The newly introduced consumer data featured in the 2015 SEMA Market Report answers more direct questions about where products are purchased and for which vehicles.

By Jason Catullo

The 2015 SEMA Market Report—available for free to SEMA members—features a new source of data based on consumer responses that will help members to identify and track product trends in the specialty-equipment market. This newly introduced data addresses more direct questions about where products are purchased and for which vehicles.

Get your copy of the 2015 SEMA Market Report.

Compared to SEMA’s previous market reports, the new analysis allows members to dig deeper into products and sales channels. Prior to this year’s report, the annual study was based solely on Historical Industry Trend data, which is based on the manufacturer’s perspective. While the manufacturer’s view is still included in the report and offers insight into business results, the newly added data—based on what consumers buy and where—helps identify buyer shopping habits and vehicles. Over time, this new data will help highlight which products are selling, where products are purchased and which vehicles are most accessorized.

The 2015 report covers 43 parts categories. The information was collected from a survey of 20,000 U.S. consumers. Overall, the collection of data provides further insight into product demands, retail trends and consumer profiles.

For more information, download 2015 SEMA Market Report. 

	Schwartz Performance won both classes at the 2015 Car Craft Real Street Eliminator Pro/Am Invitational during the Summer Nationals in Milwaukee.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Schwartz Wins Both Classes at 2015 Car Craft Real Street Eliminator

Schwartz Performance won both classes at the 2015 Car Craft Real Street Eliminator Pro/Am Invitational during the Summer Nationals in Milwaukee. Dale Schwartz and teammate Adam Koch won the pre-82 class with Jeff Schwartz and Dan Howe topping the later model class.

The Pro/Am brought together a two-person team that was required to have one shop car and driver (the pro) along with a customer's car and driver (the amateur). There were three timed events; a speed-stop, autocross and road course, with the best times recorded and averaged with the others to determine the final scores. Schwartz-built and/or equipped cars won them all.

In the early class, Dale Schwartz piloted their '65 Tempest with teammate Adam Koch in his Schwartz-built '69 Camaro. In the later model class it was Dan Howe's LS powered '86 El Camino and Jeff's '15 Z06 taking the win.

Chen Wins Tire Rack Super Shootout Despite High Heat and Rain

Allen Chen was the Super Challenge winner at the Tire Rack SCCA Match Tour event held at the Toledo Express Airport this past weekend.

Allen Chen was the Super Challenge winner at the Tire Rack SCCA Match Tour event held at the Toledo Express Airport this past weekend. Ray Thomas, of Cincinnati, Ohio, finished with the Club Shootout title as Christopher Bickford, of Perrysburg, Ohio, took the Bonus Shootout title.

For each Tire Rack Match Tour event, Saturday is a full day of traditional class-based competition. Sunday morning's three runs set the field for the Super Shootout brackets. From each heat, the top eight indexed times were placed into a Super Shootout bracket. The next eight qualifiers were seeded in the Club Shootout, while the remaining competitors were eligible for the Bonus Shootout.
 
In the Heat Two bracket, Chen (B Street, Chevrolet Corvette) had a first-round meeting with Justin Rest (B Street, Stranoparts/Dangerzone Chevrolet Corvette). Of the two drivers, Chen was the only one to run a lap better than his dial-in. That gave Chen the win and moved him forward in the competition. In the second round, Chen took out Kenneth Tsang (B Street, Chevrolet Corvette) on account of Tsang forfeiting his run on which he hit a cone. That win allowed Chen to move forward in the competition. In the last round of the head-to-head bracket, Chen scored a narrow 0.011-second win over Jeff Mabrey (Street Touring Sport, Honda Civic).

After the four-way battle for the Super Shootout, Chen was deemed the winner as he was the only driver to run faster than his dial-in time.
 
Scott Bloomquist and Durham Racing Engines Capture Second Straight Silver Dollar Nationals

	Scott Bloomquist and Durham Racing Engines raced their way to their second straight Silver Dollar Nationals win Saturday night at I-80 Speedway

Scott Bloomquist and Durham Racing Engines raced their way to their second straight Silver Dollar Nationals win Saturday night at I-80 Speedway with the RY45 Series engine platform. Bloomquist moves to fourth in Lucas Oil Late Model DIRT Series (LOLMDS) points with the win.

Bloomquist was running the fastest laps of the night around the lap 30 mark and was able to catch race leader Jonathan Davenport and to capture the lead with a pass on the inside on lap 31. Bloomquist would be able to fend off charges by both Davenport and Owens over the next 70 laps to capture the $32,000 win. Jared Landers finished fifth with his Sweet-Bloomquist Chassis with Durham Racing Engines under the hood giving Durham two cars in the top five.

Champion will be the title sponsor of the Williams Grove National Open sanctioned by the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, October 1–3, in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The Champion Racing Oil National Open is an event with more than 50 years of history that includes the biggest names in motorsports competing at half-mile Williams Grove Speedway.

	Schwartz Performance won both classes at the 2015 Car Craft Real Street Eliminator Pro/Am Invitational during the Summer Nationals in Milwaukee.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Schwartz Wins Both Classes at 2015 Car Craft Real Street Eliminator

Schwartz Performance won both classes at the 2015 Car Craft Real Street Eliminator Pro/Am Invitational during the Summer Nationals in Milwaukee. Dale Schwartz and teammate Adam Koch won the pre-82 class with Jeff Schwartz and Dan Howe topping the later model class.

The Pro/Am brought together a two-person team that was required to have one shop car and driver (the pro) along with a customer's car and driver (the amateur). There were three timed events; a speed-stop, autocross and road course, with the best times recorded and averaged with the others to determine the final scores. Schwartz-built and/or equipped cars won them all.

In the early class, Dale Schwartz piloted their '65 Tempest with teammate Adam Koch in his Schwartz-built '69 Camaro. In the later model class it was Dan Howe's LS powered '86 El Camino and Jeff's '15 Z06 taking the win.

Chen Wins Tire Rack Super Shootout Despite High Heat and Rain

Allen Chen was the Super Challenge winner at the Tire Rack SCCA Match Tour event held at the Toledo Express Airport this past weekend.

Allen Chen was the Super Challenge winner at the Tire Rack SCCA Match Tour event held at the Toledo Express Airport this past weekend. Ray Thomas, of Cincinnati, Ohio, finished with the Club Shootout title as Christopher Bickford, of Perrysburg, Ohio, took the Bonus Shootout title.

For each Tire Rack Match Tour event, Saturday is a full day of traditional class-based competition. Sunday morning's three runs set the field for the Super Shootout brackets. From each heat, the top eight indexed times were placed into a Super Shootout bracket. The next eight qualifiers were seeded in the Club Shootout, while the remaining competitors were eligible for the Bonus Shootout.
 
In the Heat Two bracket, Chen (B Street, Chevrolet Corvette) had a first-round meeting with Justin Rest (B Street, Stranoparts/Dangerzone Chevrolet Corvette). Of the two drivers, Chen was the only one to run a lap better than his dial-in. That gave Chen the win and moved him forward in the competition. In the second round, Chen took out Kenneth Tsang (B Street, Chevrolet Corvette) on account of Tsang forfeiting his run on which he hit a cone. That win allowed Chen to move forward in the competition. In the last round of the head-to-head bracket, Chen scored a narrow 0.011-second win over Jeff Mabrey (Street Touring Sport, Honda Civic).

After the four-way battle for the Super Shootout, Chen was deemed the winner as he was the only driver to run faster than his dial-in time.
 
Scott Bloomquist and Durham Racing Engines Capture Second Straight Silver Dollar Nationals

	Scott Bloomquist and Durham Racing Engines raced their way to their second straight Silver Dollar Nationals win Saturday night at I-80 Speedway

Scott Bloomquist and Durham Racing Engines raced their way to their second straight Silver Dollar Nationals win Saturday night at I-80 Speedway with the RY45 Series engine platform. Bloomquist moves to fourth in Lucas Oil Late Model DIRT Series (LOLMDS) points with the win.

Bloomquist was running the fastest laps of the night around the lap 30 mark and was able to catch race leader Jonathan Davenport and to capture the lead with a pass on the inside on lap 31. Bloomquist would be able to fend off charges by both Davenport and Owens over the next 70 laps to capture the $32,000 win. Jared Landers finished fifth with his Sweet-Bloomquist Chassis with Durham Racing Engines under the hood giving Durham two cars in the top five.

Champion will be the title sponsor of the Williams Grove National Open sanctioned by the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, October 1–3, in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The Champion Racing Oil National Open is an event with more than 50 years of history that includes the biggest names in motorsports competing at half-mile Williams Grove Speedway.

By Becca Butler

Check out this behind-the-scenes video of 2014 Battle of the Builders participant Michael Duff and his '68 Ford Bronco.

Vehicle builders with a display, feature or booth vehicle at the 2015 SEMA Show are encouraged to participate in this year’s competition by using the 2015 SEMA Battle of the Builders registration form.

The deadline to apply is Monday, September 7.

By Becca Butler

Check out this behind-the-scenes video of 2014 Battle of the Builders participant Michael Duff and his '68 Ford Bronco.

Vehicle builders with a display, feature or booth vehicle at the 2015 SEMA Show are encouraged to participate in this year’s competition by using the 2015 SEMA Battle of the Builders registration form.

The deadline to apply is Monday, September 7.

By Becca Butler

Check out this behind-the-scenes video of 2014 Battle of the Builders participant Michael Duff and his '68 Ford Bronco.

Vehicle builders with a display, feature or booth vehicle at the 2015 SEMA Show are encouraged to participate in this year’s competition by using the 2015 SEMA Battle of the Builders registration form.

The deadline to apply is Monday, September 7.

By Becca Butler

Check out this behind-the-scenes video of 2014 Battle of the Builders participant Michael Duff and his '68 Ford Bronco.

Vehicle builders with a display, feature or booth vehicle at the 2015 SEMA Show are encouraged to participate in this year’s competition by using the 2015 SEMA Battle of the Builders registration form.

The deadline to apply is Monday, September 7.

	The Center of International Commerce includes a team of interpreters to assist with bilingual communication in key languages.

By Jason Catullo

The Center of International Commerce (CIC) is open throughout the entire week of the SEMA Show to provide exhibitors and international buyers with services and amenities to make connections and conduct business. 

The CIC, located in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N255, offers complimentary, private rooms where exhibitors and international buyers can facilitate meetings away from the Show floor. There is also a team of interpreters on hand who will assist with bilingual communication in languages such as German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese.

More than 25% of all buyers expected at the 2015 SEMA Show will come from more than 132 nations outside the United States. Research shows that once at the SEMA Show, international buyers focus on locating new products and connecting with potential domestic business partners. The majority of these buyers will use the CIC’s services and interpreters to make sure their time produces a more efficient and productive Show experience. 

With the CIC in place as an international business hub to connect domestic and international companies, exhibitors are encouraged to have a plan of action to attract international buyers. Complimentary, multilingual “We Export” signs are available to exhibitors, which provide a simple and effective way to indicate to international buyers that a company is interested in doing business. To request a “We Export” sign for your booth, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

International Connections After the Show Closes

Exhibitors are also invited to network with buyers representing markets from around the world during the SEMA Show’s International Happy Hour, taking place Wednesday, November 4, 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m., Upper North Hall, Room N255. Pre-registration is complimentary but required. Exhibitors can register for the International Happy Hour here. 

As one of the largest annual international specialty-equipment trade gatherings, companies will connect with international buyers, distributors and media right in the Las Vegas Convention Center to close out the day. More than 1,000 companies are expected to celebrate at this year’s happy hour.

	The Center of International Commerce includes a team of interpreters to assist with bilingual communication in key languages.

By Jason Catullo

The Center of International Commerce (CIC) is open throughout the entire week of the SEMA Show to provide exhibitors and international buyers with services and amenities to make connections and conduct business. 

The CIC, located in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N255, offers complimentary, private rooms where exhibitors and international buyers can facilitate meetings away from the Show floor. There is also a team of interpreters on hand who will assist with bilingual communication in languages such as German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese.

More than 25% of all buyers expected at the 2015 SEMA Show will come from more than 132 nations outside the United States. Research shows that once at the SEMA Show, international buyers focus on locating new products and connecting with potential domestic business partners. The majority of these buyers will use the CIC’s services and interpreters to make sure their time produces a more efficient and productive Show experience. 

With the CIC in place as an international business hub to connect domestic and international companies, exhibitors are encouraged to have a plan of action to attract international buyers. Complimentary, multilingual “We Export” signs are available to exhibitors, which provide a simple and effective way to indicate to international buyers that a company is interested in doing business. To request a “We Export” sign for your booth, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

International Connections After the Show Closes

Exhibitors are also invited to network with buyers representing markets from around the world during the SEMA Show’s International Happy Hour, taking place Wednesday, November 4, 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m., Upper North Hall, Room N255. Pre-registration is complimentary but required. Exhibitors can register for the International Happy Hour here. 

As one of the largest annual international specialty-equipment trade gatherings, companies will connect with international buyers, distributors and media right in the Las Vegas Convention Center to close out the day. More than 1,000 companies are expected to celebrate at this year’s happy hour.

	The Center of International Commerce includes a team of interpreters to assist with bilingual communication in key languages.

By Jason Catullo

The Center of International Commerce (CIC) is open throughout the entire week of the SEMA Show to provide exhibitors and international buyers with services and amenities to make connections and conduct business. 

The CIC, located in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N255, offers complimentary, private rooms where exhibitors and international buyers can facilitate meetings away from the Show floor. There is also a team of interpreters on hand who will assist with bilingual communication in languages such as German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese.

More than 25% of all buyers expected at the 2015 SEMA Show will come from more than 132 nations outside the United States. Research shows that once at the SEMA Show, international buyers focus on locating new products and connecting with potential domestic business partners. The majority of these buyers will use the CIC’s services and interpreters to make sure their time produces a more efficient and productive Show experience. 

With the CIC in place as an international business hub to connect domestic and international companies, exhibitors are encouraged to have a plan of action to attract international buyers. Complimentary, multilingual “We Export” signs are available to exhibitors, which provide a simple and effective way to indicate to international buyers that a company is interested in doing business. To request a “We Export” sign for your booth, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

International Connections After the Show Closes

Exhibitors are also invited to network with buyers representing markets from around the world during the SEMA Show’s International Happy Hour, taking place Wednesday, November 4, 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m., Upper North Hall, Room N255. Pre-registration is complimentary but required. Exhibitors can register for the International Happy Hour here. 

As one of the largest annual international specialty-equipment trade gatherings, companies will connect with international buyers, distributors and media right in the Las Vegas Convention Center to close out the day. More than 1,000 companies are expected to celebrate at this year’s happy hour.