50126

Herkules Truck System
www.herkules-sc.pl
Booth #50401

Jiujiang Lida Technology Co. Ltd.
www.lidapetfilm.com
Booth #32273

Johns 360 Coatings
www.johns360coatings.com
Booth #50201

Karshall Industry Co. Ltd.
www.karshall.com
Booth #16624

Kristal Coatings Netherlands
www.kristalcoatings.nl
Booth #50400

Meiji Air Compressor
www.meijiair.co.jp/en
Booth #50803

Mobile Tech RX
www.mobiletechrx.com
Booth #50227

Polimax Eskim
www.polimaxeskim.com
Booth #50731

PREPitX
www.prepitx.net
Booth #38245

RockOz
www.rockoz.com
Booth #50200

SB3 Coatings
www.sb3coating.com
Booth #71011

Spray Booth Services
www.sprayboothservices.net
Booth #50503

Static Solutions
www.prostatdc.com
Booth #50622

Summit Industrial Group Ltd.
www.summitindusgroup.com
Booth #51311

Superpads
www.cztaiyu.com
Booth #50426

Whirlwind Tools Co. Ltd.
www.whirlwindtools.com
Booth #33336

Zibo Riken MT Coated Abrasives Co. Ltd.
en.rikenmt.com
Booth #51200

Global Tire Expo—Powered by TIA

Bush Specialty Vehicles
www.bushspecialtyvehicles.com
Booth #44298

Fitment Group
www.fitmentgroup.com
Booth #42332

4JET Technologies GmbH
www.4jet.de/en
Booth #44322

Knight Tyre
www.knightyres.com
Booth #42325

Land Golden Tires
www.landgolden.com
Booth #44305

QingDao Hengda Tyres Co. Ltd.
www.hengdatyre.com
Booth #41329

Shandong Taishan Tyre Co. Ltd.
www.taishantyre.com
Booth #51328

Shandong Wideway Tire Co. Ltd.
www.widewaytire.com
Booth #42318

Sichuan Yuanxing Rubber Co. Ltd.
www.cn-yuanxing.com.cn
Booth #42315

TMA International Tyres
www.tmatyres.com
Booth #40336

TRAC Tire Rotation Assistance Cart
www.liftwithtrac.com
Booth #43336

Triton Valves
www.tritonvalves.com
Booth #40122

US Tire Outlet Inc.
www.ustireoutlet.com
Booth #42314

More than 250 first-time exhibitors have already found a place on the 2019 SEMA Show floorplan, promising a Show packed with fresh opportunities for buyers.

Hot Rod Alley

Hearn Automotive Re-Design
Booth #50707

MotorEx/Summernats
www.motorex.com.au
Booth #51124

Rapid Hot Rods
www.rapidhotrods.com
Booth #38203

Mobile Electronics & Technology

American Bass USA
www.americanbassusa.com
Booth #50231

CTK Ltd.
www.ctk.world
Booth #50732

Guangzhou KingEagle Auto Parts Co. Ltd.
www.ke-car.com
Booth #50428

GU Auto Tech Inc.
www.guautotech.com
Booth #32338

Haining Huagao Import & Export Co. Ltd.
www.icedriver.net
Booth #34345

J&M Corp.
www.jmcorp.com
Booth #51333

Moorechip Technologies Co. Ltd.
www.facebook.com/pg/moorechipVala
Booth #32321

Promata
www.promata.com.au
Booth #34337

Revo Range
www.arirobot.com
Booth #51129

Shenzhen Cartizan Technology Co. Ltd.
www.icartizan.com
Booth #51232

Shenzhen Maustor Science & Technology Co. Ltd.
www.maustor.com
Booth #50107

Shenzhen Proinno Technology Co. Ltd.
www.pro-ele.com
Booth #33329

Shenzhen Windrunner Technology Co. Ltd.
www.szwindrunner.com
Booth #50800

Shenzhen Wins Novelty Technology Co. Ltd.
www.wins-novelty.com
Booth #50430

TFVC (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
www.tfvcsh.com
Booth #34328

VAIS Technology
www.vaistech.com
Booth #31315

Powersports & Utility Vehicles

Accelerated Systems Inc.
www.accelerated-systems.com
Booth #38007

ACCEL Technology Corp.
www.accel123.com.tw
Booth #36003

Fribest Industry Group Co. Ltd.
www.chinamotorcyclepart.com
Booth #36027

Full Spectrum Power
www.fullspectrumpower.com
Booth #38031

High Desert Motorsports
www.highdesertmotorsports.com
Booth #38034

Jiangsu FMOL Machinery Technology Co. Ltd.
www.fmolmachinery.com
Booth #36025

Nikola Motor Co.
www.nikolamotor.com
Booth #36005

RBO
www.razorbackoffroad.com
Booth #37003

Servis Tyres-Pakistan
www.servistyres.com
Booth #37031

TrailMaster/BV Powersports
www.gopowersports.com
Booth #37008

TYCA Technologies
www.tycatech.com
Booth #38030

Racing & Performance

bFlash by BCConsulting
www.bcconsulting.lu
Booth #22728

Cam Motion Inc.
www.cammotion.com
Booth #72000

ChampCar Endurance Series
www.champcar.org
Booth #51228

Fiveomotorsport
www.fiveomotorsport.com
Booth #50106

GAB Suspension
www.gabsuspension.com
Booth #51029

GXP Performance
www.gxpperformance.com
Booth #51307

IDI Motor Sports USA
www.idijp.com
Booth #50025

Integrated Engineering
www.performancebyie.com
Booth #32335

Keep It Klean
https://keep-it-klean.net
Booth #35345

KPI Performance
www.kingperformanceparts.com
Booth #51303

Marco Italy/Mate USA
www.marco.it
Booth #71005

Meizhou Kamlung Auto Parts Co. Ltd.
www.kamlungint.com
Booth #33331

Modern Driveline
www.moderndriveline.com
Booth #50323

Namyang Nexmo Co. Ltd.
www.nynexmo.com
Booth #51226

Neotech Suspension & Brakes
www.neosus.co.kr
Booth #50129

Ningbo Aegeus Exhaust System Co. Ltd.
www.aegeusexhaust.com
Booth #50900

Noble Industries Inc. & Madsen Wire Products
www.nobleindustries.com
Booth #50931

OBD Solutions LLC
www.obdsol.com
Booth #34314

Power Plus Lubricants
www.powerpluslubricants.com
Booth #44301

PRAZIS Auto Parts Inc.
www.prazis-airsus.com
Booth #34300

Promaxx Performance Products
www.promaxxperformance.com
Booth #34312

Racingline
www.racingline.com
Booth #50205

Raemco Red Wood Co. Inc.
www.redwood.com.tw
Booth #50206

REDSTAR Exhaust
www.redstarexhaust.com
Booth #50432

Remark Inc.
www.remark-usa.com
Booth #72011

RUSH Auto Works Inc.
www.rushautoworks.com
Booth #30345

SF Racing Co. Ltd.
www.sf-racing.com
Booth #34335

Shandong Stopart Brake Materials Co. Ltd.
www.stopartcn.com
Booth #30318

Sullivan Performance Products
www.sullivanperformance.com
Booth #72002

TPI Arcade Inc.
www.tpicast.com
Booth #50528

Turnkey Industries
www.tkind.com
Booth #61020

XING Mobility
www.xingmobility.com
Booth #50904

Restoration Marketplace

Retro-Fit USA
www.spiralindustries.com
Booth #50628

Turbostart
www.turbostart.com
Booth #73009

Restyling & Car Care Accessories

AeroCatch
www.aerocatch.com
Booth #50329

The Bracketeer
www.thebracketeer.com
Booth #71000

Changzhou Wenye Auto Lamp Co. Ltd.
www.wyautolamp.com
Booth #51426

Changzhou Yizhao Auto Exterior Parts Co. Ltd.
www.autotuning-china.com
Booth #51325

Conergies Laminating & Coating
www.onerpro.com.cn
Booth #38231

Cynosura International Co. Ltd.
www.j2e-auto.com
Booth #30344

DefenderN
www.defendern.com
Booth #51222

DeOdorPro
www.clo2deliverysystems.com
Booth #50124

EAS40-1000 Rollover Inlet Check Valve Fuel Tank Repair
www.ellisautomationsurplus.com
Booth #33319

Eclipse Sunshades
www.eclipsesunshades.net
Booth #51204

Element 119
www.element119.com
Booth #50105

Flamingo Car Care Tech Co. Ltd.
www.flamingocarcare.com
Booth #48233

Guangdong Carbonss Tuning Co. Ltd.
www.carbonss.com
Booth #74005

Guangzhou Joesong New Materials Technology Co. Ltd.
www.gzjoesong.com
Booth #34344

Guangzhou Wanlong Automotive Products Co. Ltd.
www.wl-auto.com
Booth #35344

Guangzhou Yagai Trade Co. Ltd.
www.dcrtuning.com
Booth #48227

Hyperformance Glass Products LLC
www.hyperformanceglassproducts.com
Booth #30289

I.M Technology Co. Ltd.
www.twim.com.tw
Booth #34292

Koch-Chemie
www.koch-chemie.de/en
Booth #32317

KOLCHUGA
www.kolchuga-group.com
Booth #50730

Legendz Carbon Auto Parts LLC
www.legendzcarbon.com
Booth #32332

MFR Engineering Inc.
www.mfrengineering.com
Booth #40296

Moso Natural
www.mosonatural.com
Booth #50404

NuVinAir Global
www.nuvinair.com
Booth #51301

Olein Refinery & Lubricants
www.oleinrefinery.com
Booth #50406

Padxpress
www.padxpress.fr
Booth #34331

REV Auto
www.rev-automotive.com
Booth #32322

Rhino Films & Detailing
www.rhinowash.net
Booth #34339

Rustkote Corrosion Prevention
www.rustkote.com
Booth #31323

Sam’s Detailing
www.samsdetailing.co.uk
Booth #33317

SeatbeltPlanet.com
www.seatbeltplanet.com
Booth #50326

Shanghai Sepna Chemical Technology Co. Ltd.
www.sepna.cc
Booth #50301

Shenzhen i-Like Fine Chemical Co. Ltd.
www.ilikegroup.com
Booth #48229

Sideways Fab
www.sidewaysfab.com
Booth #50304

SLIPLO Universal Skid Plates
www.sliplo.com
Booth #70011

Three Hundred
www.threehundred.jp
Booth #30299

3W Auto Accessory
www.3wliners.com
Booth #32325

TUXMAT The Ulitmate Car Mat
www.tuxmat.ca
Booth #33316

Waxedshine
www.waxedshine.com
Booth #51206

Zhejiang Purple Light Technology Co. Ltd.
www.uv400.cn
Booth #33345

Tools & Equipment

Airworks Compressors Corp.
www.airworkscompressors.com
Booth #51133

Alltrade Tools
www.alltradetools.com
Booth #51107

American Sweeping
www.firmhorn.com
Booth #50902

Auto-Grip
www.autogrip.com
Booth #51331

Bengbu City Wanglin Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
Booth #38233

The Cut N Go
www.thecutngo.com
Booth #32336

Dalian Newstar Automobile Equipment Co. Ltd.
www.nsttool.com
Booth #34346

Dedeco International Inc.
www.dedeco.com
Booth #44336

DJ Products
www.djproducts.com
Booth #51101

Easy Kleen Pressure Systems Ltd.
www.easykleen.com
Booth #31344

Eco-Plug-System LLC
www.ecoplugsystem.com
Booth #51003

FactoryCat Industrial Cleaning Equipment
www.factorycat.com
Booth #50601

Forecast 3D
www.forecast3d.com
Booth #50925

Fumoto USA
www.fumotousa.com
Booth #34308

GD CARE Inc.
www.gdcareinc.com
Booth #50626

GEDORE Tools Inc.
www.gedoretools.com
Booth #15007

Hangzhou Scantech Co. Ltd.
www.3d-scantech.com
Booth #33325

Hangzhou Xunchi Tools Co. Ltd.
https://xunchigongju.1688.com
Booth #34310

Harbor Freight Tools
www.harborfreight.com
Booth #15307

IDUTEX Technology Co. Ltd.
www.idutex.com
Booth #43323

International Surface Technologies
www.istsurface.com
Booth #34313

Lanair
www.lanair.com
Booth #51128

MAKEiT Inc.
www.makeit-3d.com
Booth #31337

MatterHackers Inc.
www.matterhackers.com
Booth #51332

Midwest Innovative Products
www.twistandseal.com
Booth #33339

Milton Industries
www.miltonindustries.com
Booth #50405

Milwaukee Tool
www.milwaukeetool.com
Booth #30319

Mosmatic Corp.
www.mosmatic.com
Booth #42324

Next Generation Power
www.nextgenerationpower.com
Booth #50202

No-Spill Systems Inc.
www.nospillsystems.com
Booth #34316

NuVant Systems Inc.
www.nuvant.com
Booth #32331

PEM Inc.
www.pemequip.com
Booth #30307

PipeKnife
www.PipeKnife.com
Booth #50532

Plastica Panaro Srl
www.plasticapanaro.it
Booth #50805

Powertac USA Inc.
www.powertac.com
Booth #50802

Qingdao PLR Electric Co. Ltd.
www.plrcn.com
Booth #50801

SGCB Autocare
www.sgcbautocare.com
Booth #51205

Shenzhen Hong Xuntong Electronic Technology Co. Ltd.
www.onsu-cable.com
Booth #34332

Soartec Industrial Corp.
www.soartec.com.tw
Booth #51402

SpliSeal
www.spliseal.com
Booth #50530

SP Tools USA
www.sptools-usa.com
Booth #10176

SPXFLOW Stone Hydraulics Powerteam Hydraulics
www.spxhydraulictech.com
Booth #51233

TeraPump
www.terapump.net
Booth #50303

Thexton Manufacturing Co. Inc.
www.thexton.com
Booth #42322

Top One Machinery Co. Ltd.
www.topone-m.com
Booth #35336

Triumph Twist Drill
www.triumphtwistdrill.com
Booth #50631

Tsugami/Rem Sales
www.remsales.com
Booth #50726

Vessel Tools
www.vesseltoolsusa.com
Booth #50700

Wiha Tools
www.wihatools.com
Booth #41305

Wright CNC
www.wrightcnc.com
Booth #50007

Yamada America
www.yamadapump.com
Booth #16424

Zünd
www.zund.com
Booth #50823

Trucks, SUVs & Off-Road

Airbag Man
www.airbagman.com.au
Booth #31339

ALL-TOP 4X4
www.alltop4x4.com
Booth #31341

Alpha Rex
www.alpharexusa.com
Booth #30267

Anhui Aggeus Auto-tech Co. Ltd.
www.woden.net.cn
Booth #30312

Bedder Covers
www.beddercovers.com
Booth #34289

EVO Manufacturing
www.evomfg.com
Booth #33277

Flat Out Autos
www.flatoutautos.com
Booth #32303

FlexTread
www.flextreadmats.com
Booth #35324

FOA
www.f-o-a.com
Booth #32345

Foshan Nanhai Hengyun Auto Accessory Co. Ltd.
www.everluck4x4.en.alibaba.com
Booth #38241

Foshan Shanshan Electric & Technology Co. Ltd.
www.fs-shanshan.com
Booth #51327

GEORGE4X4 Recovery Gear
www.george4x4.com.au
Booth #38248

Gladiator Cargo Nets
www.gladiatorcargonet.com
Booth #38201

Guangzhou Chiming Electronic Technology Co. Ltd.
https://cmled.en.china.cn
Booth #38222

Guangzhou Nic-light Electronic Products Co. Ltd.
www.nic-light.com
Booth #38237

Hollywood Accessories
https://davesautoacc.com
Booth #33340

MAG-BAR
www.magbar.com
Booth #38229

Malone Auto Racks
www.maloneautoracks.com
Booth #37227

MAXIMUS-3
www.maximus-3.com
Booth #30292

MENABO
www.menaboamerica.com
Booth #35284

Multy Rack Systems
www.multyrack.com
Booth #32309

Ningbo Goldy International
https://goldy.en.alibaba.com
Booth #32320

Ningbo Leise Outdoor Products Co. Ltd.
www.monster4wd.com
Booth #33283

Ningbo Salman International Trade Co. Ltd.
www.nbsalman.com
Booth #38227

Northern Lite Truck Campers/Off Grid Trailers
www.northern-lite.com
Booth #30275

Overland Vehicle Systems LLC
www.overlandvehiclesystems.com
Booth #30283

Paramount Impex
www.paramount-india.com
Booth #33338

Rapid Switch Systems
www.rapidswitchsystems.com
Booth #34319

Reliable Engineered Products LLC
www.beunruli.com
Booth #51404

Rocbilt Industries
www.rocbilt.com
Booth #35312

RockJock 4x4 by John Currie
www.currieenterprises.com
Booth #34285

Rotopax
www.rotopax.com
Booth #30313

RSI SmartCap
www.rsismartcanopy.com
Booth #30327

Shenzhen New Way Technology Co. Ltd.
www.newway-s.com
Booth #51132

Sunpie Technology Ltd. Co.
www.sunpie.co
Booth #34325

Supreme Suspensions
www.supremesuspensions.com
Booth #38219

TRE 4X4
www.tre4x4.com
Booth #51103

UBOX Offroad
www.ubox-offroad.com
Booth #32339

Wenling Haifeng Differential Gear Co. Ltd.
www.off-road.net.cn
Booth #50533

Wheels & Accessories

Chiping Xinfa Aluminous Product Co. Ltd.
www.xinfawheels.com
Booth #47239

4PLAY Wheels
www.4playwheels.com
Booth #47211

Impact Wheels
www.impactwheels.com
Booth #48133

Kompression Wheels
www.kompressionwheels.com
Booth #48193

New Light Wheel Engineering & Technology Co. Ltd.
www.jastoowheel.com/en/index.asp
Booth #45298

Ningbo Sanlishin Auto Parts Co. Ltd.
https://sanlishin.en.ecplaza.net
Booth #34330

Shanghai Jihoo Import & Export Co. Ltd.
www.jihoosh.com
Booth #48187

Simbolo X Design
www.simbolox.design
Booth #47221

STREN
www.stren-composites.com
Booth #44314

3D Billet Products
www.3dbilletproducts.com
Booth #49235

Wheel-eez/Cork Industries
www.removesugly.com
Booth #44337

Zhongnan Aluminum Wheel (Guangdong) Co. Ltd.
www.znlwheel.com
Booth #44328

SEMA News—September 2019

EVENTS

By Mike Imlay

Buyers: Explore These Early SEMA Show Leads

More Than 250 First-Time Exhibitors Now Registered!

Discovering new products and business contacts is a key buyer aim at the SEMA Show. This list of first-time exhibitors is the ideal starting point.

If you’re a buyer destined for the 2019 SEMA Show, now is the time to strategize a successful Show itinerary. First-time exhibitors are of particular interest because they bring never-before-seen products and services to the Show. As of June, more than 250 first-time exhibitors were already on the floorplan, and that data is offered here so you can get busy preparing a list of leads well before your Las Vegas arrival. Seasoned buyers will tell you that this is one of the best ways to hit the ground running and take full advantage of an active Show week.

The following list is organized by Show category for easy research. Note that many new exhibitors are clustered in the Show’s expansion areas—the Performance Pavilion, the Racing Annex, the Upper South Hall or the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino—so you’ll especially want to target those areas. While these listings are accurate as of press time, the full, up-to-date exhibitor roster that resides online at www.SEMAShow.com/floorplan will always provide the most current status for all exhibitors.

Now is also the time to secure Show credentials and book hotel rooms. Registration is open at www.SEMAShow.com/register. Approved domestic buyers who register online prior to October 12 will pay the lowest price of $40 and will have their badges mailed to them before the Show, thus avoiding lines onsite. Meanwhile, hotel deals can be found at www.SEMAShow.com/travel, courtesy of OnPeak, the SEMA Show’s official housing partner.

List as of 7/8/19

Business Services

Acumatica
www.pcbennett.com
Booth #31240

APA Engineering
www.apaengineering.com
Booth #32226

Bay-masteR Shop Management
www.bay-master.com
Booth #51309

BFM Group
www.bfmgroupinc.com
Booth #33321

Family Business USA
www.familybusinessusa.com
Booth #50402

Kornerstone Credit
www.kornerstonecredit.com
Booth #33245

Lands’ End Business
https://business.landsend.com
Booth #51130

RENA By Neopost
www.renausa.com
Booth #34303

Shanghai Bobang Signage Co. Ltd.
www.bobangsignage.com
Booth #38238

Shopmonkey.io
www.shopmonkey.io
Booth #31227

Son of a Fink Kustoms
www.sonofafink.com
Booth #51001

Surf & Turf Instant Shelters Inc.
www.gosurfturf.com
Booth #31333

Uber for Business
www.uber.com
Booth #50130

Ware2Go
www.ware2go.co
Booth #31335

Weave
www.getweave.com
Booth #51202

Collision Repair & Refinish

BAOSTC
www.baostc.com
Booth #50633

EMM Specialties N.A.
www.emm.com
Booth #50126

Herkules Truck System
www.herkules-sc.pl
Booth #50401

Jiujiang Lida Technology Co. Ltd.
www.lidapetfilm.com
Booth #32273

Johns 360 Coatings
www.johns360coatings.com
Booth #50201

Karshall Industry Co. Ltd.
www.karshall.com
Booth #16624

Kristal Coatings Netherlands
www.kristalcoatings.nl
Booth #50400

Meiji Air Compressor
www.meijiair.co.jp/en
Booth #50803

Mobile Tech RX
www.mobiletechrx.com
Booth #50227

Polimax Eskim
www.polimaxeskim.com
Booth #50731

PREPitX
www.prepitx.net
Booth #38245

RockOz
www.rockoz.com
Booth #50200

SB3 Coatings
www.sb3coating.com
Booth #71011

Spray Booth Services
www.sprayboothservices.net
Booth #50503

Static Solutions
www.prostatdc.com
Booth #50622

Summit Industrial Group Ltd.
www.summitindusgroup.com
Booth #51311

Superpads
www.cztaiyu.com
Booth #50426

Whirlwind Tools Co. Ltd.
www.whirlwindtools.com
Booth #33336

Zibo Riken MT Coated Abrasives Co. Ltd.
en.rikenmt.com
Booth #51200

Global Tire Expo—Powered by TIA

Bush Specialty Vehicles
www.bushspecialtyvehicles.com
Booth #44298

Fitment Group
www.fitmentgroup.com
Booth #42332

4JET Technologies GmbH
www.4jet.de/en
Booth #44322

Knight Tyre
www.knightyres.com
Booth #42325

Land Golden Tires
www.landgolden.com
Booth #44305

QingDao Hengda Tyres Co. Ltd.
www.hengdatyre.com
Booth #41329

Shandong Taishan Tyre Co. Ltd.
www.taishantyre.com
Booth #51328

Shandong Wideway Tire Co. Ltd.
www.widewaytire.com
Booth #42318

Sichuan Yuanxing Rubber Co. Ltd.
www.cn-yuanxing.com.cn
Booth #42315

TMA International Tyres
www.tmatyres.com
Booth #40336

TRAC Tire Rotation Assistance Cart
www.liftwithtrac.com
Booth #43336

Triton Valves
www.tritonvalves.com
Booth #40122

US Tire Outlet Inc.
www.ustireoutlet.com
Booth #42314

More than 250 first-time exhibitors have already found a place on the 2019 SEMA Show floorplan, promising a Show packed with fresh opportunities for buyers.

Hot Rod Alley

Hearn Automotive Re-Design
Booth #50707

MotorEx/Summernats
www.motorex.com.au
Booth #51124

Rapid Hot Rods
www.rapidhotrods.com
Booth #38203

Mobile Electronics & Technology

American Bass USA
www.americanbassusa.com
Booth #50231

CTK Ltd.
www.ctk.world
Booth #50732

Guangzhou KingEagle Auto Parts Co. Ltd.
www.ke-car.com
Booth #50428

GU Auto Tech Inc.
www.guautotech.com
Booth #32338

Haining Huagao Import & Export Co. Ltd.
www.icedriver.net
Booth #34345

J&M Corp.
www.jmcorp.com
Booth #51333

Moorechip Technologies Co. Ltd.
www.facebook.com/pg/moorechipVala
Booth #32321

Promata
www.promata.com.au
Booth #34337

Revo Range
www.arirobot.com
Booth #51129

Shenzhen Cartizan Technology Co. Ltd.
www.icartizan.com
Booth #51232

Shenzhen Maustor Science & Technology Co. Ltd.
www.maustor.com
Booth #50107

Shenzhen Proinno Technology Co. Ltd.
www.pro-ele.com
Booth #33329

Shenzhen Windrunner Technology Co. Ltd.
www.szwindrunner.com
Booth #50800

Shenzhen Wins Novelty Technology Co. Ltd.
www.wins-novelty.com
Booth #50430

TFVC (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
www.tfvcsh.com
Booth #34328

VAIS Technology
www.vaistech.com
Booth #31315

Powersports & Utility Vehicles

Accelerated Systems Inc.
www.accelerated-systems.com
Booth #38007

ACCEL Technology Corp.
www.accel123.com.tw
Booth #36003

Fribest Industry Group Co. Ltd.
www.chinamotorcyclepart.com
Booth #36027

Full Spectrum Power
www.fullspectrumpower.com
Booth #38031

High Desert Motorsports
www.highdesertmotorsports.com
Booth #38034

Jiangsu FMOL Machinery Technology Co. Ltd.
www.fmolmachinery.com
Booth #36025

Nikola Motor Co.
www.nikolamotor.com
Booth #36005

RBO
www.razorbackoffroad.com
Booth #37003

Servis Tyres-Pakistan
www.servistyres.com
Booth #37031

TrailMaster/BV Powersports
www.gopowersports.com
Booth #37008

TYCA Technologies
www.tycatech.com
Booth #38030

Racing & Performance

bFlash by BCConsulting
www.bcconsulting.lu
Booth #22728

Cam Motion Inc.
www.cammotion.com
Booth #72000

ChampCar Endurance Series
www.champcar.org
Booth #51228

Fiveomotorsport
www.fiveomotorsport.com
Booth #50106

GAB Suspension
www.gabsuspension.com
Booth #51029

GXP Performance
www.gxpperformance.com
Booth #51307

IDI Motor Sports USA
www.idijp.com
Booth #50025

Integrated Engineering
www.performancebyie.com
Booth #32335

Keep It Klean
https://keep-it-klean.net
Booth #35345

KPI Performance
www.kingperformanceparts.com
Booth #51303

Marco Italy/Mate USA
www.marco.it
Booth #71005

Meizhou Kamlung Auto Parts Co. Ltd.
www.kamlungint.com
Booth #33331

Modern Driveline
www.moderndriveline.com
Booth #50323

Namyang Nexmo Co. Ltd.
www.nynexmo.com
Booth #51226

Neotech Suspension & Brakes
www.neosus.co.kr
Booth #50129

Ningbo Aegeus Exhaust System Co. Ltd.
www.aegeusexhaust.com
Booth #50900

Noble Industries Inc. & Madsen Wire Products
www.nobleindustries.com
Booth #50931

OBD Solutions LLC
www.obdsol.com
Booth #34314

Power Plus Lubricants
www.powerpluslubricants.com
Booth #44301

PRAZIS Auto Parts Inc.
www.prazis-airsus.com
Booth #34300

Promaxx Performance Products
www.promaxxperformance.com
Booth #34312

Racingline
www.racingline.com
Booth #50205

Raemco Red Wood Co. Inc.
www.redwood.com.tw
Booth #50206

REDSTAR Exhaust
www.redstarexhaust.com
Booth #50432

Remark Inc.
www.remark-usa.com
Booth #72011

RUSH Auto Works Inc.
www.rushautoworks.com
Booth #30345

SF Racing Co. Ltd.
www.sf-racing.com
Booth #34335

Shandong Stopart Brake Materials Co. Ltd.
www.stopartcn.com
Booth #30318

Sullivan Performance Products
www.sullivanperformance.com
Booth #72002

TPI Arcade Inc.
www.tpicast.com
Booth #50528

Turnkey Industries
www.tkind.com
Booth #61020

XING Mobility
www.xingmobility.com
Booth #50904

Restoration Marketplace

Retro-Fit USA
www.spiralindustries.com
Booth #50628

Turbostart
www.turbostart.com
Booth #73009

Restyling & Car Care Accessories

AeroCatch
www.aerocatch.com
Booth #50329

The Bracketeer
www.thebracketeer.com
Booth #71000

Changzhou Wenye Auto Lamp Co. Ltd.
www.wyautolamp.com
Booth #51426

Changzhou Yizhao Auto Exterior Parts Co. Ltd.
www.autotuning-china.com
Booth #51325

Conergies Laminating & Coating
www.onerpro.com.cn
Booth #38231

Cynosura International Co. Ltd.
www.j2e-auto.com
Booth #30344

DefenderN
www.defendern.com
Booth #51222

DeOdorPro
www.clo2deliverysystems.com
Booth #50124

EAS40-1000 Rollover Inlet Check Valve Fuel Tank Repair
www.ellisautomationsurplus.com
Booth #33319

Eclipse Sunshades
www.eclipsesunshades.net
Booth #51204

Element 119
www.element119.com
Booth #50105

Flamingo Car Care Tech Co. Ltd.
www.flamingocarcare.com
Booth #48233

Guangdong Carbonss Tuning Co. Ltd.
www.carbonss.com
Booth #74005

Guangzhou Joesong New Materials Technology Co. Ltd.
www.gzjoesong.com
Booth #34344

Guangzhou Wanlong Automotive Products Co. Ltd.
www.wl-auto.com
Booth #35344

Guangzhou Yagai Trade Co. Ltd.
www.dcrtuning.com
Booth #48227

Hyperformance Glass Products LLC
www.hyperformanceglassproducts.com
Booth #30289

I.M Technology Co. Ltd.
www.twim.com.tw
Booth #34292

Koch-Chemie
www.koch-chemie.de/en
Booth #32317

KOLCHUGA
www.kolchuga-group.com
Booth #50730

Legendz Carbon Auto Parts LLC
www.legendzcarbon.com
Booth #32332

MFR Engineering Inc.
www.mfrengineering.com
Booth #40296

Moso Natural
www.mosonatural.com
Booth #50404

NuVinAir Global
www.nuvinair.com
Booth #51301

Olein Refinery & Lubricants
www.oleinrefinery.com
Booth #50406

Padxpress
www.padxpress.fr
Booth #34331

REV Auto
www.rev-automotive.com
Booth #32322

Rhino Films & Detailing
www.rhinowash.net
Booth #34339

Rustkote Corrosion Prevention
www.rustkote.com
Booth #31323

Sam’s Detailing
www.samsdetailing.co.uk
Booth #33317

SeatbeltPlanet.com
www.seatbeltplanet.com
Booth #50326

Shanghai Sepna Chemical Technology Co. Ltd.
www.sepna.cc
Booth #50301

Shenzhen i-Like Fine Chemical Co. Ltd.
www.ilikegroup.com
Booth #48229

Sideways Fab
www.sidewaysfab.com
Booth #50304

SLIPLO Universal Skid Plates
www.sliplo.com
Booth #70011

Three Hundred
www.threehundred.jp
Booth #30299

3W Auto Accessory
www.3wliners.com
Booth #32325

TUXMAT The Ulitmate Car Mat
www.tuxmat.ca
Booth #33316

Waxedshine
www.waxedshine.com
Booth #51206

Zhejiang Purple Light Technology Co. Ltd.
www.uv400.cn
Booth #33345

Tools & Equipment

Airworks Compressors Corp.
www.airworkscompressors.com
Booth #51133

Alltrade Tools
www.alltradetools.com
Booth #51107

American Sweeping
www.firmhorn.com
Booth #50902

Auto-Grip
www.autogrip.com
Booth #51331

Bengbu City Wanglin Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
Booth #38233

The Cut N Go
www.thecutngo.com
Booth #32336

Dalian Newstar Automobile Equipment Co. Ltd.
www.nsttool.com
Booth #34346

Dedeco International Inc.
www.dedeco.com
Booth #44336

DJ Products
www.djproducts.com
Booth #51101

Easy Kleen Pressure Systems Ltd.
www.easykleen.com
Booth #31344

Eco-Plug-System LLC
www.ecoplugsystem.com
Booth #51003

FactoryCat Industrial Cleaning Equipment
www.factorycat.com
Booth #50601

Forecast 3D
www.forecast3d.com
Booth #50925

Fumoto USA
www.fumotousa.com
Booth #34308

GD CARE Inc.
www.gdcareinc.com
Booth #50626

GEDORE Tools Inc.
www.gedoretools.com
Booth #15007

Hangzhou Scantech Co. Ltd.
www.3d-scantech.com
Booth #33325

Hangzhou Xunchi Tools Co. Ltd.
https://xunchigongju.1688.com
Booth #34310

Harbor Freight Tools
www.harborfreight.com
Booth #15307

IDUTEX Technology Co. Ltd.
www.idutex.com
Booth #43323

International Surface Technologies
www.istsurface.com
Booth #34313

Lanair
www.lanair.com
Booth #51128

MAKEiT Inc.
www.makeit-3d.com
Booth #31337

MatterHackers Inc.
www.matterhackers.com
Booth #51332

Midwest Innovative Products
www.twistandseal.com
Booth #33339

Milton Industries
www.miltonindustries.com
Booth #50405

Milwaukee Tool
www.milwaukeetool.com
Booth #30319

Mosmatic Corp.
www.mosmatic.com
Booth #42324

Next Generation Power
www.nextgenerationpower.com
Booth #50202

No-Spill Systems Inc.
www.nospillsystems.com
Booth #34316

NuVant Systems Inc.
www.nuvant.com
Booth #32331

PEM Inc.
www.pemequip.com
Booth #30307

PipeKnife
www.PipeKnife.com
Booth #50532

Plastica Panaro Srl
www.plasticapanaro.it
Booth #50805

Powertac USA Inc.
www.powertac.com
Booth #50802

Qingdao PLR Electric Co. Ltd.
www.plrcn.com
Booth #50801

SGCB Autocare
www.sgcbautocare.com
Booth #51205

Shenzhen Hong Xuntong Electronic Technology Co. Ltd.
www.onsu-cable.com
Booth #34332

Soartec Industrial Corp.
www.soartec.com.tw
Booth #51402

SpliSeal
www.spliseal.com
Booth #50530

SP Tools USA
www.sptools-usa.com
Booth #10176

SPXFLOW Stone Hydraulics Powerteam Hydraulics
www.spxhydraulictech.com
Booth #51233

TeraPump
www.terapump.net
Booth #50303

Thexton Manufacturing Co. Inc.
www.thexton.com
Booth #42322

Top One Machinery Co. Ltd.
www.topone-m.com
Booth #35336

Triumph Twist Drill
www.triumphtwistdrill.com
Booth #50631

Tsugami/Rem Sales
www.remsales.com
Booth #50726

Vessel Tools
www.vesseltoolsusa.com
Booth #50700

Wiha Tools
www.wihatools.com
Booth #41305

Wright CNC
www.wrightcnc.com
Booth #50007

Yamada America
www.yamadapump.com
Booth #16424

Zünd
www.zund.com
Booth #50823

Trucks, SUVs & Off-Road

Airbag Man
www.airbagman.com.au
Booth #31339

ALL-TOP 4X4
www.alltop4x4.com
Booth #31341

Alpha Rex
www.alpharexusa.com
Booth #30267

Anhui Aggeus Auto-tech Co. Ltd.
www.woden.net.cn
Booth #30312

Bedder Covers
www.beddercovers.com
Booth #34289

EVO Manufacturing
www.evomfg.com
Booth #33277

Flat Out Autos
www.flatoutautos.com
Booth #32303

FlexTread
www.flextreadmats.com
Booth #35324

FOA
www.f-o-a.com
Booth #32345

Foshan Nanhai Hengyun Auto Accessory Co. Ltd.
www.everluck4x4.en.alibaba.com
Booth #38241

Foshan Shanshan Electric & Technology Co. Ltd.
www.fs-shanshan.com
Booth #51327

GEORGE4X4 Recovery Gear
www.george4x4.com.au
Booth #38248

Gladiator Cargo Nets
www.gladiatorcargonet.com
Booth #38201

Guangzhou Chiming Electronic Technology Co. Ltd.
https://cmled.en.china.cn
Booth #38222

Guangzhou Nic-light Electronic Products Co. Ltd.
www.nic-light.com
Booth #38237

Hollywood Accessories
https://davesautoacc.com
Booth #33340

MAG-BAR
www.magbar.com
Booth #38229

Malone Auto Racks
www.maloneautoracks.com
Booth #37227

MAXIMUS-3
www.maximus-3.com
Booth #30292

MENABO
www.menaboamerica.com
Booth #35284

Multy Rack Systems
www.multyrack.com
Booth #32309

Ningbo Goldy International
https://goldy.en.alibaba.com
Booth #32320

Ningbo Leise Outdoor Products Co. Ltd.
www.monster4wd.com
Booth #33283

Ningbo Salman International Trade Co. Ltd.
www.nbsalman.com
Booth #38227

Northern Lite Truck Campers/Off Grid Trailers
www.northern-lite.com
Booth #30275

Overland Vehicle Systems LLC
www.overlandvehiclesystems.com
Booth #30283

Paramount Impex
www.paramount-india.com
Booth #33338

Rapid Switch Systems
www.rapidswitchsystems.com
Booth #34319

Reliable Engineered Products LLC
www.beunruli.com
Booth #51404

Rocbilt Industries
www.rocbilt.com
Booth #35312

RockJock 4x4 by John Currie
www.currieenterprises.com
Booth #34285

Rotopax
www.rotopax.com
Booth #30313

RSI SmartCap
www.rsismartcanopy.com
Booth #30327

Shenzhen New Way Technology Co. Ltd.
www.newway-s.com
Booth #51132

Sunpie Technology Ltd. Co.
www.sunpie.co
Booth #34325

Supreme Suspensions
www.supremesuspensions.com
Booth #38219

TRE 4X4
www.tre4x4.com
Booth #51103

UBOX Offroad
www.ubox-offroad.com
Booth #32339

Wenling Haifeng Differential Gear Co. Ltd.
www.off-road.net.cn
Booth #50533

Wheels & Accessories

Chiping Xinfa Aluminous Product Co. Ltd.
www.xinfawheels.com
Booth #47239

4PLAY Wheels
www.4playwheels.com
Booth #47211

Impact Wheels
www.impactwheels.com
Booth #48133

Kompression Wheels
www.kompressionwheels.com
Booth #48193

New Light Wheel Engineering & Technology Co. Ltd.
www.jastoowheel.com/en/index.asp
Booth #45298

Ningbo Sanlishin Auto Parts Co. Ltd.
https://sanlishin.en.ecplaza.net
Booth #34330

Shanghai Jihoo Import & Export Co. Ltd.
www.jihoosh.com
Booth #48187

Simbolo X Design
www.simbolox.design
Booth #47221

STREN
www.stren-composites.com
Booth #44314

3D Billet Products
www.3dbilletproducts.com
Booth #49235

Wheel-eez/Cork Industries
www.removesugly.com
Booth #44337

Zhongnan Aluminum Wheel (Guangdong) Co. Ltd.
www.znlwheel.com
Booth #44328

SEMA News—September 2019

RETAIL SPOTLIGHT

By Chad Simon

SuperATV

Turning on the “Wow” Factor to Elevate the Customer-Service Experience

SuperATV had a strong showing at this year’s Rally on the Rocks in Moab, Utah.

Harold Hunt, owner of SuperATV in Madison, Indiana, is a motorsports enthusiast, and he instills that same passion in the people he hires. They aren’t just clerks; they go out on the weekends and ride so that they can come back to the shop and relate their product knowledge and experience to customers.

We spoke with Josh South, SuperATV’s director of marketing and technology, to get his take on how the company became successful in the marketplace.

SEMA News: Who is your target market and demographic?

Josh South: Our target demographic is an enthusiast market—the guys who are going out on weekends, riding through the creeks and mudholes—but we serve every aspect of the UTV market, which includes racing teams, the average Joe who owns a farm and owns a Ranger, and the guy who’s out every weekend and wants a jacked-up machine. Our customers range in age from 24 to 50.

SN: Is the UTV market more recreational or vocational?

JS: At this time, it’s more recreational, but we’re seeing more individuals using them for vocational usage as time goes on because the machines are getting more powerful and versatile.

SN: How has the business grown over the years?

SuperATV attends enthusiast events to mix with their customers and understand their product needs.

JS: Business has exploded due to more people starting to use these machines. They want to take them higher in performance and lift, with new tires, doors and windshields. They really want to accessorize them like cars now more than anything.

SN: What’s been the toughest challenge you’ve faced?

JS: Making sure we get the products out to the customer as soon as the new models become available. For example, the Honda Talon was recently released. We get the machine when it’s available at the dealership. It’s kind of a chicken-and-egg thing going on. We have to wait until the machine gets there before we can develop the products. We sell just about any aftermarket accessory you can think of for UTVs.

SN: What has been one of your most rewarding successes, and what risks has the company taken along the way?

JS: Being able to be first to the market with some of the products. We produced one of the first windshields that was available for purchase for the Honda Talon. Another one is our GDP Portal line. It’s revolutionizing the industry. We are the name when it comes to gear reduction, and being able to provide that service and that product to the customer has been rewarding for us.

With R&D and testing, we push the curve with our products, and the Portals are a perfect example of that. We took a chance with our axle lines and some of our new-product development, and the risk we have taken with that is that the market will adapt and want those products.

SN: What draws customers to your store? Do you get repeat business?

JS: The factor that drives customers to our store is that we want to make sure our products are affordable while at the same time being the highest-quality available. We’ve invested in R&D and testing to make sure we get high-quality products at affordable prices for our customers.

Josh South, SuperATV’s director of marketing and technology, attributes the company’s success to the fact that the company’s owner, Harold Hunt, is an enthusiast, and he and his employees personally test the products they develop.

SN: What factors do you attribute your success to?

JS: The primary factor is that our owners are enthusiasts. Friday afternoons, they go jump on the machines and test the products that we’re developing, making sure we’re getting the best product out to our customers, because they don’t want our customers to ride it if we’re not going to ride it.

Secondly, our goal is to “wow” the customer every single day. For example, we have 30 people providing phone support to our customers every day. We have fitment experts to make sure the products fit our machines.

SN: How do you market the company?

JS: We are heavy into social media, email marketing, magazines, trade shows and race-team sponsorships. We take advantage of anywhere we can get out so that our customers can see us.

SN: How do you train staff to best serve the company?

JS: We have product experts—guys who know the machines backward and forward—and we do installation training with them. We’re tearing down machines and doing installations so that the people answering the phones actually have hands-on experience in servicing the machines.

SN: What portion of your overall sales comes from online?

JS: Online sales represent the majority of our sales. We get very few walk-ins because of our location. We are in the Midwest, and we ship product all over the world. We are a global company. Our products really fit to the mold of e-commerce and online shopping. Most of our products are small enough that they can be easily shipped, and I think the demographic of this market has that hands-on experience of wanting to install the products on their machines. It’s easy when you can go online, find your product, have it shipped and, within two to three days, it’s sitting on your porch.

SN: What are your plans for future growth?

JS: We are opening a new retail and shipping storefront later this year in Shreveport, Louisiana. At our current location in Madison, Indiana, we have customer pickup available. One of our focuses on Shreveport is that it’s going to be a retail space to try to provide product to the people in the southern half of the country that really have adapted to our products, and they can come and pick them up.

SN: What advice would you offer a retailer starting out in the market?

JS: It’s about knowing your customer, and that’s where SuperATV has succeeded. This company started because the owner, Harold Hunt, was riding in the back creeks of Indiana and wanted to get an extra lift on the Sportsman ATV he was riding. He built a lift kit for it, and soon after, his buddies wanted one, and his buddies’ buddies wanted one, and that’s what grew this business. These guys really know the customers, the market, and what the customers want on their machines to get optimal performance.

SEMA News—September 2019

HERITAGE

By Drew Hardin

Monster Family

Photo Courtesy Jim Brown, Petersen Publishing Company Archive

SEMA News—September 2019

Max Your ROI at This Year’s SEMA Show

Chris Kersting

Preparations for the 2019 SEMA Show are in full swing, and staff just delivered our annual Exhibitor Summit—a two-day info-fest to help new AND seasoned exhibitors learn how to capture maximum value from the SEMA Show. How do we know what makes up a successful Show strategy? You give us the answers—through post-Show surveys completed annually by thousands of SEMA Show buyers and exhibitors. These surveys help us stay current with the objectives of buyers and sellers, identifying trends and seeing where buyers and exhibitors are aligned—and sometimes misaligned. Below are some top examples where exhibiting manufacturers may be missing the mark—and how to get on target.

Myth: “We don’t sell at the SEMA Show.”

Fact: That may be true for some exhibitors, but many buyers are interested. More than 40% of buyers tell us they placed an order from an exhibitor while at the Show. Of those buyers, 88% told us they took advantage of special sales or discounts offered during the Show. The takeaway is that many buyers do come to the Show looking to buy, and exhibitors can benefit by making known Show discounts programs that will secure an order if the opportunity is there.

Myth: “The interested buyers will find my booth…”

Fact: Actually, it’s clear that just buying a booth and waiting for the right people to come by is not the best way to maximize ROI. Year after year, buyers report they visit booths based on similar factors. First, contacting buyers in advance of the Show can be highly productive, whether via email, social media or other marketing methods. Of those buyers who reported receiving contact from exhibitors prior to the Show, more than 80% were more likely to visit some or all of those exhibitors’ booths. Second, a large percentage say that they were influenced to visit an exhibitor based on a product display in the New Product Showcase, which is consistently the number-one buyer destination at the SEMA Show. And while it’s true that buyers do browse sections of the Show, buyers report that product displays and demonstrations, booth design, and promotional activities, such as celebrity signings—in that order—are reasons why they stop and talk. Interestingly, the size and location of a booth are the least important factors prompting buyers to visit.

Myth: “I can’t take advantage of the New Product Showcase because I’m not introducing a new product this year.”

Fact: The New Product Showcase, the top Show destination for more than 80% of buyers, also has space for “featured products,” which are displayed in the same location. A featured product may not meet the criteria for the “new” product competition, but may very well be new to buyers, and be of interest to those expanding the scope of their business. Like the New Product Showcase, cost is minimal and the first product is free.

In short, the successful exhibitor gives buyers what they are looking for. That would include a booth that prioritizes display of products, and placement of products in the New Product Showcase to make products more visible. The successful exhibitor also markets to buyers before the Show, offers incentives to buyers who are prepared to close deals on the spot, and also collects leads to follow up after the Show. These factors were consistent no matter the size of the company or the size or location of the booth. This year’s SEMA Show promises to be another great opportunity for sales and growth for the industry. And that’s especially true for those exhibitors who don’t let “myths” hold them back.

SEMA News—September 2019

BUSINESS

Automotive Specialty-Equipment Sales Climb to a New High of $44.6 Billion

By Chad Simon

Specialty-equipment parts sales hit a new high in 2018 of $44.6 billion. Sales are projected to reach nearly $46 billion in 2019.

The automotive specialty-equipment market kept humming along to the tune of $44.6 billion in total parts sales in 2018—a 4% increase over 2017, according to the just-released “2019 SEMA Market Report.” Rumors continue to circulate that young people have disengaged from the automotive aftermarket hobby, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Young customizers spent more than $7 billion on parts.

The economy started to experience some volatility last year, and more of the same is expected into 2019. As of now, however, consumer sentiment is still strong, and people are still spending. Slower growth is forecasted through 2019, with projected retail sales to hit a new high of nearly
$46 billion.

“There is still a lot of uncertainty,” noted Kyle Cheng, SEMA market research manager. “Our market tends to be discretionary, so disruptions such as trade wars could dampen our growth projections, but the industry is still positive and market signs are still good as of now.”

Non-enthusiasts make up 55% of the total specialty-equipment market.

A Non-Enthusiast Majority

It’s important to note that enthusiasts are not the majority of accessorizors; they make up 45% of consumers. A slight majority are non-enthusiasts who purchase less-glamorous parts such as wheels and tires, which SEMA Market Research Director Gavin Knapp refers to as the “gateway drug.” Consumers often start there because those products make an obvious visual difference and sometimes lead to other modifications as consumers catch the bug.

“Or maybe they’ll do wheels and tires and nothing else,” Cheng said. “They want other people to do the work for them. However, enthusiasts tend to spend the most money on parts and do the more extensive modifications.”

Some people are motivated by appearance, so they may be into external accessorization, while others are into traditional under-the-hood performance.

Pickups Remain Industry’s Driver

The automotive specialty-equipment market is splintered into several different vehicle segments, with pickups once again making up the largest share at 27%. Product growth varies by segment, but off-road tires, exterior utility items and suspension systems are the most profitable with pickups.

“Pickups are the perfect vehicle for us,” Knapp said. “You can do anything from lifting to appearance and functional stuff. It will be interesting to see whether consumers will behave like car buyers or truck buyers as OEMs create fewer sedans and move their resources toward CUVs and SUVs, and whether they will look for performance parts or accessorize for fun and utility.”

Ford has announced plans to stop production of many of its passenger cars, but with the average lifespan of a vehicle at about 10 years, it will take that long for the change to trickle into the market. Due to high gas prices and a shift toward smaller engines, consumers want power, but they want fuel efficiency, too, which is partially why CUVs are more popular.

“People like power, but they don’t want to pay for it,” Cheng said. “You don’t find a lot of V8s now; instead, you find a lot of turbocharged V6s.”

Nearly 60% of specialty-equipment parts are purchased at physical locations vs. 40% purchased online.

The Emergence of ADAS

Although the industry is witnessing an extended growth period across the board since the last recession, one area that has experienced the slowest growth is the mobile-electronics segment, which has remained stagnant during the past few years at just over $1 billion. However, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are relatively new to the market over the past couple years and continue to grow as more products become available.

“ADAS is a new market for us to track, so there’s not a lot of history to determine trends,” Knapp said. “People are still trying to figure out where the opportunities are. With ADAS, the products that are available to consumers as retrofit are simplistic, such as backup cameras. As retrofit, we don’t have the same options as the OEMs.”

Pickups comprise 27% of the vehicle market.

Online vs. Retail Sales

While the digital marketplace continues to grow, brick-and-mortar sales (59%) still outpace online sales (41%). This year’s report contains information across the different parts types about how consumers order and pick up.

“You can go into a store and have parts sent to you or order online and have them sent to you, but we’re seeing a good chunk of people who order online and go pick the parts up,” Knapp said. “It varies based on product category, and shipping has something to do with that. There are also differences in products that you would want immediately. You could buy oil online and wait for it, but if you’re changing your oil, you’re probably going to want to do it now, so you would go into the store and pick it up.”

Sales-channel preferences depend on how easy it is to do the work yourself and the degree of difficulty in finding products. For instance, parts for classic cars and engine upgrades tend to be easier to find online.

Age and ability or comfort level within the hobby are also factors in buying behavior. Older consumers are more used to going to the store for purchases, while those with the most ability tend to purchase more online because they don’t need the reassurance of talking to a salesperson and are less likely to need someone to install parts for them. Hardcore consumers can make up their owns minds, do their research online and have parts shipped
to them.

About 41% of total accessorizors ordered parts in-store and picked them up themselves.

Youth Engagement

The SEMA market research team recently completed the “SEMA Young Accessorizors Report”—a study on the buying behaviors of young people in the industry—and data from the “2019 SEMA Market Report” backs up what they found. The highest accessorization rate is among young consumers, and it slows as they get older.

“Younger people are the most important piece of our industry,” Knapp said. “About a third of our industry is under 30 years old. There is always the perception that young people don’t have any money; however, they have time and desire, so they will spend all the money they have on what they desire.”

Younger consumers are more likely to spend money on extensive and complicated procedures, such as under-the-hood modifications. For them, it’s more about showing off on social media.

“Part of that is ‘Look what I got, look what I can do,’ and they post everything on social media,” Knapp said. “The big takeaway is that we don’t find that young people are deserting our industry. People say that this generation is all about personalization. Why think that someone is going to personalize their phone, which you’re not going to see because it’s in their pocket, but they’re not going to personalize the car that they drive on the road
every day?”

About 79% of consumers who bought chemicals were do-it-yourselfers, while 67% of those who purchased wheels and tires had them professionally installed.

Reaction to Gas Prices

Although gas prices have increased recently, it is not affecting consumer behavior much. Consumers are still projected to purchase larger cars with supercharged and turbocharged engines; however, high gas prices over an extended period might push manufacturers to build smaller engines that are both more powerful and more fuel efficient.

“As we see these little spikes and fluctuations, there doesn’t seem to be a big consumer reaction to it or that it’s going to be an ongoing problem,” Knapp said. “There is a trend toward smaller engines with forced induction, not necessarily in response to higher gas prices but in response to higher expectations of
fuel economy.”

The Bottom Line

“2019 SEMA Market Report” Fast Facts

In 2018, the automotive specialty-equipment market hit a new high of $44.6 billion in total parts sales. Sales are projected to increase to nearly $46 billion in 2019. Young consumers poured $7 billion into the industry in 2018. Non-enthusiasts make up 55% of the total market. Pickups once again make up the largest vehicle segment with a 27% market share. About 60% of specialty-equipment parts are sold in stores vs. 40% online.

Despite an unpredictable economy, the automotive specialty-equipment industry is still going strong, according to Cheng, and most experts don’t foresee a recession for at least another year. People are still cautiously optimistic. Just last May, the index for consumer sentiment topped 100 for only the fifth time since 2010, and the job market is at full employment.

“We are in the longest growth period since the last recession,” Cheng said. “There’s a lot of uncertainty and uncertainty causes panic, but panic doesn’t always lead to a recession. No one knows when the next one will happen; it won’t be as bad as in 2008 and 2009, but recessions are a natural part of our economic growth.”

Although the economy is still robust, Cheng cautions that one bad policy—for instance, ongoing trade wars—could derail the industry because it is so reliant on the global supply chain that any disruption could be detrimental. Tariffs are not helping either because fear has actually driven the price of steel up.

Looking ahead, Knapp projects continued but slowed growth for the industry, partially due to a slowed growth rate in new-vehicle sales.

“OEMs are still selling vehicles at historic levels; they’re just not growing those levels year after year,” Knapp said. “That impacts us because people start to accessorize as soon as they buy a new vehicle. With tariffs, the big question will be if the input prices of steel and aluminum push prices of our industry’s parts up. Will manufacturers internalize higher costs or push them directly out to the consumer?”

The “2019 SEMA Market Report” is free and a benefit of SEMA membership. Along with a host of other free industry reports, it can be found at www.sema.org/market-research. The SEMA market research team is available to help the industry directly. If you have any specific questions, contact SEMA Market Research Manager Matt Kennedy at mattk@sema.org or 909-978-6730.

Where Does the Data Come From?

For nearly 30 years, SEMA has produced its annual market report with the goal of helping membership understand the size and shape of the automotive specialty-equipment market, look for trends over time, and hone in on particular market subsectors. The data comes from a variety of sources. The main market-sizing estimates that comprise the bulk of the study are based on a large-scale consumer survey that is sent to a representative population of drivers across the United States. SEMA surveys more than 20,000 people to find out what kinds of vehicles they own, what they do with them, whether they buy specialty parts and accessories, where they buy them, how much they pay, etc. SEMA market research dives deep into forecasting in terms of expected future trends based on the “SEMA Future Trends Report.” The market research team also produces a monthly “SEMA Industry Indicators report,” which provides government information about how the economy is doing. A snapshot of the SEMA Show’s attendance and what sections are hot helps provide the industry’s pulse. Finally, SEMA highlights data from industry professionals about what they think about the state of the industry and whether they feel optimistic about the future.

SEMA News—September 2019

BUSINESS

Automotive Specialty-Equipment Sales Climb to a New High of $44.6 Billion

By Chad Simon

Specialty-equipment parts sales hit a new high in 2018 of $44.6 billion. Sales are projected to reach nearly $46 billion in 2019.

The automotive specialty-equipment market kept humming along to the tune of $44.6 billion in total parts sales in 2018—a 4% increase over 2017, according to the just-released “2019 SEMA Market Report.” Rumors continue to circulate that young people have disengaged from the automotive aftermarket hobby, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Young customizers spent more than $7 billion on parts.

The economy started to experience some volatility last year, and more of the same is expected into 2019. As of now, however, consumer sentiment is still strong, and people are still spending. Slower growth is forecasted through 2019, with projected retail sales to hit a new high of nearly
$46 billion.

“There is still a lot of uncertainty,” noted Kyle Cheng, SEMA market research manager. “Our market tends to be discretionary, so disruptions such as trade wars could dampen our growth projections, but the industry is still positive and market signs are still good as of now.”

Non-enthusiasts make up 55% of the total specialty-equipment market.

A Non-Enthusiast Majority

It’s important to note that enthusiasts are not the majority of accessorizors; they make up 45% of consumers. A slight majority are non-enthusiasts who purchase less-glamorous parts such as wheels and tires, which SEMA Market Research Director Gavin Knapp refers to as the “gateway drug.” Consumers often start there because those products make an obvious visual difference and sometimes lead to other modifications as consumers catch the bug.

“Or maybe they’ll do wheels and tires and nothing else,” Cheng said. “They want other people to do the work for them. However, enthusiasts tend to spend the most money on parts and do the more extensive modifications.”

Some people are motivated by appearance, so they may be into external accessorization, while others are into traditional under-the-hood performance.

Pickups Remain Industry’s Driver

The automotive specialty-equipment market is splintered into several different vehicle segments, with pickups once again making up the largest share at 27%. Product growth varies by segment, but off-road tires, exterior utility items and suspension systems are the most profitable with pickups.

“Pickups are the perfect vehicle for us,” Knapp said. “You can do anything from lifting to appearance and functional stuff. It will be interesting to see whether consumers will behave like car buyers or truck buyers as OEMs create fewer sedans and move their resources toward CUVs and SUVs, and whether they will look for performance parts or accessorize for fun and utility.”

Ford has announced plans to stop production of many of its passenger cars, but with the average lifespan of a vehicle at about 10 years, it will take that long for the change to trickle into the market. Due to high gas prices and a shift toward smaller engines, consumers want power, but they want fuel efficiency, too, which is partially why CUVs are more popular.

“People like power, but they don’t want to pay for it,” Cheng said. “You don’t find a lot of V8s now; instead, you find a lot of turbocharged V6s.”

Nearly 60% of specialty-equipment parts are purchased at physical locations vs. 40% purchased online.

The Emergence of ADAS

Although the industry is witnessing an extended growth period across the board since the last recession, one area that has experienced the slowest growth is the mobile-electronics segment, which has remained stagnant during the past few years at just over $1 billion. However, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are relatively new to the market over the past couple years and continue to grow as more products become available.

“ADAS is a new market for us to track, so there’s not a lot of history to determine trends,” Knapp said. “People are still trying to figure out where the opportunities are. With ADAS, the products that are available to consumers as retrofit are simplistic, such as backup cameras. As retrofit, we don’t have the same options as the OEMs.”

Pickups comprise 27% of the vehicle market.

Online vs. Retail Sales

While the digital marketplace continues to grow, brick-and-mortar sales (59%) still outpace online sales (41%). This year’s report contains information across the different parts types about how consumers order and pick up.

“You can go into a store and have parts sent to you or order online and have them sent to you, but we’re seeing a good chunk of people who order online and go pick the parts up,” Knapp said. “It varies based on product category, and shipping has something to do with that. There are also differences in products that you would want immediately. You could buy oil online and wait for it, but if you’re changing your oil, you’re probably going to want to do it now, so you would go into the store and pick it up.”

Sales-channel preferences depend on how easy it is to do the work yourself and the degree of difficulty in finding products. For instance, parts for classic cars and engine upgrades tend to be easier to find online.

Age and ability or comfort level within the hobby are also factors in buying behavior. Older consumers are more used to going to the store for purchases, while those with the most ability tend to purchase more online because they don’t need the reassurance of talking to a salesperson and are less likely to need someone to install parts for them. Hardcore consumers can make up their owns minds, do their research online and have parts shipped
to them.

About 41% of total accessorizors ordered parts in-store and picked them up themselves.

Youth Engagement

The SEMA market research team recently completed the “SEMA Young Accessorizors Report”—a study on the buying behaviors of young people in the industry—and data from the “2019 SEMA Market Report” backs up what they found. The highest accessorization rate is among young consumers, and it slows as they get older.

“Younger people are the most important piece of our industry,” Knapp said. “About a third of our industry is under 30 years old. There is always the perception that young people don’t have any money; however, they have time and desire, so they will spend all the money they have on what they desire.”

Younger consumers are more likely to spend money on extensive and complicated procedures, such as under-the-hood modifications. For them, it’s more about showing off on social media.

“Part of that is ‘Look what I got, look what I can do,’ and they post everything on social media,” Knapp said. “The big takeaway is that we don’t find that young people are deserting our industry. People say that this generation is all about personalization. Why think that someone is going to personalize their phone, which you’re not going to see because it’s in their pocket, but they’re not going to personalize the car that they drive on the road
every day?”

About 79% of consumers who bought chemicals were do-it-yourselfers, while 67% of those who purchased wheels and tires had them professionally installed.

Reaction to Gas Prices

Although gas prices have increased recently, it is not affecting consumer behavior much. Consumers are still projected to purchase larger cars with supercharged and turbocharged engines; however, high gas prices over an extended period might push manufacturers to build smaller engines that are both more powerful and more fuel efficient.

“As we see these little spikes and fluctuations, there doesn’t seem to be a big consumer reaction to it or that it’s going to be an ongoing problem,” Knapp said. “There is a trend toward smaller engines with forced induction, not necessarily in response to higher gas prices but in response to higher expectations of
fuel economy.”

The Bottom Line

“2019 SEMA Market Report” Fast Facts

In 2018, the automotive specialty-equipment market hit a new high of $44.6 billion in total parts sales. Sales are projected to increase to nearly $46 billion in 2019. Young consumers poured $7 billion into the industry in 2018. Non-enthusiasts make up 55% of the total market. Pickups once again make up the largest vehicle segment with a 27% market share. About 60% of specialty-equipment parts are sold in stores vs. 40% online.

Despite an unpredictable economy, the automotive specialty-equipment industry is still going strong, according to Cheng, and most experts don’t foresee a recession for at least another year. People are still cautiously optimistic. Just last May, the index for consumer sentiment topped 100 for only the fifth time since 2010, and the job market is at full employment.

“We are in the longest growth period since the last recession,” Cheng said. “There’s a lot of uncertainty and uncertainty causes panic, but panic doesn’t always lead to a recession. No one knows when the next one will happen; it won’t be as bad as in 2008 and 2009, but recessions are a natural part of our economic growth.”

Although the economy is still robust, Cheng cautions that one bad policy—for instance, ongoing trade wars—could derail the industry because it is so reliant on the global supply chain that any disruption could be detrimental. Tariffs are not helping either because fear has actually driven the price of steel up.

Looking ahead, Knapp projects continued but slowed growth for the industry, partially due to a slowed growth rate in new-vehicle sales.

“OEMs are still selling vehicles at historic levels; they’re just not growing those levels year after year,” Knapp said. “That impacts us because people start to accessorize as soon as they buy a new vehicle. With tariffs, the big question will be if the input prices of steel and aluminum push prices of our industry’s parts up. Will manufacturers internalize higher costs or push them directly out to the consumer?”

The “2019 SEMA Market Report” is free and a benefit of SEMA membership. Along with a host of other free industry reports, it can be found at www.sema.org/market-research. The SEMA market research team is available to help the industry directly. If you have any specific questions, contact SEMA Market Research Manager Matt Kennedy at mattk@sema.org or 909-978-6730.

Where Does the Data Come From?

For nearly 30 years, SEMA has produced its annual market report with the goal of helping membership understand the size and shape of the automotive specialty-equipment market, look for trends over time, and hone in on particular market subsectors. The data comes from a variety of sources. The main market-sizing estimates that comprise the bulk of the study are based on a large-scale consumer survey that is sent to a representative population of drivers across the United States. SEMA surveys more than 20,000 people to find out what kinds of vehicles they own, what they do with them, whether they buy specialty parts and accessories, where they buy them, how much they pay, etc. SEMA market research dives deep into forecasting in terms of expected future trends based on the “SEMA Future Trends Report.” The market research team also produces a monthly “SEMA Industry Indicators report,” which provides government information about how the economy is doing. A snapshot of the SEMA Show’s attendance and what sections are hot helps provide the industry’s pulse. Finally, SEMA highlights data from industry professionals about what they think about the state of the industry and whether they feel optimistic about the future.