By SEMA Editors

	The students from the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts work with SEMA manufacturers in the SEMA Garage to customize the WD-40/SEMA Cares Foose Ford F-150.
	The students install AMP Research running boards on the truck.
	Dylan Evans from Icon Vehicle Dynamics shows one of the students how to install shocks.

Ten SEMA-member manufacturers and students from the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts (AXC) gathered at the SEMA Garage-Industry Innovations Center in Diamond Bar, California, this week to customize the WD-40/SEMA Cares Foose Ford F-150 off-road truck, which will be raffled off at SEMA Headquarters May 30, 2014, to benefit three SEMA Cares charities.

The Foose-inspired truck is the first vehicle to be built inside the new, state-of-the-art SEMA Garage—a facility that allows SEMA-member companies to test and prototype parts, try its 3D modeling and printing and use its full-scale photo studio. Through a partnership with AXC, leading SEMA manufacturers worked alongside underprivileged teens and young adults to install parts and equipment on the truck.

The vehicle pays tribute to the off-roaders, truck enthusiasts and aftermarket companies that have used and trusted WD-40 Co. products over the last 60 years. Instead of being auctioned like previous WD-40/SEMA Cares vehicles, the enhanced ’13 Ford F-150 Lariat will be raffled off to one lucky winner in the spring of 2014. With raffle tickets costing just $50 starting November 1, 2013, owning a Foose-inspired truck is now more accessible than ever to all automotive enthusiasts.

“Can you imagine winning a one-off vehicle like this for only $50?” asked Chip Foose, president and CEO of Foose Design. “Not everyone gets to make people’s dreams come true on a show like "Overhaulin’," but you can help make kids’ dreams come true by purchasing your raffle tickets and supporting a great cause.”

Proceeds from the raffled vehicle will benefit three SEMA Cares charities—the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, which is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive leaders and innovators; Childhelp, an organization that provides services to abused and neglected children; and Victory Junction, an organization that provides life-changing camping experiences to special needs and chronically ill children.

The WD-40/SEMA Cares Foose Ford F-150 build partners include: Foose Design, Source Interlink Media, LGE*CTS Motorsports, Whipple Superchargers, Icon Vehicle Dynamics, MHT Wheels, Boatec, Magnaflow, BASF, Katzkin, Audio Innovations, AMP Research, Fuel-Tool, Bulldog LED Lighting, Banks Power, HushMat, Mag-Hytec, Warn Industries, Optima Batteries, Falken Tire, PowerBass, Atlas Spring, Clarion and Metra Electronics.

This is the sixth vehicle WD-40 Co. and SEMA Cares have teamed up to build, and the fourth vehicle Chip Foose has designed with them. To date, WD-40/SEMA Cares vehicles have raised more than $575,000 for SEMA Cares charities.

Stay tuned to SEMA eNews for more information on how to participate in the raffle. For more on the truck build, visit WD40.com/Foose.

By Zane Clark

The SEMA International Affairs Office has put together a lineup of free educational sessions at this year's SEMA Show designed to help attendees conduct business in international markets, such as the Middle East, Russia and China.

If you are looking for a leg up with your business, try thinking internationally and expanding your business overseas. If you are considering such an expansion, there is a lot of work to be done and questions to be answered before beginning. For starters, what markets best align with your goals or product line? SEMA’s International Affairs Office has put together an invaluable lineup of free educational sessions at this year’s SEMA Show to help your business fuel its financial growth. Get answers to your questions about three of the most important emerging overseas markets for the automotive industry.

Middle East
Monday, November 4, 2013
11 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Learn how to cash in on this lucrative region. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and surrounding countries provide some of the best opportunities for United States specialty-parts manufacturers, as off-roading, classic-car collecting and motorsports are all growing in popularity. Attendees will also learn about the details of the third SEMA one-on-one matchmaking program being held in the UAE in March 2014.

Russia
Monday, November 4, 2013
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Russia ranks sixth in the world in terms of annual passenger-vehicle sales. The country’s auto market has rebounded from the 2008–2009 recession with new-vehicles sales for 2012 up 11% from the previous year, which makes Russia the second-largest European vehicle market. With 2.9 million passenger vehicles sold last year, the country is quickly gaining on Germany—the top market in Europe—and many experts estimate that the positions will flip between these two countries in the next few years.

There are now 38.7 million passenger vehicles on Russian roads. But with 140 million people, a large, unmet demand still exists for those who have not yet had the opportunity to purchase a vehicle.

SUVs represent the largest and fastest-growing automotive sector in Russia, making up 31% of all passenger sales in 2012. Nearly one-third of all passenger-vehicle sales were SUVs—more than double the rate of SUV sales throughout the rest of Europe.

Purchasing Power: Russia has the highest gross domestic product per capita among the members of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). “[By] 2020, Russia should be one of the biggest consumer markets on a global basis,” said Russian Machines Chairman Siegfried Wolf in a Just-Auto.com interview. The company also owns the GAZ Group automotive division. Per capita, Wolf said Russia has doubled the per capita income of the Chinese—$20,000 compared to $11,000—and India is at about $6,000.

China
Monday, November 4, 2013
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Chinese distributors and SEMA members already successful in the region provide insider tips. Learn the latest trends, applications and perceptions of United States brands in the Chinese market. This will be a great opportunity to meet with press and distributors of specialty products in this market of 1.3 billion people in this informal, practical session to assist you in deciding if this market is a good fit for your products.

Check out the latest education schedule.

By Zane Clark

The SEMA International Affairs Office has put together a lineup of free educational sessions at this year's SEMA Show designed to help attendees conduct business in international markets, such as the Middle East, Russia and China.

If you are looking for a leg up with your business, try thinking internationally and expanding your business overseas. If you are considering such an expansion, there is a lot of work to be done and questions to be answered before beginning. For starters, what markets best align with your goals or product line? SEMA’s International Affairs Office has put together an invaluable lineup of free educational sessions at this year’s SEMA Show to help your business fuel its financial growth. Get answers to your questions about three of the most important emerging overseas markets for the automotive industry.

Middle East
Monday, November 4, 2013
11 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Learn how to cash in on this lucrative region. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and surrounding countries provide some of the best opportunities for United States specialty-parts manufacturers, as off-roading, classic-car collecting and motorsports are all growing in popularity. Attendees will also learn about the details of the third SEMA one-on-one matchmaking program being held in the UAE in March 2014.

Russia
Monday, November 4, 2013
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Russia ranks sixth in the world in terms of annual passenger-vehicle sales. The country’s auto market has rebounded from the 2008–2009 recession with new-vehicles sales for 2012 up 11% from the previous year, which makes Russia the second-largest European vehicle market. With 2.9 million passenger vehicles sold last year, the country is quickly gaining on Germany—the top market in Europe—and many experts estimate that the positions will flip between these two countries in the next few years.

There are now 38.7 million passenger vehicles on Russian roads. But with 140 million people, a large, unmet demand still exists for those who have not yet had the opportunity to purchase a vehicle.

SUVs represent the largest and fastest-growing automotive sector in Russia, making up 31% of all passenger sales in 2012. Nearly one-third of all passenger-vehicle sales were SUVs—more than double the rate of SUV sales throughout the rest of Europe.

Purchasing Power: Russia has the highest gross domestic product per capita among the members of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). “[By] 2020, Russia should be one of the biggest consumer markets on a global basis,” said Russian Machines Chairman Siegfried Wolf in a Just-Auto.com interview. The company also owns the GAZ Group automotive division. Per capita, Wolf said Russia has doubled the per capita income of the Chinese—$20,000 compared to $11,000—and India is at about $6,000.

China
Monday, November 4, 2013
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Chinese distributors and SEMA members already successful in the region provide insider tips. Learn the latest trends, applications and perceptions of United States brands in the Chinese market. This will be a great opportunity to meet with press and distributors of specialty products in this market of 1.3 billion people in this informal, practical session to assist you in deciding if this market is a good fit for your products.

Check out the latest education schedule.

By Zane Clark

The SEMA International Affairs Office has put together a lineup of free educational sessions at this year's SEMA Show designed to help attendees conduct business in international markets, such as the Middle East, Russia and China.

If you are looking for a leg up with your business, try thinking internationally and expanding your business overseas. If you are considering such an expansion, there is a lot of work to be done and questions to be answered before beginning. For starters, what markets best align with your goals or product line? SEMA’s International Affairs Office has put together an invaluable lineup of free educational sessions at this year’s SEMA Show to help your business fuel its financial growth. Get answers to your questions about three of the most important emerging overseas markets for the automotive industry.

Middle East
Monday, November 4, 2013
11 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Learn how to cash in on this lucrative region. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and surrounding countries provide some of the best opportunities for United States specialty-parts manufacturers, as off-roading, classic-car collecting and motorsports are all growing in popularity. Attendees will also learn about the details of the third SEMA one-on-one matchmaking program being held in the UAE in March 2014.

Russia
Monday, November 4, 2013
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Russia ranks sixth in the world in terms of annual passenger-vehicle sales. The country’s auto market has rebounded from the 2008–2009 recession with new-vehicles sales for 2012 up 11% from the previous year, which makes Russia the second-largest European vehicle market. With 2.9 million passenger vehicles sold last year, the country is quickly gaining on Germany—the top market in Europe—and many experts estimate that the positions will flip between these two countries in the next few years.

There are now 38.7 million passenger vehicles on Russian roads. But with 140 million people, a large, unmet demand still exists for those who have not yet had the opportunity to purchase a vehicle.

SUVs represent the largest and fastest-growing automotive sector in Russia, making up 31% of all passenger sales in 2012. Nearly one-third of all passenger-vehicle sales were SUVs—more than double the rate of SUV sales throughout the rest of Europe.

Purchasing Power: Russia has the highest gross domestic product per capita among the members of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). “[By] 2020, Russia should be one of the biggest consumer markets on a global basis,” said Russian Machines Chairman Siegfried Wolf in a Just-Auto.com interview. The company also owns the GAZ Group automotive division. Per capita, Wolf said Russia has doubled the per capita income of the Chinese—$20,000 compared to $11,000—and India is at about $6,000.

China
Monday, November 4, 2013
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Chinese distributors and SEMA members already successful in the region provide insider tips. Learn the latest trends, applications and perceptions of United States brands in the Chinese market. This will be a great opportunity to meet with press and distributors of specialty products in this market of 1.3 billion people in this informal, practical session to assist you in deciding if this market is a good fit for your products.

Check out the latest education schedule.

By Zane Clark

The SEMA International Affairs Office has put together a lineup of free educational sessions at this year's SEMA Show designed to help attendees conduct business in international markets, such as the Middle East, Russia and China.

If you are looking for a leg up with your business, try thinking internationally and expanding your business overseas. If you are considering such an expansion, there is a lot of work to be done and questions to be answered before beginning. For starters, what markets best align with your goals or product line? SEMA’s International Affairs Office has put together an invaluable lineup of free educational sessions at this year’s SEMA Show to help your business fuel its financial growth. Get answers to your questions about three of the most important emerging overseas markets for the automotive industry.

Middle East
Monday, November 4, 2013
11 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Learn how to cash in on this lucrative region. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and surrounding countries provide some of the best opportunities for United States specialty-parts manufacturers, as off-roading, classic-car collecting and motorsports are all growing in popularity. Attendees will also learn about the details of the third SEMA one-on-one matchmaking program being held in the UAE in March 2014.

Russia
Monday, November 4, 2013
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Russia ranks sixth in the world in terms of annual passenger-vehicle sales. The country’s auto market has rebounded from the 2008–2009 recession with new-vehicles sales for 2012 up 11% from the previous year, which makes Russia the second-largest European vehicle market. With 2.9 million passenger vehicles sold last year, the country is quickly gaining on Germany—the top market in Europe—and many experts estimate that the positions will flip between these two countries in the next few years.

There are now 38.7 million passenger vehicles on Russian roads. But with 140 million people, a large, unmet demand still exists for those who have not yet had the opportunity to purchase a vehicle.

SUVs represent the largest and fastest-growing automotive sector in Russia, making up 31% of all passenger sales in 2012. Nearly one-third of all passenger-vehicle sales were SUVs—more than double the rate of SUV sales throughout the rest of Europe.

Purchasing Power: Russia has the highest gross domestic product per capita among the members of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). “[By] 2020, Russia should be one of the biggest consumer markets on a global basis,” said Russian Machines Chairman Siegfried Wolf in a Just-Auto.com interview. The company also owns the GAZ Group automotive division. Per capita, Wolf said Russia has doubled the per capita income of the Chinese—$20,000 compared to $11,000—and India is at about $6,000.

China
Monday, November 4, 2013
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
LVCC N254

Chinese distributors and SEMA members already successful in the region provide insider tips. Learn the latest trends, applications and perceptions of United States brands in the Chinese market. This will be a great opportunity to meet with press and distributors of specialty products in this market of 1.3 billion people in this informal, practical session to assist you in deciding if this market is a good fit for your products.

Check out the latest education schedule.

By Linda Spencer

	The 2014 Middle East Business Development Conference will include visits to local specialty-equipment retailers, briefings by U.S. embassy officials, networking receptions and a day-long expo at the Middle East Motor Tuning Show (MEMTS).

Explore one of the world’s largest regions for customizing—the Middle East, and particularly the Gulf-coast countries in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. Meet with resellers stocking products from the United States and elsewhere in the world to meet the growing demands of a large concentration of motorists with deep pockets and a passion for customizing. A limited number of slots are available for the SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference being held March 11–14, 2014, in the UAE.

Participants of this low-cost, high-value trip will have the opportunity to:

• Tour local specialty-equipment shops.
• Participate in a networking event with local buyers.
• Exhibit in the SEMA Hall at the Middle East Motor Tuning Show (MEMTS).

Qualified companies can receive a U.S. government grant to reduce program costs. More information is available at sema.org/middleeast or contact lindas@sema.org.  

Exhibitors, register now for the 2014 SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference.

By Linda Spencer

	The 2014 Middle East Business Development Conference will include visits to local specialty-equipment retailers, briefings by U.S. embassy officials, networking receptions and a day-long expo at the Middle East Motor Tuning Show (MEMTS).

Explore one of the world’s largest regions for customizing—the Middle East, and particularly the Gulf-coast countries in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. Meet with resellers stocking products from the United States and elsewhere in the world to meet the growing demands of a large concentration of motorists with deep pockets and a passion for customizing. A limited number of slots are available for the SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference being held March 11–14, 2014, in the UAE.

Participants of this low-cost, high-value trip will have the opportunity to:

• Tour local specialty-equipment shops.
• Participate in a networking event with local buyers.
• Exhibit in the SEMA Hall at the Middle East Motor Tuning Show (MEMTS).

Qualified companies can receive a U.S. government grant to reduce program costs. More information is available at sema.org/middleeast or contact lindas@sema.org.  

Exhibitors, register now for the 2014 SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
 
Legislation to allow minor modifications to collector vehicles, exempt former military vehicles, historic military vehicles and collector vehicles from importer certification label requirements, and expand rights for historic military vehicle owners was passed by the full Wisconsin Assembly. Having already been approved by the Senate, the bill will now be sent to Governor Scott Walker for his signature and enactment into law. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
 
Legislation to allow minor modifications to collector vehicles, exempt former military vehicles, historic military vehicles and collector vehicles from importer certification label requirements, and expand rights for historic military vehicle owners was passed by the full Wisconsin Assembly. Having already been approved by the Senate, the bill will now be sent to Governor Scott Walker for his signature and enactment into law. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
 
Legislation to allow minor modifications to collector vehicles, exempt former military vehicles, historic military vehicles and collector vehicles from importer certification label requirements, and expand rights for historic military vehicle owners was passed by the full Wisconsin Assembly. Having already been approved by the Senate, the bill will now be sent to Governor Scott Walker for his signature and enactment into law. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.