The annual "SEMA 2011 Market Report" is now available online here.

The annual "SEMA 2011 Market Report" is now available online here. The report, which provides an overview of where the specialty-equipment market stands at the end of 2010, is available to SEMA members at no cost.

Findings within the report show that U.S. retail sales of specialty automotive products in 2010 generated $28.6 billion, an increase of 2.4% compared to 2009. Considering that the market in 2009 experienced a 12.3% drop, an increase of 2.4% is an indication that a slow but steady growth may be starting in the market again.

Of the three main product segments examined in the report—accessory/appearance products, suspension and handling products, and performance products—the accessory/appearance products segment makes up 39% of the sales for the overall market. The report also includes an in-depth look at nine enthusiast niches within the specialty equipment market: compact performance, light truck, off-road, racing, restoration, restyling, street performance, street rod and custom and other.

The report is compiled from industry sources, consumer research and government statistics, and it includes information on specialty-equipment sales, details on specific market segments, consumer information and industry and economic trends.

To access this report and the other studies available through SEMA, visit the SEMA Market Research Department online. For additional information, contact Gavin Knapp at gavink@sema.org.

	The annual "SEMA 2011 Market Report" is now available online here.

The annual "SEMA 2011 Market Report" is now available online here. The report, which provides an overview of where the specialty-equipment market stands at the end of 2010, is available to SEMA members at no cost.

Findings within the report show that U.S. retail sales of specialty automotive products in 2010 generated $28.6 billion, an increase of 2.4% compared to 2009. Considering that the market in 2009 experienced a 12.3% drop, an increase of 2.4% is an indication that a slow but steady growth may be starting in the market again.

Of the three main product segments examined in the report—accessory/appearance products, suspension and handling products, and performance products—the accessory/appearance products segment makes up 39% of the sales for the overall market. The report also includes an in-depth look at nine enthusiast niches within the specialty equipment market: compact performance, light truck, off-road, racing, restoration, restyling, street performance, street rod and custom and other.

The report is compiled from industry sources, consumer research and government statistics, and it includes information on specialty-equipment sales, details on specific market segments, consumer information and industry and economic trends.

To access this report and the other studies available through SEMA, visit the SEMA Market Research Department online. For additional information, contact Gavin Knapp at gavink@sema.org.

	An advertisement for Willard Kendig's carburetor, used in a campaign with Dyno Don Nicholson.

Willard Zareh Kendig, owner of Kendig Service Center and Automotive Repair and famous for inventing the Kendig carburetor, passed away on Wednesday, May 4, in Yettem, California. At 91, Kendig leaves behind three children—Martin Kendig, Marcy Tarbell and Kristi Kendig.

Kendig's passion for performance began early on, as he tore across the local roadways on an old Indian motorcycle and then made the switch to competitive jalopy races and, ultimately, hydroplane boat races. At a young age, it wasn't just a love for speed that developed, but also an intense curiosity for the mechanics behind high performance.

"He tore down his first Model T at 12 years old," said Kendig's son Martin. "And put it back together again. My grandpa almost beat him to death. It was their only means of automotive transportation and Dad dismantled it."

In the ’60s, in a Yettem, California barn, Kendig built the first prototype for what would become the Kendig carburetor. Martin clearly remembers when his father first explained the new design to him, jolting him out of bed at 1:00 a.m.

"He was on his way from Los Angeles to Visalia and he goes, 'Marty, I came up with an idea on a carburetor,' and he said, 'this damn thing is so simple, it's hard.'" With only the mental blueprint to start with, Kendig got to work and before long the Kendig carburetor was born. The simple design proved to be a winner and found it's way under the hood of Dyno Don Nicholson's pinto in the early ’70s. It even found its way on to Rickey DeMontrond's boat when he won the USA 1 competition with several Kendigs attached to the craft's high-rise manifold. Eventually, the Kendig carburetor was transformed by Pollution Control Industries into a popular unit called the Predator carburetor.

In a write-up sent into the SEMA eNews office yesterday, Kendig's colleague and friend Larry Lion added that his flair for sophisticated yet simple, was also reflected in his revolutionary Kendig Sonic Fuel Injection System. The system was totally mechanical and involved no electronics. The system was elite enough to be approved by the United States Coast Guard, and yet the write-up Lion submitted states that it could be installed in less than one hour by the home do-it-yourselfer.

Despite his amazing career, Kendig was purely self taught, having only enrolled for one year of junior college. Similar to his creations, Martin explains his father's ability in a sophisticated, yet simple way, "He just operated on a different plane of existence than the rest of us."

In one final story Martin described an occasion when his father was stopped by California Highway Patrol (CHP) coming back up the Grapevine from Los Angeles. Kendig was coming to L.A. to share ideas and race against other speed part pioneers such as SEMA Hall of Fame members Ed Iskenderian and Phil Weiand. As he pulled to the shoulder of the road, he was certain that his '36 four-door hump-back sedan was going well within the speed limit. Kendig asked the officer, "What was I doin?" And the officer replied, "You weren't doin' nothing. I heard about this car, and I want to see your engine."

In that brief story, Willard Kendig's legacy is clearly stated. When Kendig was working on automobiles, people couldn't wait to see his latest and greatest creations.

Services for Mr. Kendig will be held Friday, May 13 at the Mount Ararat Cemetery located in Fresno, California, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all donations be made in Kendig's honor to the Central California VA Hospital System. Please send your contributions to VA Central California Health Care System, ATTN: Public Affairs, 2615 East Clinton Ave., Fresno, CA 93703.

---

This story was originally published on May 11, 2011. For more industry news, visit SEMANews.com and subscribe to SEMA News at the bottom of the webpage to get the latest updates straight to your inbox, twice a week.

	An advertisement for Willard Kendig's carburetor, used in a campaign with Dyno Don Nicholson.

Willard Zareh Kendig, owner of Kendig Service Center and Automotive Repair and famous for inventing the Kendig carburetor, passed away on Wednesday, May 4, in Yettem, California. At 91, Kendig leaves behind three children—Martin Kendig, Marcy Tarbell and Kristi Kendig.

Kendig's passion for performance began early on, as he tore across the local roadways on an old Indian motorcycle and then made the switch to competitive jalopy races and, ultimately, hydroplane boat races. At a young age, it wasn't just a love for speed that developed, but also an intense curiosity for the mechanics behind high performance.

"He tore down his first Model T at 12 years old," said Kendig's son Martin. "And put it back together again. My grandpa almost beat him to death. It was their only means of automotive transportation and Dad dismantled it."

In the ’60s, in a Yettem, California barn, Kendig built the first prototype for what would become the Kendig carburetor. Martin clearly remembers when his father first explained the new design to him, jolting him out of bed at 1:00 a.m.

"He was on his way from Los Angeles to Visalia and he goes, 'Marty, I came up with an idea on a carburetor,' and he said, 'this damn thing is so simple, it's hard.'" With only the mental blueprint to start with, Kendig got to work and before long the Kendig carburetor was born. The simple design proved to be a winner and found it's way under the hood of Dyno Don Nicholson's pinto in the early ’70s. It even found its way on to Rickey DeMontrond's boat when he won the USA 1 competition with several Kendigs attached to the craft's high-rise manifold. Eventually, the Kendig carburetor was transformed by Pollution Control Industries into a popular unit called the Predator carburetor.

In a write-up sent into the SEMA eNews office yesterday, Kendig's colleague and friend Larry Lion added that his flair for sophisticated yet simple, was also reflected in his revolutionary Kendig Sonic Fuel Injection System. The system was totally mechanical and involved no electronics. The system was elite enough to be approved by the United States Coast Guard, and yet the write-up Lion submitted states that it could be installed in less than one hour by the home do-it-yourselfer.

Despite his amazing career, Kendig was purely self taught, having only enrolled for one year of junior college. Similar to his creations, Martin explains his father's ability in a sophisticated, yet simple way, "He just operated on a different plane of existence than the rest of us."

In one final story Martin described an occasion when his father was stopped by California Highway Patrol (CHP) coming back up the Grapevine from Los Angeles. Kendig was coming to L.A. to share ideas and race against other speed part pioneers such as SEMA Hall of Fame members Ed Iskenderian and Phil Weiand. As he pulled to the shoulder of the road, he was certain that his '36 four-door hump-back sedan was going well within the speed limit. Kendig asked the officer, "What was I doin?" And the officer replied, "You weren't doin' nothing. I heard about this car, and I want to see your engine."

In that brief story, Willard Kendig's legacy is clearly stated. When Kendig was working on automobiles, people couldn't wait to see his latest and greatest creations.

Services for Mr. Kendig will be held Friday, May 13 at the Mount Ararat Cemetery located in Fresno, California, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all donations be made in Kendig's honor to the Central California VA Hospital System. Please send your contributions to VA Central California Health Care System, ATTN: Public Affairs, 2615 East Clinton Ave., Fresno, CA 93703.

---

This story was originally published on May 11, 2011. For more industry news, visit SEMANews.com and subscribe to SEMA News at the bottom of the webpage to get the latest updates straight to your inbox, twice a week.

	An advertisement for Willard Kendig's carburetor, used in a campaign with Dyno Don Nicholson.

Willard Zareh Kendig, owner of Kendig Service Center and Automotive Repair and famous for inventing the Kendig carburetor, passed away on Wednesday, May 4, in Yettem, California. At 91, Kendig leaves behind three children—Martin Kendig, Marcy Tarbell and Kristi Kendig.

Kendig's passion for performance began early on, as he tore across the local roadways on an old Indian motorcycle and then made the switch to competitive jalopy races and, ultimately, hydroplane boat races. At a young age, it wasn't just a love for speed that developed, but also an intense curiosity for the mechanics behind high performance.

"He tore down his first Model T at 12 years old," said Kendig's son Martin. "And put it back together again. My grandpa almost beat him to death. It was their only means of automotive transportation and Dad dismantled it."

In the ’60s, in a Yettem, California barn, Kendig built the first prototype for what would become the Kendig carburetor. Martin clearly remembers when his father first explained the new design to him, jolting him out of bed at 1:00 a.m.

"He was on his way from Los Angeles to Visalia and he goes, 'Marty, I came up with an idea on a carburetor,' and he said, 'this damn thing is so simple, it's hard.'" With only the mental blueprint to start with, Kendig got to work and before long the Kendig carburetor was born. The simple design proved to be a winner and found it's way under the hood of Dyno Don Nicholson's pinto in the early ’70s. It even found its way on to Rickey DeMontrond's boat when he won the USA 1 competition with several Kendigs attached to the craft's high-rise manifold. Eventually, the Kendig carburetor was transformed by Pollution Control Industries into a popular unit called the Predator carburetor.

In a write-up sent into the SEMA eNews office yesterday, Kendig's colleague and friend Larry Lion added that his flair for sophisticated yet simple, was also reflected in his revolutionary Kendig Sonic Fuel Injection System. The system was totally mechanical and involved no electronics. The system was elite enough to be approved by the United States Coast Guard, and yet the write-up Lion submitted states that it could be installed in less than one hour by the home do-it-yourselfer.

Despite his amazing career, Kendig was purely self taught, having only enrolled for one year of junior college. Similar to his creations, Martin explains his father's ability in a sophisticated, yet simple way, "He just operated on a different plane of existence than the rest of us."

In one final story Martin described an occasion when his father was stopped by California Highway Patrol (CHP) coming back up the Grapevine from Los Angeles. Kendig was coming to L.A. to share ideas and race against other speed part pioneers such as SEMA Hall of Fame members Ed Iskenderian and Phil Weiand. As he pulled to the shoulder of the road, he was certain that his '36 four-door hump-back sedan was going well within the speed limit. Kendig asked the officer, "What was I doin?" And the officer replied, "You weren't doin' nothing. I heard about this car, and I want to see your engine."

In that brief story, Willard Kendig's legacy is clearly stated. When Kendig was working on automobiles, people couldn't wait to see his latest and greatest creations.

Services for Mr. Kendig will be held Friday, May 13 at the Mount Ararat Cemetery located in Fresno, California, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all donations be made in Kendig's honor to the Central California VA Hospital System. Please send your contributions to VA Central California Health Care System, ATTN: Public Affairs, 2615 East Clinton Ave., Fresno, CA 93703.

---

This story was originally published on May 11, 2011. For more industry news, visit SEMANews.com and subscribe to SEMA News at the bottom of the webpage to get the latest updates straight to your inbox, twice a week.

	An advertisement for Willard Kendig's carburetor, used in a campaign with Dyno Don Nicholson.

Willard Zareh Kendig, owner of Kendig Service Center and Automotive Repair and famous for inventing the Kendig carburetor, passed away on Wednesday, May 4, in Yettem, California. At 91, Kendig leaves behind three children—Martin Kendig, Marcy Tarbell and Kristi Kendig.

Kendig's passion for performance began early on, as he tore across the local roadways on an old Indian motorcycle and then made the switch to competitive jalopy races and, ultimately, hydroplane boat races. At a young age, it wasn't just a love for speed that developed, but also an intense curiosity for the mechanics behind high performance.

"He tore down his first Model T at 12 years old," said Kendig's son Martin. "And put it back together again. My grandpa almost beat him to death. It was their only means of automotive transportation and Dad dismantled it."

In the ’60s, in a Yettem, California barn, Kendig built the first prototype for what would become the Kendig carburetor. Martin clearly remembers when his father first explained the new design to him, jolting him out of bed at 1:00 a.m.

"He was on his way from Los Angeles to Visalia and he goes, 'Marty, I came up with an idea on a carburetor,' and he said, 'this damn thing is so simple, it's hard.'" With only the mental blueprint to start with, Kendig got to work and before long the Kendig carburetor was born. The simple design proved to be a winner and found it's way under the hood of Dyno Don Nicholson's pinto in the early ’70s. It even found its way on to Rickey DeMontrond's boat when he won the USA 1 competition with several Kendigs attached to the craft's high-rise manifold. Eventually, the Kendig carburetor was transformed by Pollution Control Industries into a popular unit called the Predator carburetor.

In a write-up sent into the SEMA eNews office yesterday, Kendig's colleague and friend Larry Lion added that his flair for sophisticated yet simple, was also reflected in his revolutionary Kendig Sonic Fuel Injection System. The system was totally mechanical and involved no electronics. The system was elite enough to be approved by the United States Coast Guard, and yet the write-up Lion submitted states that it could be installed in less than one hour by the home do-it-yourselfer.

Despite his amazing career, Kendig was purely self taught, having only enrolled for one year of junior college. Similar to his creations, Martin explains his father's ability in a sophisticated, yet simple way, "He just operated on a different plane of existence than the rest of us."

In one final story Martin described an occasion when his father was stopped by California Highway Patrol (CHP) coming back up the Grapevine from Los Angeles. Kendig was coming to L.A. to share ideas and race against other speed part pioneers such as SEMA Hall of Fame members Ed Iskenderian and Phil Weiand. As he pulled to the shoulder of the road, he was certain that his '36 four-door hump-back sedan was going well within the speed limit. Kendig asked the officer, "What was I doin?" And the officer replied, "You weren't doin' nothing. I heard about this car, and I want to see your engine."

In that brief story, Willard Kendig's legacy is clearly stated. When Kendig was working on automobiles, people couldn't wait to see his latest and greatest creations.

Services for Mr. Kendig will be held Friday, May 13 at the Mount Ararat Cemetery located in Fresno, California, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all donations be made in Kendig's honor to the Central California VA Hospital System. Please send your contributions to VA Central California Health Care System, ATTN: Public Affairs, 2615 East Clinton Ave., Fresno, CA 93703.

---

This story was originally published on May 11, 2011. For more industry news, visit SEMANews.com and subscribe to SEMA News at the bottom of the webpage to get the latest updates straight to your inbox, twice a week.

 

So far, there are 233 new companies exhibiting at the 2011 SEMA Show.

To date, the number of first-time exhibitors signed up to attend the 2011 SEMA Show—to be held November 1–4 in Las Vegas—has grown to 233. Each year, the association welcomes hundreds of new exhibitors to the Show and this year is no exception.

The influx of new exhibitors presents a fresh opportunity for buyers to get a first-hand look at the latest product and service offerings and to connect with companies with whom they may have never conducted business.

It’s not too late to secure a booth for the 2011 SEMA Show. For more information on the SEMA Show go to www.SEMAShow.com.

Click here to view the list of first-time exhibitors, as of May 11, 2011. Click here to view the entire exhibitor list.

 

So far, there are 233 new companies exhibiting at the 2011 SEMA Show.

To date, the number of first-time exhibitors signed up to attend the 2011 SEMA Show—to be held November 1–4 in Las Vegas—has grown to 233. Each year, the association welcomes hundreds of new exhibitors to the Show and this year is no exception.

The influx of new exhibitors presents a fresh opportunity for buyers to get a first-hand look at the latest product and service offerings and to connect with companies with whom they may have never conducted business.

It’s not too late to secure a booth for the 2011 SEMA Show. For more information on the SEMA Show go to www.SEMAShow.com.

Click here to view the list of first-time exhibitors, as of May 11, 2011. Click here to view the entire exhibitor list.

Spotted several times throughout the year in Germany, this John Cooper Works Coupe was caught in the lenses of the shooters at Brenda Priddy & Co. while on a test run in Michigan.

Judging by the aggressive fascias, sportier wheels and brakes, center-mount dual exhaust and unique rocker panels, Priddy says that it's obvious this MINI is faster than most.

According to Priddy, this production model doesn't vary much from the MINI Coupe Concept that debuted at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, carrying a steeply raked windshield and a very abrupt greenhouse. There is also a small, retractable spoiler hiding under the swirly camo.

Priddy says that tucked under the hood should be the 208hp, 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a smaller gasoline or diesel motor should be offered on the regular model as well. Watch for the official debut later this year.

Photo Credit: Brian Williams/Brenda Priddy & Company

Spotted several times throughout the year in Germany, this John Cooper Works Coupe was caught in the lenses of the shooters at Brenda Priddy & Co. while on a test run in Michigan.

Judging by the aggressive fascias, sportier wheels and brakes, center-mount dual exhaust and unique rocker panels, Priddy says that it's obvious this MINI is faster than most.

According to Priddy, this production model doesn't vary much from the MINI Coupe Concept that debuted at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, carrying a steeply raked windshield and a very abrupt greenhouse. There is also a small, retractable spoiler hiding under the swirly camo.

Priddy says that tucked under the hood should be the 208hp, 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a smaller gasoline or diesel motor should be offered on the regular model as well. Watch for the official debut later this year.

Photo Credit: Brian Williams/Brenda Priddy & Company