By Kyle Cheng

In December, the economy added 312,000 new jobs—well above both average and expectations.

Overall, the U.S. economy continues to add jobs, and the labor market remains a place of strength. In December, the economy added 312,000 new jobs—well above both average and expectations. However, uncertainty remains. Some indicators suggest economic momentum is slowing. Auto-parts production in the last half of 2018 only grew at half the rate it did a year ago. Likewise, new-vehicle sales, while remaining positive, slowed as the year progressed.

It’s hard to predict the magnitude of any economic slowing, but many point to 2019 as a year of moderate growth and 2020 as a challenging year. However, risks may not be as daunting as previously thought. Strength in the labor market and accelerating wage growth offer support for more promising outcomes.

Want more information on the trends affecting the specialty automotive aftermarket? Check out SEMA’s January “Industry Indicators Report” to learn how movements in the broader economy may impact your business strategy.

By Kyle Cheng

In December, the economy added 312,000 new jobs—well above both average and expectations.

Overall, the U.S. economy continues to add jobs, and the labor market remains a place of strength. In December, the economy added 312,000 new jobs—well above both average and expectations. However, uncertainty remains. Some indicators suggest economic momentum is slowing. Auto-parts production in the last half of 2018 only grew at half the rate it did a year ago. Likewise, new-vehicle sales, while remaining positive, slowed as the year progressed.

It’s hard to predict the magnitude of any economic slowing, but many point to 2019 as a year of moderate growth and 2020 as a challenging year. However, risks may not be as daunting as previously thought. Strength in the labor market and accelerating wage growth offer support for more promising outcomes.

Want more information on the trends affecting the specialty automotive aftermarket? Check out SEMA’s January “Industry Indicators Report” to learn how movements in the broader economy may impact your business strategy.

This isn’t the Ford Fiesta Active, nor is it an all-new Ecosport. Caught testing in Germany is a third Fiesta-based SUV model, probably called the City-SUV, and will likely hit dealers in 2020.

It is aimed at buyers that find the Fiesta Active to be too car-like and the Ecosport too basic. The new model will share platform and mechanics with the Fiesta hatch and have to battle with strong competition, including the Kia Stonic, Seat Arona and VW T-Cross (in Europe).

It’s still unknown if this will have a chance at coming stateside.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This isn’t the Ford Fiesta Active, nor is it an all-new Ecosport. Caught testing in Germany is a third Fiesta-based SUV model, probably called the City-SUV, and will likely hit dealers in 2020.

It is aimed at buyers that find the Fiesta Active to be too car-like and the Ecosport too basic. The new model will share platform and mechanics with the Fiesta hatch and have to battle with strong competition, including the Kia Stonic, Seat Arona and VW T-Cross (in Europe).

It’s still unknown if this will have a chance at coming stateside.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This isn’t the Ford Fiesta Active, nor is it an all-new Ecosport. Caught testing in Germany is a third Fiesta-based SUV model, probably called the City-SUV, and will likely hit dealers in 2020.

It is aimed at buyers that find the Fiesta Active to be too car-like and the Ecosport too basic. The new model will share platform and mechanics with the Fiesta hatch and have to battle with strong competition, including the Kia Stonic, Seat Arona and VW T-Cross (in Europe).

It’s still unknown if this will have a chance at coming stateside.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This isn’t the Ford Fiesta Active, nor is it an all-new Ecosport. Caught testing in Germany is a third Fiesta-based SUV model, probably called the City-SUV, and will likely hit dealers in 2020.

It is aimed at buyers that find the Fiesta Active to be too car-like and the Ecosport too basic. The new model will share platform and mechanics with the Fiesta hatch and have to battle with strong competition, including the Kia Stonic, Seat Arona and VW T-Cross (in Europe).

It’s still unknown if this will have a chance at coming stateside.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This isn’t the Ford Fiesta Active, nor is it an all-new Ecosport. Caught testing in Germany is a third Fiesta-based SUV model, probably called the City-SUV, and will likely hit dealers in 2020.

It is aimed at buyers that find the Fiesta Active to be too car-like and the Ecosport too basic. The new model will share platform and mechanics with the Fiesta hatch and have to battle with strong competition, including the Kia Stonic, Seat Arona and VW T-Cross (in Europe).

It’s still unknown if this will have a chance at coming stateside.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This isn’t the Ford Fiesta Active, nor is it an all-new Ecosport. Caught testing in Germany is a third Fiesta-based SUV model, probably called the City-SUV, and will likely hit dealers in 2020.

It is aimed at buyers that find the Fiesta Active to be too car-like and the Ecosport too basic. The new model will share platform and mechanics with the Fiesta hatch and have to battle with strong competition, including the Kia Stonic, Seat Arona and VW T-Cross (in Europe).

It’s still unknown if this will have a chance at coming stateside.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By Della Domingo

With thousands of media attending the SEMA Show each year, the annual event provides exhibitors with a great opportunity to increase exposure and awareness.

With thousands of media attending the SEMA Show each year, the annual event provides exhibitors with a great opportunity to increase exposure and awareness. SEMA has many programs to help connect exhibitors with media, including an online media center, where exhibitors can upload press releases at no charge, and a service that pushes photos and information about new products from the New Products Showcase out to journalists.

As exhibitors prepare for the 2019 SEMA Show, the SEMA media relations team would like to know what media questions exhibitors have. Exhibitors are invited to submit the following to pr@sema.org:

• Questions for journalists who are at the SEMA Show.
• Target list of specific journalists they would want to see attend the SEMA Show.
• Biggest media challenges they face at the SEMA Show.
• Advice they would like to receive from journalists.

Select submissions will be forwarded to media and used to shape upcoming communications with exhibitors.

By Della Domingo

With thousands of media attending the SEMA Show each year, the annual event provides exhibitors with a great opportunity to increase exposure and awareness.

With thousands of media attending the SEMA Show each year, the annual event provides exhibitors with a great opportunity to increase exposure and awareness. SEMA has many programs to help connect exhibitors with media, including an online media center, where exhibitors can upload press releases at no charge, and a service that pushes photos and information about new products from the New Products Showcase out to journalists.

As exhibitors prepare for the 2019 SEMA Show, the SEMA media relations team would like to know what media questions exhibitors have. Exhibitors are invited to submit the following to pr@sema.org:

• Questions for journalists who are at the SEMA Show.
• Target list of specific journalists they would want to see attend the SEMA Show.
• Biggest media challenges they face at the SEMA Show.
• Advice they would like to receive from journalists.

Select submissions will be forwarded to media and used to shape upcoming communications with exhibitors.