Scott O'Toole, presenting here at the 2008 SEMA Show, will lead a webinar explaining how PIES will help businesses move more product.

No one can afford to lose sales, but many companies miss out on profitability by not following one simple procedure: ensuring that they offer customers complete and informative product information. Properly presented product data can boost a company’s image, increase sales, lower product return rates and improve product exposure.

Scott O’Toole, principal and founder of RPM Data Services, is a 28-year veteran of the performance and OEM industry. In his revealing new SEMA webinar entitled “Boost Profitability With Proper Product Data,” O’Toole will explain in easy-to-understand language how using the standardized Product Information Exchange Standards (PIES) will help your company sell more parts. The session is set for Thursday, August 12, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. (PDT).

Topics include:

• Essential product information
• Crucial quality and accuracy
• Bad information that causes big problems
• How to populate and share data
• Benefits of using proper data

O’Toole is a well-known industry author and speaker, and his company is a leader in the field of product data solutions, concentrating on high-performance and racing aftermarket parts distribution.

Join him live for “Boost Profitability With Proper Product Data,” or download the webinar at your convenience. Visit www.SEMA.org/events/webinars to register. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Following are dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, webinars and activities. Click on an item for more details.

The U.S. Senate was unable to agree on a SEMA-supported bill (H.R. 5297) to provide smaller banks with access to $30 billion in funds intended to be loaned to small businesses. While the Senate may reconsider the measure, the defeat meant that the House of Representatives would not consider the bill in the near future since House members will be working in their home districts during August. During the debate, SEMA sent a letter urging the Senate to also repeal a requirement that taxpayers with business income issue 1099 forms to all vendors from whom they buy more than $600 of goods or services in any year, beginning in 2012.

Besides pumping $30 billion into the banking system for loans, the Senate bill would also extend the bonus depreciation through 2010. In 2008 and 2009, all businesses were permitted to immediately write off 50% of the cost of new equipment (“bonus depreciation”). The depreciation expired at the end of 2009. SEMA contends the depreciation write-off encourages companies to invest in newer, more efficient equipment and spurs sales and creates jobs. The Senate bill would also expand and extend the Section 179 program, allowing companies to write-off up to $500,000 in capital expenditures in tax years 2010 and 2011, double the current limit for 2010.

The legislation needs a “super majority” of 60 Senate votes for passage. No Republicans have supported the bill to date, voicing concerns about procedural issues and the fact that the $30 billion would come from unspent money in the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). SEMA is working with the National Federation of Independent Business and National Association of Manufacturers in support of the legislation.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

The U.S. Senate was unable to agree on a SEMA-supported bill (H.R. 5297) to provide smaller banks with access to $30 billion in funds intended to be loaned to small businesses. While the Senate may reconsider the measure, the defeat meant that the House of Representatives would not consider the bill in the near future since House members will be working in their home districts during August. During the debate, SEMA sent a letter urging the Senate to also repeal a requirement that taxpayers with business income issue 1099 forms to all vendors from whom they buy more than $600 of goods or services in any year, beginning in 2012.

Besides pumping $30 billion into the banking system for loans, the Senate bill would also extend the bonus depreciation through 2010. In 2008 and 2009, all businesses were permitted to immediately write off 50% of the cost of new equipment (“bonus depreciation”). The depreciation expired at the end of 2009. SEMA contends the depreciation write-off encourages companies to invest in newer, more efficient equipment and spurs sales and creates jobs. The Senate bill would also expand and extend the Section 179 program, allowing companies to write-off up to $500,000 in capital expenditures in tax years 2010 and 2011, double the current limit for 2010.

The legislation needs a “super majority” of 60 Senate votes for passage. No Republicans have supported the bill to date, voicing concerns about procedural issues and the fact that the $30 billion would come from unspent money in the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). SEMA is working with the National Federation of Independent Business and National Association of Manufacturers in support of the legislation.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

	Chinese tuning shops close to Ford and Volkswagen plants tend to specialize in parts and installations for those respective brands.

Tuner shops in China are looking for imported performance-enhancing accessories such as suspensions, turbochargers, intake valves and brakes. Shock absorbers, body kits and wheels are the top three modifications at Beijing Tuning Shop, a business owned by Zhang Yu that primarily works on Japanese cars. Body kits and wheels are popular with customers of Lu Feng's Taisen Car Service Company in Beijing. Lu says he mainly works on German models. Other shops SEMA talked to work almost exclusively on Fords.

SEMA members can introduce their products to potential Chinese distributors and tuner shops such as these at the SEMA CIAPE Business Development Conference in Beijing in late September. Participating SEMA members will be paired with relevant Chinese buyers in up to a dozen private, pre-scheduled meetings. One-on-one meetings with potential Chinese partners at this ground-breaking event will allow you to get to know them and the market.

Tuner shops say their clients typically spend up to $7,400 on modifications. The models they work on reflect which automakers are producing cars in China and where they're building them. Volkswagen has produced the Volkswagen and Audi brands through a joint venture in northern China near Beijing for decades. BMW produces cars in China near Beijing, as well. So it’s no surprise that Taisen Car Service of Beijing works on mainly VW, Audi and BMW brand vehicles.

Ford produces the Focus at a joint venture in Chongqing in southwestern China. And a local shop does a thriving business modifying Ford Focus, said the shop owner. Popular modifications include wheel rims, shock absorbers, exhausts and brakes and the company works with local dealerships to promote modification.

You can meet these and other Chinese wholesalers and retailers at the SEMA CIAPE Business Development Conference. For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit www.sema.org/china.

	Chinese tuning shops close to Ford and Volkswagen plants tend to specialize in parts and installations for those respective brands.

Tuner shops in China are looking for imported performance-enhancing accessories such as suspensions, turbochargers, intake valves and brakes. Shock absorbers, body kits and wheels are the top three modifications at Beijing Tuning Shop, a business owned by Zhang Yu that primarily works on Japanese cars. Body kits and wheels are popular with customers of Lu Feng's Taisen Car Service Company in Beijing. Lu says he mainly works on German models. Other shops SEMA talked to work almost exclusively on Fords.

SEMA members can introduce their products to potential Chinese distributors and tuner shops such as these at the SEMA CIAPE Business Development Conference in Beijing in late September. Participating SEMA members will be paired with relevant Chinese buyers in up to a dozen private, pre-scheduled meetings. One-on-one meetings with potential Chinese partners at this ground-breaking event will allow you to get to know them and the market.

Tuner shops say their clients typically spend up to $7,400 on modifications. The models they work on reflect which automakers are producing cars in China and where they're building them. Volkswagen has produced the Volkswagen and Audi brands through a joint venture in northern China near Beijing for decades. BMW produces cars in China near Beijing, as well. So it’s no surprise that Taisen Car Service of Beijing works on mainly VW, Audi and BMW brand vehicles.

Ford produces the Focus at a joint venture in Chongqing in southwestern China. And a local shop does a thriving business modifying Ford Focus, said the shop owner. Popular modifications include wheel rims, shock absorbers, exhausts and brakes and the company works with local dealerships to promote modification.

You can meet these and other Chinese wholesalers and retailers at the SEMA CIAPE Business Development Conference. For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit www.sema.org/china.

Beginning September 1, 2010, the Indonesian government will require that labels written in Indonesian be affixed to a range of products, including auto parts. All manufacturers or importers of regulated goods must include information such as name, importer contact information, country of origin and contact information if the product is locally manufactured in the Indonesian language.

For a copy of this new Indonesian Ministry of Trade requirement, contact Casey Kooiman at caseyk@sema.org.

Beginning September 1, 2010, the Indonesian government will require that labels written in Indonesian be affixed to a range of products, including auto parts. All manufacturers or importers of regulated goods must include information such as name, importer contact information, country of origin and contact information if the product is locally manufactured in the Indonesian language.

For a copy of this new Indonesian Ministry of Trade requirement, contact Casey Kooiman at caseyk@sema.org.

A photo collection of Mitsubishi EVOs and other models at the 2009 SEMA Show. The images are part of the Cool Rides photo database available at www.enjoythedrive.com. The database is searchable by make, model, year, exhibiting company name and more.

A photo collection of Mitsubishi EVOs and other models at the 2009 SEMA Show. The images are part of the Cool Rides photo database available at www.enjoythedrive.com. The database is searchable by make, model, year, exhibiting company name and more.