Thu, 08/23/2012 - 13:02
international buyers guide
SEMA Show Exhibitors are eligible for a free listing in the widely distributed International Buyers’ Guide.

The final deadline to register for a free listing in the 2012 SEMA International Buyers' Guide—a resource for international buyers seeking new suppliers—is September 8. Exhibitors registering by the deadline can also include the appropriate international staff at your firm, further assisting international buyers in finding your booth at the Show and year round. Reserve a complimentary listing now!

Thu, 08/23/2012 - 12:54
  middle east
Participants in the upcoming SEMA trip to the Middle East will have the opportunity to meet one on one with pre-vetted buyers from throughout the region. Pictured here is 2012 participant Barry Adler, president of Quick Time Performance, demonstrating the company’s electric cutout product. Quick Time will again participate in the 2013 event.
   
Companies manufacturing performance, suspension, wheel, exterior styling, exhaust and interior components have already signed up for the March 13–16, 2012, exploratory and sales trip to the United Arab Emirates. Participants will tour local shops, visit a consumer show and meet one on one with buyers from throughout the region, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman.   

The cost to participate is $2,750 with the U.S. Department of Commerce providing a $1,000 grant to defray the costs for qualified companies. Register now or, for more information, e-mail Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

Thu, 08/23/2012 - 12:54
  middle east
Participants in the upcoming SEMA trip to the Middle East will have the opportunity to meet one on one with pre-vetted buyers from throughout the region. Pictured here is 2012 participant Barry Adler, president of Quick Time Performance, demonstrating the company’s electric cutout product. Quick Time will again participate in the 2013 event.
   
Companies manufacturing performance, suspension, wheel, exterior styling, exhaust and interior components have already signed up for the March 13–16, 2012, exploratory and sales trip to the United Arab Emirates. Participants will tour local shops, visit a consumer show and meet one on one with buyers from throughout the region, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman.   

The cost to participate is $2,750 with the U.S. Department of Commerce providing a $1,000 grant to defray the costs for qualified companies. Register now or, for more information, e-mail Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

Thu, 08/23/2012 - 11:12
   hedges
Hedges & Co. will reveal 66 new market trends and facts in the automotive aftermarket over 66 days, beginning Saturday, August 25, leading up to the opening of the 2012 SEMA Show, October 30.
   
Hedges & Co., a SEMA-member market research and database marketing firm, will reveal 66 new market trends and facts in the automotive aftermarket over 66 days, beginning Saturday, August 25, leading up to the opening of the 2012 SEMA Show, October 30. The trends will be accessible for free at www.HedgesCompany.com/blog.

August 25 marks 66 days before the Show opens, and Hedges & Co. will take a metaphorical trip on Route 66 heading to Las Vegas, posting new trends, facts and statistics about the specialty auto parts industry each day. Hedges & Co. blog visitors will learn about new consumer behavior, the future of the industry and much more. The trends will show how today’s automotive consumer has changed and how to have a marketing advantage in 2013. The daily postings will include industry growth; online retailing trends, including Amazon and eBay; demographics of enthusiast car owners; product data; sales statistics; and facts pulled from Hedges & Co.'s proprietary BuyerZoom and BrandZoom market research reports.

The first installment will bring to light online sales of auto parts and accessories for the first half of 2012 and will go live at 8:00 a.m. (EDT), Saturday, August 25.

Members of the automotive aftermarket are also invited to join the discussion by posting their own thoughts on the site. They can also join the discussion on Twitter by following @HedgesCompany or by searching for the hashtag #66trends.
Thu, 08/23/2012 - 11:12
   hedges
Hedges & Co. will reveal 66 new market trends and facts in the automotive aftermarket over 66 days, beginning Saturday, August 25, leading up to the opening of the 2012 SEMA Show, October 30.
   
Hedges & Co., a SEMA-member market research and database marketing firm, will reveal 66 new market trends and facts in the automotive aftermarket over 66 days, beginning Saturday, August 25, leading up to the opening of the 2012 SEMA Show, October 30. The trends will be accessible for free at www.HedgesCompany.com/blog.

August 25 marks 66 days before the Show opens, and Hedges & Co. will take a metaphorical trip on Route 66 heading to Las Vegas, posting new trends, facts and statistics about the specialty auto parts industry each day. Hedges & Co. blog visitors will learn about new consumer behavior, the future of the industry and much more. The trends will show how today’s automotive consumer has changed and how to have a marketing advantage in 2013. The daily postings will include industry growth; online retailing trends, including Amazon and eBay; demographics of enthusiast car owners; product data; sales statistics; and facts pulled from Hedges & Co.'s proprietary BuyerZoom and BrandZoom market research reports.

The first installment will bring to light online sales of auto parts and accessories for the first half of 2012 and will go live at 8:00 a.m. (EDT), Saturday, August 25.

Members of the automotive aftermarket are also invited to join the discussion by posting their own thoughts on the site. They can also join the discussion on Twitter by following @HedgesCompany or by searching for the hashtag #66trends.
Thu, 08/23/2012 - 10:24
 sbn
SBN Select Committee Member Susan Carpenter standing alongside the Mustang during a chassis dyno session at Edelbrock headquarters. 

The SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women has completed week three and four of its eight-week build, and progress is beyond everyone’s wildest expectations. For those of you just tuning in to this historical project, Ford Motor Co. donated a ’13 Mustang GT to SEMA and the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN), and the vehicle is being modified entirely by SBN members. The project is designed to shine the light on women working in the automotive aftermarket and to encourage more women to pursue careers in the industry.

 The vehicle will be auctioned on eBay, with proceeds benefitting the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, thereby helping to foster the industry’s next generation of leaders. The satin-black luxury Mustang concept, designed by Jennifer Seely of Ford and known as High Gear, was adopted after an intense period of Internet voting by Source Interlink Media readers and an ambitious, detailed build schedule was developed.

During weeks one and two, the Mustang started out at L&G Enterprises in San Dimas, California, where the entire underhood area was transformed from its factory white to a sleek all-black finish to match Seely’s vision. Of course, every component hindering the perfect paint job had to be meticulously removed, labeled or taped up, then reinstalled or uncovered. The Mustang was then moved to Source Interlink Media headquarters in El Segundo, California, to the Hot Rod garage where the powertrain team went to work installing the Edelbrock E-Force supercharger and other engine improvements. A chassis dynamometer test, courtesy of the folks at Edelbrock, revealed that the power to the wheels was now 489 hp and 424 lb.-ft. of torque.

Week three was reserved for the interior team, which consisted of Team Leader Kristin Cline of Cie Studios, Rachel DeBarros of Purple Star Media, Liza Sheen of Kizuna Kustoms, SBN Chairman Marla Moore of Hypertech, Crew Chief Kellie Colf of Colf Creative Resources, Jessi Combs of Precious Metals, JoAnn Bortles of Crazy Horse Custom Paint, Michelle Perez and Genevieve Saxton, both auto tech students at Skyline College and Heart Wrenchers Car Club members. Their first step was to pull out all the seats and carpet in order to install the DEI sound-deadening material in preparation for the Kicker stereo installation, then on to the Wilwood brake installation.

“I was especially impressed with Missy Perez and Genevieve Saxton, the two students from Skyline College and the Heart Wrenchers Club,” stated Marla Moore, SBN chair. “Not only was their enthusiasm infectious, but seeing these young college women’s passion helps all of us see that tomorrow’s industry leadership is alive and well.”

Lisa Kubo of K&N stopped in to see how things were going and provided and installed their billet oil filter and K&N air filter. Other visits included new SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Mark Heffington of Hypertech, and former SEMA Board of Directors Chair Corky Coker, as well as the news media.

Crew Chief Kellie Colf stated, “What an incredible week we had. Not only did we get the work done, but also had the privilege of being interviewed by both CBS and the local Fox News station as this historic women’s build unfolds. We were truly honored that these newsmakers recognized the significance of our first all-women’s vehicle build and the precedence it sets for this industry.”

Week four saw High Gear move back to L&G Enterprises for final paint preparation. Team members included Team Leader Theresa Contreras of L&G Enterprises, Addi Van Osdel and Sara Morosan of L&G Enterprises’ Custom Truck Shop Division with assistance from Lisa McCarley of Chicago Pneumatic, who provided the air tools to disassemble the vehicle. Once in the staging area, all exterior and interior parts were removed, holes were welded up and bodywork and prep intensified. With prep complete, the team began the arduous task of masking up the vehicle, and finally by week’s end, the spraying began.

The SBN vehicle build task force is comprised of Task Force Chair Rose Kawasaki (Exports International), Project Vehicle Coordinator Sherry Kollien (Ford Motor Co.), Crew Chief Kellie Colf (Colf Creative Resources), PR/Media Coordinator Camee Edelbrock (Schiefer Media Inc.) and Product Coordinator Susan Carpenter (JR Products). Advisors include Mike Spagnola (Street Scene Equipment), Joel Ayres (Bedslide/Takit) and Marla Moore (Hypertech).



To learn more about the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women, visit www.SEMA.org/SEMAmustangbuild, or contact Bryan Harrison, SEMA's senior manager of councils and the build's project manager at bryanh@sema.org. Follow the build progress at www.youtube.com/MotorTrend and www.HOTROD.com.

Thu, 08/23/2012 - 10:24
 sbn
SBN Select Committee Member Susan Carpenter standing alongside the Mustang during a chassis dyno session at Edelbrock headquarters. 

The SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women has completed week three and four of its eight-week build, and progress is beyond everyone’s wildest expectations. For those of you just tuning in to this historical project, Ford Motor Co. donated a ’13 Mustang GT to SEMA and the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN), and the vehicle is being modified entirely by SBN members. The project is designed to shine the light on women working in the automotive aftermarket and to encourage more women to pursue careers in the industry.

 The vehicle will be auctioned on eBay, with proceeds benefitting the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, thereby helping to foster the industry’s next generation of leaders. The satin-black luxury Mustang concept, designed by Jennifer Seely of Ford and known as High Gear, was adopted after an intense period of Internet voting by Source Interlink Media readers and an ambitious, detailed build schedule was developed.

During weeks one and two, the Mustang started out at L&G Enterprises in San Dimas, California, where the entire underhood area was transformed from its factory white to a sleek all-black finish to match Seely’s vision. Of course, every component hindering the perfect paint job had to be meticulously removed, labeled or taped up, then reinstalled or uncovered. The Mustang was then moved to Source Interlink Media headquarters in El Segundo, California, to the Hot Rod garage where the powertrain team went to work installing the Edelbrock E-Force supercharger and other engine improvements. A chassis dynamometer test, courtesy of the folks at Edelbrock, revealed that the power to the wheels was now 489 hp and 424 lb.-ft. of torque.

Week three was reserved for the interior team, which consisted of Team Leader Kristin Cline of Cie Studios, Rachel DeBarros of Purple Star Media, Liza Sheen of Kizuna Kustoms, SBN Chairman Marla Moore of Hypertech, Crew Chief Kellie Colf of Colf Creative Resources, Jessi Combs of Precious Metals, JoAnn Bortles of Crazy Horse Custom Paint, Michelle Perez and Genevieve Saxton, both auto tech students at Skyline College and Heart Wrenchers Car Club members. Their first step was to pull out all the seats and carpet in order to install the DEI sound-deadening material in preparation for the Kicker stereo installation, then on to the Wilwood brake installation.

“I was especially impressed with Missy Perez and Genevieve Saxton, the two students from Skyline College and the Heart Wrenchers Club,” stated Marla Moore, SBN chair. “Not only was their enthusiasm infectious, but seeing these young college women’s passion helps all of us see that tomorrow’s industry leadership is alive and well.”

Lisa Kubo of K&N stopped in to see how things were going and provided and installed their billet oil filter and K&N air filter. Other visits included new SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Mark Heffington of Hypertech, and former SEMA Board of Directors Chair Corky Coker, as well as the news media.

Crew Chief Kellie Colf stated, “What an incredible week we had. Not only did we get the work done, but also had the privilege of being interviewed by both CBS and the local Fox News station as this historic women’s build unfolds. We were truly honored that these newsmakers recognized the significance of our first all-women’s vehicle build and the precedence it sets for this industry.”

Week four saw High Gear move back to L&G Enterprises for final paint preparation. Team members included Team Leader Theresa Contreras of L&G Enterprises, Addi Van Osdel and Sara Morosan of L&G Enterprises’ Custom Truck Shop Division with assistance from Lisa McCarley of Chicago Pneumatic, who provided the air tools to disassemble the vehicle. Once in the staging area, all exterior and interior parts were removed, holes were welded up and bodywork and prep intensified. With prep complete, the team began the arduous task of masking up the vehicle, and finally by week’s end, the spraying began.

The SBN vehicle build task force is comprised of Task Force Chair Rose Kawasaki (Exports International), Project Vehicle Coordinator Sherry Kollien (Ford Motor Co.), Crew Chief Kellie Colf (Colf Creative Resources), PR/Media Coordinator Camee Edelbrock (Schiefer Media Inc.) and Product Coordinator Susan Carpenter (JR Products). Advisors include Mike Spagnola (Street Scene Equipment), Joel Ayres (Bedslide/Takit) and Marla Moore (Hypertech).



To learn more about the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women, visit www.SEMA.org/SEMAmustangbuild, or contact Bryan Harrison, SEMA's senior manager of councils and the build's project manager at bryanh@sema.org. Follow the build progress at www.youtube.com/MotorTrend and www.HOTROD.com.

Thu, 08/23/2012 - 10:24
 sbn
SBN Select Committee Member Susan Carpenter standing alongside the Mustang during a chassis dyno session at Edelbrock headquarters. 

The SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women has completed week three and four of its eight-week build, and progress is beyond everyone’s wildest expectations. For those of you just tuning in to this historical project, Ford Motor Co. donated a ’13 Mustang GT to SEMA and the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN), and the vehicle is being modified entirely by SBN members. The project is designed to shine the light on women working in the automotive aftermarket and to encourage more women to pursue careers in the industry.

 The vehicle will be auctioned on eBay, with proceeds benefitting the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, thereby helping to foster the industry’s next generation of leaders. The satin-black luxury Mustang concept, designed by Jennifer Seely of Ford and known as High Gear, was adopted after an intense period of Internet voting by Source Interlink Media readers and an ambitious, detailed build schedule was developed.

During weeks one and two, the Mustang started out at L&G Enterprises in San Dimas, California, where the entire underhood area was transformed from its factory white to a sleek all-black finish to match Seely’s vision. Of course, every component hindering the perfect paint job had to be meticulously removed, labeled or taped up, then reinstalled or uncovered. The Mustang was then moved to Source Interlink Media headquarters in El Segundo, California, to the Hot Rod garage where the powertrain team went to work installing the Edelbrock E-Force supercharger and other engine improvements. A chassis dynamometer test, courtesy of the folks at Edelbrock, revealed that the power to the wheels was now 489 hp and 424 lb.-ft. of torque.

Week three was reserved for the interior team, which consisted of Team Leader Kristin Cline of Cie Studios, Rachel DeBarros of Purple Star Media, Liza Sheen of Kizuna Kustoms, SBN Chairman Marla Moore of Hypertech, Crew Chief Kellie Colf of Colf Creative Resources, Jessi Combs of Precious Metals, JoAnn Bortles of Crazy Horse Custom Paint, Michelle Perez and Genevieve Saxton, both auto tech students at Skyline College and Heart Wrenchers Car Club members. Their first step was to pull out all the seats and carpet in order to install the DEI sound-deadening material in preparation for the Kicker stereo installation, then on to the Wilwood brake installation.

“I was especially impressed with Missy Perez and Genevieve Saxton, the two students from Skyline College and the Heart Wrenchers Club,” stated Marla Moore, SBN chair. “Not only was their enthusiasm infectious, but seeing these young college women’s passion helps all of us see that tomorrow’s industry leadership is alive and well.”

Lisa Kubo of K&N stopped in to see how things were going and provided and installed their billet oil filter and K&N air filter. Other visits included new SEMA Hall of Fame inductee Mark Heffington of Hypertech, and former SEMA Board of Directors Chair Corky Coker, as well as the news media.

Crew Chief Kellie Colf stated, “What an incredible week we had. Not only did we get the work done, but also had the privilege of being interviewed by both CBS and the local Fox News station as this historic women’s build unfolds. We were truly honored that these newsmakers recognized the significance of our first all-women’s vehicle build and the precedence it sets for this industry.”

Week four saw High Gear move back to L&G Enterprises for final paint preparation. Team members included Team Leader Theresa Contreras of L&G Enterprises, Addi Van Osdel and Sara Morosan of L&G Enterprises’ Custom Truck Shop Division with assistance from Lisa McCarley of Chicago Pneumatic, who provided the air tools to disassemble the vehicle. Once in the staging area, all exterior and interior parts were removed, holes were welded up and bodywork and prep intensified. With prep complete, the team began the arduous task of masking up the vehicle, and finally by week’s end, the spraying began.

The SBN vehicle build task force is comprised of Task Force Chair Rose Kawasaki (Exports International), Project Vehicle Coordinator Sherry Kollien (Ford Motor Co.), Crew Chief Kellie Colf (Colf Creative Resources), PR/Media Coordinator Camee Edelbrock (Schiefer Media Inc.) and Product Coordinator Susan Carpenter (JR Products). Advisors include Mike Spagnola (Street Scene Equipment), Joel Ayres (Bedslide/Takit) and Marla Moore (Hypertech).



To learn more about the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women, visit www.SEMA.org/SEMAmustangbuild, or contact Bryan Harrison, SEMA's senior manager of councils and the build's project manager at bryanh@sema.org. Follow the build progress at www.youtube.com/MotorTrend and www.HOTROD.com.

Thu, 08/23/2012 - 10:12
   camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro won the SEMA Award for Hottest Car at last year's SEMA Show.
   
Recognizing the top trendsetting vehicle models, the SEMA Awards will be announced and presented to winning automakers during the 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Through the program, SEMA exhibitors who make products for those trendsetting vehicles will identify the vehicle platforms that they believe are best for accessorizing, and best for showcasing the industry’s coolest products.

“Each year, automakers come out with new and amazing models,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “SEMA Show exhibitors invest significant resources and time in developing products for the most promising new models. The SEMA Award is a one-of-a-kind award that recognizes the vehicle models that SEMA exhibitors expect will be the major trendsetters for the year ahead.”

Show organizers will take a tally of every booth vehicle at the Show to identify the most prominent vehicle models in four categories (Hottest Car, Hottest Truck, Hottest 4x4-SUV, and Hottest Sport Compact). With each booth vehicle representing one vote, the most prominent models will be named the SEMA Award winners for the year.

“SEMA Show exhibitors are among the true visionaries of the industry," said Kersting. "The decision to display their newest products on a particular new model is a statement about what they see as the year’s hottest new cars and trucks.”

The SEMA Show typically includes more than 700 qualified booth vehicles. Last year's SEMA Award winners were the Chevrolet Camaro as the Hottest Car, the Ford F-Series as the Hottest Truck, the Jeep Wrangler as the Hottest 4x4-SUV and the Fiat 500 as the Hottest Sport Compact. The 2012 winners will be announced and presented during a press conference at the SEMA Show. For additional information about the SEMA Award program, visit www.sema.org/semaaward.

The 2012 SEMA Show takes place Tuesday–Friday, October 30–November 2, 2012, in Las Vegas. As the largest automotive trade gathering in the world, the annual event features nearly 2,000 manufacturers, 100,000 industry professionals, dozens of educational seminars and several networking opportunities. To learn more about the event, visit www.SEMAShow.com.
Thu, 08/23/2012 - 10:12
   camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro won the SEMA Award for Hottest Car at last year's SEMA Show.
   
Recognizing the top trendsetting vehicle models, the SEMA Awards will be announced and presented to winning automakers during the 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Through the program, SEMA exhibitors who make products for those trendsetting vehicles will identify the vehicle platforms that they believe are best for accessorizing, and best for showcasing the industry’s coolest products.

“Each year, automakers come out with new and amazing models,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “SEMA Show exhibitors invest significant resources and time in developing products for the most promising new models. The SEMA Award is a one-of-a-kind award that recognizes the vehicle models that SEMA exhibitors expect will be the major trendsetters for the year ahead.”

Show organizers will take a tally of every booth vehicle at the Show to identify the most prominent vehicle models in four categories (Hottest Car, Hottest Truck, Hottest 4x4-SUV, and Hottest Sport Compact). With each booth vehicle representing one vote, the most prominent models will be named the SEMA Award winners for the year.

“SEMA Show exhibitors are among the true visionaries of the industry," said Kersting. "The decision to display their newest products on a particular new model is a statement about what they see as the year’s hottest new cars and trucks.”

The SEMA Show typically includes more than 700 qualified booth vehicles. Last year's SEMA Award winners were the Chevrolet Camaro as the Hottest Car, the Ford F-Series as the Hottest Truck, the Jeep Wrangler as the Hottest 4x4-SUV and the Fiat 500 as the Hottest Sport Compact. The 2012 winners will be announced and presented during a press conference at the SEMA Show. For additional information about the SEMA Award program, visit www.sema.org/semaaward.

The 2012 SEMA Show takes place Tuesday–Friday, October 30–November 2, 2012, in Las Vegas. As the largest automotive trade gathering in the world, the annual event features nearly 2,000 manufacturers, 100,000 industry professionals, dozens of educational seminars and several networking opportunities. To learn more about the event, visit www.SEMAShow.com.