Innovations for Audio, Video, Safety and Performance

Many safety and performance systems as well as traditional audio and video used to be restricted to hardwired installations. But smartphones, such as Blackberry, iPhone, Android and others, are creating a revolution in not only how navigation, audio and video are used, but also how vehicle maintenance and troubleshooting are performed, and we are already seeing communications from vehicle to vehicle as well as between vehicles and the infrastructure. Tablet computers, the latest innovation, are beginning to add yet another subgroup to the definition of mobile electronics.

As shown on these pages, more than 40 new mobile-electronics products were unveiled at the 2010 SEMA Show, including a wealth of devices that are compatible with smartphone technologies. We’ve also gathered comments about the current state and future of the industry from executives with some of the top companies in the field. As with electronics and automobiles, the combination is informative as well as entertaining.

The biggest trend we’re seeing is smartphone integration. People have their whole lives on these devices—their music, photos, calendar items, e-mail, social networks. It’s a huge thing with both the carmakers and aftermarket right now.

The smartphone is important because of its connection to the Internet, also called “the cloud.” Instead of having everything built into the car, you have it streamed over a wireless Internet connection. You don’t have to have the music nor a navigation system in the car; you have it on the phone. The only downside is that if you lose your cell connection, you lose your music or your way.

Internet radio is a another big trend. A lot of companies—Pioneer, Alpine and Kenwood—introduced head units that can stream Pandora radio. There’s also a new system that I just tried called Mog, which is kind of a cross between Pandora and an iPod. It’s a subscription-based system that allows you to stream music that you personally select.

Retailers and installers need to be aware of what’s happening with phone integration. The aftermarket has the opportunity to provide these technologies to people who want to keep an existing car or buy a car that doesn’t offer these systems.

—Doug Newcomb
Senior Editor, Technology, Edmunds.com

As carmakers become more aggressive with technology, aftermarket manufacturers and retailers need to offer something different. In the past, it was always aftermarket first; now you have somewhat even footing, depending on the car company. Retailers will want to offer products with advanced features, more real-time services and smartphone connectivity. We made similar transitions in the past when CD started to go to MP3. We saw it with iPod integration and USB, and I think the evolution now is smartphones. Capitalize on those products.

—Adam Thomas
Vice President of Marketing, Clarion Corp.

Safeguarding Your Computers From Hackers

By Joe Dysart

So far, the hacking that has grabbed most of the headlines consisted of computer breaches at giant corporations, such as VISA, Mastercard and Paypal, and was perpetrated by a shadowy group of hackers who call themselves “Anonymous.”

“Anonymous is heroic to many people who are sick of government lies and weary of government intrusion—unwarranted and warrantless—into the lives of U.S. citizens,” said Sharon D. Nelson, Esq., president of Sensei Enterprises, a computer security consulting firm. “They have become very much like—in The Terminator movies—the resistance fighting Skynet. Many are script kiddies or amateur hackers. But there is a core group of hackers who have extraordinary skills. They present one of the greatest security threats of recent years. And we have not, so far, done a lot to counter their intrusions.”

But while Anonymous’ exploits have been reserved for big game and even bigger headlines, web-security experts warn that virtually every business and every computer user is at serious risk of being hacked by someone these days—especially those businesses and users that are cruising the web with little or no protection.

“Rogue applications, clickjacking, survey scams—all unheard of just a couple of years ago—are now popping up on a daily basis on social networks such as Facebook,” said Graham Cluley, a senior technology consultant at Sophos, a computer security consulting firm. The firm recently released, “Security Threat Report: 2011."

The security take-away? Businesses of all sizes need to make peace with the fact that hackers don’t seem ready to be neutralized any time soon. Those same companies also need to fess up that their current computer defenses are probably silly putty in the hands of the most experienced of hackers. The best way to begin hardening your digital perimeter is to realize that the people responsible for your web security are the overarching factor in keeping your firm safe—and not necessarily the security technology they administer and oversee.

“Fundamentally, good security really is just good systems administration,” said Ira Winkler, founder of Internet Security Advisors Group, another computer security consulting firm. “And if you can’t afford or can’t get a good system administrator, I recommend outsourcing.”

In fact, Winkler said that the smallest businesses will probably be better served by an outsourced third-party solution, given that the entire business of a top-notch network systems provider focuses on configuring, maintaining and securing computer systems 24/7. In other words: You may want to move your critical business systems to the cloud so that you can take advantage of the relatively sophisticated web security offered there, according to Winkler.

At minimum, Sensei’s Nelson recommends a quality firewall that’s properly configured and Internet security software that guards against viruses, malware and spyware. There should also be security policies in place regarding password length and complexity and the like, Nelson said. And you’ll also need to be sure your staff gets the message that your company’s security is serious business.

“A custom CMS is usually a bad idea,” Nelson said.

Many people also tend to get lazy about passwords. Surprisingly, one of the most commonly used is “P-A-S-S-W-O-R-D”—a seemingly trivial oversight that has spelled the undoing of countless otherwise-stellar computer security systems.

Nelson recommended complex alphanumeric passwords of more than 12 characters, which are tough to crack even by password-stealing software that is specifically designed for the purpose. And she reminds people to use different IDs and passwords at different gateways.

Nelson also said that businesses need policies in place to establish lockouts after a system user has entered a predetermined number of incorrect IDs or passwords. And the same lockout failsafe needs to kick in the moment an employee departs or is terminated from a business.

For protection of especially critical data, Winkler advised multiple authentication, such as the use of two or three passwords to access a website maintenance account rather than just one. And he said that companies whose data privacy is especially critical should consider investing in data-leakage prevention software.

Employees also need to stay vigilant for hacker “social engineering” ploys—a fancy term for a hacker who forsakes the digital black arts and takes the easy route by tricking someone at a company into surrendering the crown jewels with a friendly phone call or a seemingly innocuous e-mail.

Regular meetings, newsletters or memos about security vigilance also offer an opportunity for firms to update staff about the latest smoke and mirrors in vogue among hackers. A popular one lately, for example, is to regularly spam people with marketing e-mails that seem to originate from a legitimate firm and include a handy “unsubscribe” link at the bottom. Unbeknownst to the recipient, clicking the link activates an invisible download of malware to their PC or other computer device—software that can be used to steal IDs, passwords, credit card numbers, client data and the like.

“Look at the link, and see where it’s coming from,” Winkler advised. If you don’t recognize the company or the link seems hinky, don’t click it.

“If you give it to the cloud, it’s their problem,” Nelson said. “There’s a big debate about whether that’s a good or bad thing. If you’re going to do it, do it completely and use virtualized desktops. In a mixed-bag scenario, both parties
have risks.”

Companies with especially sensitive data will need another layer of security.

“You should have intrusion detection and prevention systems, including ‘honey-pots’—bogus data to attract a hacker there so they can be picked up,” Nelson said. “You can place resources in a DMZ [demilitarized zone], isolating them from the production network. You need the logging system to have a methodology to send alerts when pre-determined events happen or artificial intelligence products that do heuristic analysis and trigger alerts.”

There are, of course, other ways to further toughen your security. Nelson plans to release an entire book on the subject next year. But at a certain point, you’ll probably need to concede that your security will never be perfect—only, you hope, good enough.

“Anybody who sells you ‘perfect security’ is a fool or a liar,” Winkler said. “What security is about is risk management. The more you elevate security, the more you’re raising the bar and the more exponentially you’re decreasing your risk.”

Recent Debate in Washington Raises Questions About the Role of Government

By Dan Sadowski

Last November, voters confirmed what many observers had predicted by delivering an overwhelming rebuke to higher spending and long-term incumbents. Across the country, “vote the bums out” was the refrain, demonstrating voters’ intolerance with their elected officials and a desire to send a message. Congressional Republicans benefited greatly from this new approach to “change,” taking over the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time since 2007. Given their perceived mandate, Republicans immediately attempted to repeal the health-care law and to address the sluggish economy, lackluster employment and skyrocketing spending by targeting government programs.

As is widely acknowledged, the United States has two fiscal problems. The first is short-term budget deficits for “discretionary programs” made worse by the recession. This includes categories such as transportation, education, health, agriculture and energy. Defense spending is generally considered nondiscretionary, and members of Congress approach cuts at their own peril. The second is comprised of structural problems with “entitlement programs,” whereby not enough money will be collected in the future to cover the expenses for those entitled to receive benefits. The programs include Social Security, Medicare and Food Stamps. Both issues need to be addressed.

In their rush to tackle both fiscal time bombs, the Republican leadership tipped its hand and provided an opportunity for Democrats to respond. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) issued the “Path to Prosperity,” a document that served as the Republican plan to reduce spending and trim government regulation. The plan also attempts to decrease funding to several long-standing social programs, including Medicare and Social Security benefits.

A focus of attention has been the plan’s proposal to gradually switch Medicare from a guaranteed entitlement to a federal voucher program, transferring potential liabilities from the government to the individual.

The voting public has sent mixed signals about its current position on these issues. While the electorate appears to still seek “change” by demanding limits on spending, there is a sense that certain reforms are off limits. The debate has recently shifted to the federal debt ceiling and the refusal to raise the limit on the amount of money the government can borrow. Voters appear to demand tighter fiscal restraint—but not necessarily at the expense of entitlements.

On the face of things, it appears that the electorate is voting one way but expecting a different result. While election results show that voters demand less government intrusion in their lives, the call for reform diminishes when programs, such as Medicare, are singled out. As evidenced by the recent special election in New York’s 26th Congressional District, voters will rebuff candidates linked to the plan to reduce Medicare spending. Given this result, are voters sending a message about how far they are willing to sacrifice to reduce the federal deficit?

While these issues will frame the debate as next year’s elections approach, the end result remains to be seen. Is the recent “showdown over spending” between Democrats and Republicans the discussion voters demanded or the beginning of a lengthy and contentious debate over what role government plays in our lives and at what cost? Included in the debate will be other social and economic issues, such as how to balance environmental and economic issues and how to pursue a national energy policy.

Perhaps voters are actually seeking “leadership” rather than change—lawmakers who are willing to identify solutions, explain to the public why the solutions are necessary and build consensus to enable the public to swallow bitter medicine that puts the nation on the path to long-term fiscal responsibility.

These issues—federal spending, deficit reduction and entitlement reform—directly confront our industry because we rely on a healthy and vibrant economy to market and sell our products. Whatever the result of this debate, SEMA remains on the front line in the fight against restrictive regulation and legislative threats to our businesses and our hobby. While it appears that restrictive legislation can be averted for the moment, SEMA continues to promote the strongest position for our membership to succeed within a changing regulatory structure.

Restoration Products and Trends

While “restoration” once referred to using only original or reproduction parts, the industry has come to also embrace the idea of mild modifications to classic vehicles. There is still a definite differentiation between a “restomod” and an all-out hot rod, but the lines have been subtly blurred.

This compilation of restoration products that were introduced at the 2010 SEMA Show runs the gamut from traditional numbers-matching reproductions to modernization components for handling and power. We’ve also interspersed comments from the owners and executives of some of the industry’s leading restoration specialists. Both say a lot about how the marketplace has changed.

Air Runner Prius TC-5 Air Suspension 714/978-2446 www.airrunnersystems.com PN: 1111 Winding roads and country lanes have never been so fun. A sleek digital interface is paired with five-way adjustable shocks to make suspension adjustments as simple as pressing a button from the driver’s seat. The TC-5 system comes with basic ride-height adjustment of 4 to 5 in.		Custom Autosound Manufacturing Inc. Secretaudio 800/888-8637 www.custom-autosound.com PN: secretaudio SST Secretaudio audio solution with an RF handheld remote LCD display. AM/FM radio with USB/iPod control/Sirius satellite input and remote CD changer control.
ClassicCarDatabase.com Auto Specs Online 303/252-0436 www.classiccardatabase.com The Classic Car Database is the PREMIER WEBSITE FOR AUTOMOBILE SPECIFICATIONS. This is the most extensive database of specifications for American automobiles (antique, classic, vintage and muscle cars) manufactured between 1910 and 1975.		Classic Industries/OER ’63–’66 Corvette Teak Steering Wheel Kit 800/854-1280 www.classicindustries.com PN: R5108 A ’63–’66 Corvette teak steering wheel kit. Quality reproduction of original simulated teak plastic steering wheel. Includes a steering wheel, a hub assembly, horn contact and a bowtie horn cap.
Air Runner Air Voice 714/978-2446 www.airrunnersystems.com PN: 3168 Sound-effects air-ride control. When adjusting ride height, the user is alerted to the vehicle’s height by a favorite sound or pre-recorded voice. Unique electronic sound effects are available.		Danchuk Manufacturing ’57 Door Belt Moldings, Hardtop and Convertible 800/854-6911 www.danchuk.com PN: 15671/15672 One-hundred percent made in the U.S.A. using top-quality tooling and stainless steel. These original reproduction moldings are located along the outside top edge of the door. Enjoy a perfect look and fit with these gems.

I’m starting to see a slowdown in the restoration of the big classic cars—Packards, V12 Cadillacs and other depression-era cars from the ’30s. Most of them have already been restored, and today’s consumers don’t really remember them. I’m seeing a lot more ’50s and ’60s and even ’70s cars that are going the restomod route. The owners are looking to keep the exteriors pretty stock, but they want upgrades, such as overdrive transmissions, four-wheel disc brakes and modified suspension to handle driving at highway speeds. I’m also getting questions from people who have bought an older restoration that they want to have freshened up. They want very mild body modifications and basic cleaning up. People today tend to use these cars, so they are much more concerned with being able to drive them. That’s part of the business now. You need to be pretty diverse to survive in this market, and you have to be able to provide one-stop shopping. Whether the shop subs out some of the work or handles the whole job on its own, people want one shop to take care of the project all the way through. —Lenny Schaeffer, Owner Chop Shop Customs Inc.

View More than 100 Restoration New Products and Expert Comments from the 2010 SEMA Show on PDF.

Drake Automotive Group ’64–’70 Classic Ford Mustang Engine Cap Set 800/999-0289 www.scottdrake.net PN: B-ECS Scott Drake Enterprises ’64–’73 classic Ford Mustang engine cap sets are machined billet- aluminum caps and handles with a clear anodized finish. Caps include stylish stamped insert with carbon-fiber pattern and raised lettering.		Drake Automotive Group ’69–’70 Classic Ford Mustang Small-Block High-Performance Oil Pan Baffle and Pick-Up Set 800/999-0289 www.scottdrake.net PN: C5ZZ-6675/22-K Scott Drake’s popular unpainted small-block high-performance oil pan with a baffle, tube and pick-up. Fit is the same design as used in the Boss 302, including the Boss 302-style oil pick-up.
Drake Automotive Group ’65–’67 Classic Ford Mustang Lighted Corral Pony 800/999-0289 www.scottdrake.net PN: C5ZZ-8213-LED Showcase your customer’s pony with the Scott Drake LED light kit for the Pony Grille Corral. Includes all wiring and a fitted reflector. Use with the existing Corral.		Drake Automotive Group ’65–’68 Classic Ford Mustang Pedal Cover Kit 800/999-0289 www.scottdrake.net PN: C5ZZ-BPPK Add the look of performance with Scott Drake’s billet aluminum pedal covers. Contoured for perfect fit, with an extended lip around perimeter. Fuel pedal complete replacement.
Drake Automotive Group ’66–’77 Classic Ford Bronco Billet Headlamp Door 800/999-0289 www.scottdrake.net PN: C6TZ-13064-BL Add modern style to your classic Bronco with Drake Off Road’s stout billet machined headlamp door trim rings. Includes stainless socket head cap screws.		Drake Automotive Group ’67–’77 Classic Ford Bronco Billet Taillamp Bezels 800/999-0289 www.scottdrake.net PN: C7TZ-99279A6/7B Add modern style to your classic Bronco with Drake Off Road’s billet machined taillamp bezels. Includes stainless socket head cap screws.

The restoration market seems to be recovering well from the recession. The biggest trend is the increase in the restoration of later-model vehicles. When I first started in this market 30 years ago, it was believed by many of us that anything newer than ’72 would never be restored. There are fewer “pure” restorations being done by amateur restorers. Most backyard restorers make small changes to items, such as the wheels and sound system. There are exceptions, but the great shops in our industry do most pure restorations. I have seen a major increase in resto-mods that retain the look of a classic with the dependability and power of a modern car. The truck and the nontraditional car markets—four-door cars, sedans, station wagons, etc.—have also both seen significant growth. The sky is the limit now. Retailers and shop owners have choices. There are very few parts in 2011 that retailers don’t have several brands to choose from. The flip side is that there are some sub-par parts on the market, and sometimes there is a reason that a great deal is so cheap. —Alex Tainsh, Executive Vice President, Parts Unlimited Inc.

View More than 100 Restoration New Products and Expert Comments from the 2010 SEMA Show on PDF.

 

A Guide to the New Tools & Equipment Products Introduced at the SEMA Show

Every business involved in the automotive specialty-equipment market has at least one thing in common: They all want to develop the most efficient way to provide customers with top-quality parts, assemblies or services. Finding the right tool for the right job can go a long way toward fulfilling that goal.

The 125 exhibitors in the Tool & Equipment section of the 2010 SEMA Show provided displays that covered more than 28,000 sq. ft. in the Las Vegas Convention Center, and they introduced nearly 130 items in the New Products Showcase. These offerings included applications for virtually every business in the industry. Ranging from test equipment to power tools and from cabinets to creepers, the Showcase was brimming with gear that could shave time and cost from any technician’s workload.

The accompanying guide to new Tools & Equipment products just might harbor the perfect hand or power tools and diagnostic or test equipment to make your company more effective. And even if you’re not in the market for a rotator ratchet or a new hex key set, what gearhead doesn’t enjoy browsing through the latest in tool technology?

Enjoy!

Bossco International Corp.
Cuff Lite
888/257-1460
www.bosscointernational.com
PN: 212

The HI:BEAM Cuff Lite is perfect for all activities where you need extra light. Whether you're working in the garage or in a tight, dark place you will now have bright illumination directly on your project so you no longer have to fumble with a flashlight or lantern.

LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

By Steve McDonald

Law and Order is an update of some of the most recent federal and state legislative and regulatory issues that could potentially impact the automotive specialty-equipment industry. These include issues affecting small-business owners and their employees.

California Diesel Parts:

Illinois Antique Vehicles:

SEMA-supported legislation to provide for an expanded-use antique-vehicle registration class that would allow antique vehicles and replicas to be driven without limitation during the warmer part of the year (April 1 through October 31) was approved unanimously by the full Illinois Senate. The bill has already been passed by the full Illinois House of Representatives and will now be sent to the governor for his signature and enactment into law. Under the bill, expanded-use antiques are limited to traveling to and from car shows, exhibitions, servicing or demonstration during the colder months (November 1 through March 31). Regular antique vehicle registration would still be available for a lower fee to hobbyists who would prefer operating their vehicles on only a limited-use basis throughout the year.

Nevada Emissions Exemption:

Governor Brian Sandoval signed into law SEMA-supported legislation to exempt classic vehicles and classic rods from emissions inspections if owners pay a one-time $6 fee and submit a certification that their vehicles will not be driven more than 5,000 miles per year. Under previous law, classic rods and classic vehicles were subject to a 2,500-mile-per-year limit to qualify for an emissions exemption and had to pass an initial two-speed idle emissions inspection to qualify. The owners of classic rods and classic vehicles were also required to certify each year that their vehicles had not been driven more than 2,500 miles during the previous year, and the certification had to be verified by a DMV emissions technician. Under the new law, the initial emissions inspection is no longer required.

Texas Street Rods/Customs:

Online Piracy:

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved a SEMA-supported bill to help combat online piracy and counterfeiting. The legislation would authorize the Department of Justice and intellectual property rights holders to pursue legal actions against rogue websites dedicated to selling counterfeit goods and copyrighted material. The sites are often foreign owned and operated. Courts would be authorized to issue orders requiring search engines in the United States to stop displaying advertising and links to infringing domain names and prevent consumer payments. The alleged infringer would have full due process protections, including the right to argue its case in court. The legislation would address the growing problem of online sales of counterfeit goods, whether specialty auto parts, pharmaceuticals or movies. These products cost thousands of American jobs, expose consumers to health and safety threats and tarnish business reputations. The bill has been sent to the Senate floor.

Wilderness:

New-Car Mileage Labels:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have expanded the amount of fuel-economy information contained on new-vehicle window stickers. Among other changes, the information will now include the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the vehicle. The agencies adopted a SEMA-supported approach to incorporate graphics, increase type size and use other visual tools to help focus consumer attention on fuel economy. The agencies abandoned a proposal to use an A–D letter grading system, which SEMA deemed to be too simplistic. Instead, cars will be ranked on a fleetwide 10-point scale for both fuel economy and greenhouse gas ratings and smog emissions. The labels are required on all new cars starting in 2013, although automakers and dealers may voluntarily use them sooner.