The cover of Hot Rod magazine's December 2010 issue, along with similar cover treatments among publisher Source Interlink Media's titles, will help raise awareness of legislative issues affecting all automotive enthusiasts.

Source Interlink Media, publisher of automotive specialty niche brands with more than 50 titles and 60 websites, is devoting each of its performance automotive group publication titles to the laws and regulations affecting the enjoyment of the automotive hobby. The themed issues are scheduled to hit newsstands in September and October—in time for the November 2010 elections—and will encourage the nearly 50 million readers to exercise their right to be heard.

“We are again at an election crossroads in which many voters are seeking change,” said Doug Evans, Source Interlink Media’s senior vice president and group publisher, performance automotive group. “These issues of our automotive magazines will give our readers an opportunity to consider how actions being taken by federal and state lawmakers impact the auto enthusiast. The need for the enthusiast community to stay informed and become involved is greater than ever. From emissions to auto equipment standards, the government is making decisions about your current and future car.”

The topic is not limited to Washington. While the federal government imposes rules for basic vehicle safety and emissions equipment, most other issues are handled at the state and local levels. From titling and registration to emissions inspection and maintenance and equipment standards, all motor vehicles and motorcycle enthusiasts are subject to decisions made by their state and local officials.

“The people who love musclecars, hot rods, street rods, tuners, replicas, off-road trucks and many other varieties of automotive pursuits are as diverse as the country in which we live,” said SEMA Board Chairman Rick Rollins. “We must work to protect our automotive passions from unnecessary, unfair or well-intentioned but poorly written laws and regulations. Fortunately, we live in a country where we can still make a difference in how we are governed.

"Our greatest tool in making that difference is our voice. By speaking out on issues that concern the automotive hobby, contacting our representatives and working constructively with government officials, we have the power to protect our passion and keep it safe for future generations of auto hobbyists and enthusiasts.”

The future of the hobby depends on those who enjoy it. The ballot box is one venue for making views known. Enthusiasts can also work collectively by joining the SEMA Action Network (SAN), which is a partnership between enthusiasts, car clubs and members of the specialty auto parts industry in the United States and Canada who have pledged to join forces in support of legislative solutions for the auto hobby. It’s free to join and the SAN keeps you informed about pending legislation and regulations—both good and bad—that will impact your state or the entire country.

“We are the destination for millions of enthusiasts and consumers looking to find anything and everything about their enthusiast lifestyle,” Evans added. “Nowhere else can you find more powerful and credible brands specifically targeted to the needs and passions of our readers. We owe it to these dedicated readers to let them know about the threats to their hobby and solutions they can help enact to protect it.”

	The cover of Hot Rod magazine's December 2010 issue, along with similar cover treatments among publisher Source Interlink Media's titles, will help raise awareness of legislative issues affecting all automotive enthusiasts.

Source Interlink Media, publisher of automotive specialty niche brands with more than 50 titles and 60 websites, is devoting each of its performance automotive group publication titles to the laws and regulations affecting the enjoyment of the automotive hobby. The themed issues are scheduled to hit newsstands in September and October—in time for the November 2010 elections—and will encourage the nearly 50 million readers to exercise their right to be heard.

“We are again at an election crossroads in which many voters are seeking change,” said Doug Evans, Source Interlink Media’s senior vice president and group publisher, performance automotive group. “These issues of our automotive magazines will give our readers an opportunity to consider how actions being taken by federal and state lawmakers impact the auto enthusiast. The need for the enthusiast community to stay informed and become involved is greater than ever. From emissions to auto equipment standards, the government is making decisions about your current and future car.”

The topic is not limited to Washington. While the federal government imposes rules for basic vehicle safety and emissions equipment, most other issues are handled at the state and local levels. From titling and registration to emissions inspection and maintenance and equipment standards, all motor vehicles and motorcycle enthusiasts are subject to decisions made by their state and local officials.

“The people who love musclecars, hot rods, street rods, tuners, replicas, off-road trucks and many other varieties of automotive pursuits are as diverse as the country in which we live,” said SEMA Board Chairman Rick Rollins. “We must work to protect our automotive passions from unnecessary, unfair or well-intentioned but poorly written laws and regulations. Fortunately, we live in a country where we can still make a difference in how we are governed.

"Our greatest tool in making that difference is our voice. By speaking out on issues that concern the automotive hobby, contacting our representatives and working constructively with government officials, we have the power to protect our passion and keep it safe for future generations of auto hobbyists and enthusiasts.”

The future of the hobby depends on those who enjoy it. The ballot box is one venue for making views known. Enthusiasts can also work collectively by joining the SEMA Action Network (SAN), which is a partnership between enthusiasts, car clubs and members of the specialty auto parts industry in the United States and Canada who have pledged to join forces in support of legislative solutions for the auto hobby. It’s free to join and the SAN keeps you informed about pending legislation and regulations—both good and bad—that will impact your state or the entire country.

“We are the destination for millions of enthusiasts and consumers looking to find anything and everything about their enthusiast lifestyle,” Evans added. “Nowhere else can you find more powerful and credible brands specifically targeted to the needs and passions of our readers. We owe it to these dedicated readers to let them know about the threats to their hobby and solutions they can help enact to protect it.”

In December 2009, GM showed a select crowd the finished, next-generation Malibu. Some of Brenda Priddy's sources were among the group, and they've confirmed for her that this is indeed the 2012 Chevy Malibu, seen here with much less camouflage on the front end. This version of the Malibu will be a global car, marketed around the globe under other aliases including the Holden Epica and Daewoo Tosca. The Malibu will ride on the same short wheelbase version of the Epsilon II chassis that underpins the 2011 Buick Regal. The overall length of the Malibu will shrink compared to today's model, although insiders say the interior is roomier. Underhood the Malibu will offer either a 2.4L direct-injected four-cylinder or a 2.0L turbocharged Ecotec four mated to a six-speed transmission. Priddy says a hybrid version and all-wheel-drive option will also be available, but a 3.6L V6 is unlikely. Malibu production is scheduled for the fourth-quarter of 2011, although Priddy says that could move up to next summer. Much like the Chevy Cruze rollout, production of foreign-market versions of the Malibu will start in China and Korea several months before U.S. production begins. GM will invest $257 million to get the Fairfax and Detroit Hamtramck assembly plants ready to build the 2012 Chevy Malibu for U.S. production.
Photos copyright Brenda Priddy & Company. Reuse or reproduction without copyright holder's consent is prohibited.

In December 2009, GM showed a select crowd the finished, next-generation Malibu. Some of Brenda Priddy's sources were among the group, and they've confirmed for her that this is indeed the 2012 Chevy Malibu, seen here with much less camouflage on the front end. This version of the Malibu will be a global car, marketed around the globe under other aliases including the Holden Epica and Daewoo Tosca. The Malibu will ride on the same short wheelbase version of the Epsilon II chassis that underpins the 2011 Buick Regal. The overall length of the Malibu will shrink compared to today's model, although insiders say the interior is roomier. Underhood the Malibu will offer either a 2.4L direct-injected four-cylinder or a 2.0L turbocharged Ecotec four mated to a six-speed transmission. Priddy says a hybrid version and all-wheel-drive option will also be available, but a 3.6L V6 is unlikely. Malibu production is scheduled for the fourth-quarter of 2011, although Priddy says that could move up to next summer. Much like the Chevy Cruze rollout, production of foreign-market versions of the Malibu will start in China and Korea several months before U.S. production begins. GM will invest $257 million to get the Fairfax and Detroit Hamtramck assembly plants ready to build the 2012 Chevy Malibu for U.S. production.
Photos copyright Brenda Priddy & Company. Reuse or reproduction without copyright holder's consent is prohibited.

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	Slightly less than 48% of retailers reported increased sales through June 2010 compared to last year. Nearly half think sales will be up through October, forecasting on average a 16% increase.

Optimism among specialty-equipment manufacturers is running high, according to data in a new SEMA Financial Benchmarking report, although that cheer doesn’t run as deep among retailers and distributors on the street level of the industry.

Of manufacturers surveyed for the study, 70% reported increased year-to-date sales through June 2010 compared to the year prior. That’s a 20% increase from data gathered at the beginning of the year.

Manufacturers may be moving more product, but from the looks of the retail and distribution numbers, that product may be sitting in inventory, as nearly 48% of retailers and 52% of distributors reported increased sales through the same period.

Not surprisingly then, 64% of manufacturers expect sales to improve, on average 17.5% when August, September and October numbers are totaled. That’s a little more optimistic than retailers and distributors are projecting, with just 45% of the former, and 50% of the latter, expecting a fall increase. Distributors and retailers who forecast a bump were about even on how much to expect, between 16-18 percent.

All three industry segments cited “poor sales” as their most important business problem. But “government requirements and red tape” as well as “competition from large businesses” factored next-most on the minds of manufacturers, while distributors cite “competition from Internet sales” as their second-most pressing obstacle. Slightly more than 11% of retailers listed “competition from large businesses” as their second worry.

Data is based on retailer, manufacturer and distributor responses in the just-released June SEMA Financial Benchmarking survey. Follow this link to learn more about the SEMA Financial Benchmarking program. Businesses participating in the Financial Benchmarking program receive access to finished reports before it is made available to the rest of the industry. Partcipating is easy; simply click on the appropriate link, whether you're a retailer, manufacturer or distributor.

	Slightly less than 48% of retailers reported increased sales through June 2010 compared to last year. Nearly half think sales will be up through October, forecasting on average a 16% increase.

Optimism among specialty-equipment manufacturers is running high, according to data in a new SEMA Financial Benchmarking report, although that cheer doesn’t run as deep among retailers and distributors on the street level of the industry.

Of manufacturers surveyed for the study, 70% reported increased year-to-date sales through June 2010 compared to the year prior. That’s a 20% increase from data gathered at the beginning of the year.

Manufacturers may be moving more product, but from the looks of the retail and distribution numbers, that product may be sitting in inventory, as nearly 48% of retailers and 52% of distributors reported increased sales through the same period.

Not surprisingly then, 64% of manufacturers expect sales to improve, on average 17.5% when August, September and October numbers are totaled. That’s a little more optimistic than retailers and distributors are projecting, with just 45% of the former, and 50% of the latter, expecting a fall increase. Distributors and retailers who forecast a bump were about even on how much to expect, between 16-18 percent.

All three industry segments cited “poor sales” as their most important business problem. But “government requirements and red tape” as well as “competition from large businesses” factored next-most on the minds of manufacturers, while distributors cite “competition from Internet sales” as their second-most pressing obstacle. Slightly more than 11% of retailers listed “competition from large businesses” as their second worry.

Data is based on retailer, manufacturer and distributor responses in the just-released June SEMA Financial Benchmarking survey. Follow this link to learn more about the SEMA Financial Benchmarking program. Businesses participating in the Financial Benchmarking program receive access to finished reports before it is made available to the rest of the industry. Partcipating is easy; simply click on the appropriate link, whether you're a retailer, manufacturer or distributor.

	The SEMA Show's New Products Showcase is a great way for your company to gain exposure. First submissions are free if entered by October 8.

Does your company have a new product? Take advantage of this free marketing opportunity by entering your product in the 2010 SEMA Show’s New Products Showcase.

By showcasing your product, your company will gain more exposure during and after the Show. Entries will be photographed and featured in SEMA News and on the SEMA website. They will also be promoted to the media and utilized for product information available to buyers at the Show.

Your first product entry is FREE if entered by October 8. Use your exhibitor password when entering your product online here.

Have questions? E-mail skaye@convexx.com or call 702/450-7662, ext. 124.