Wed, 07/01/2015 - 17:23

SEMA Member News—July/August 2015

McGuire and Reinhardt Lead TORA Toward the Future

 Lee McGuire
Lee McGuire of Superlift Suspension Systems became the TORA chair.
  

The Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) installed new leadership on July 1. Lee McGuire, the new chair, first joined the aftermarket industry in 2003. She brings a great deal of volunteer experience to the position, having served previously on the select committees of the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC), the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network and the Young Executives Network. McGuire is currently the Superlift Suspension Systems director of marketing.

Kathryn Reinhardt, marketing manager at MagnaFlow, is McGuire’s right hand as chair-elect. Reinhardt has served on the TORA select committee since 2012. McGuire and Reinhardt shared their leadership goals in a recent interview with SEMA Member News.

SEMA Member News: Why are you involved in TORA?

Lee McGuire: I am involved in the council because I feel that SEMA and this industry have given me so much personally and professionally; it is the perfect way to give back. I also feel that I can make sure the needs of members are well represented as part of this council, as I know a number of people in the industry. Hearing what they need and helping give them a voice is very rewarding.

Kathryn Reinhardt
Kathryn Reinhardt of MagnaFlow is the TORA chair-elect.
 
  

Kathryn Reinhardt: I am involved because it’s the right thing to do. Volunteering my time is not easy, but the value in the time I get with SEMA staff, industry leaders and customers is time I can’t get anywhere else. I get to sit next to these knowledgeable people who really care about strengthening the aftermarket and want to do their best to elevate their companies. It’s an experience that you
can’t get or recreate anywhere else.

SMN: What value do you find in SEMA council membership?

LM: We feel that our council membership is important because it ensures that we have a voice not only as a company but as a market segment, and we have a way to have an impact and make our
needs known.

KR: MagnaFlow sees participating in the SEMA councils as a way to learn. We want our staff to learn more about the industry, learn more about how the company interacts and more about themselves and their needs. Council membership provides firsthand experience for people who want to better their careers and better their company’s stature.

SMN: What do you hope to accomplish during your term?

LM: I hope to continue so many of the great programs in place, such as the Media Preview and our big involvement with the Pinewood Drags benefiting SEMA Cares. Something I hope to really grow during my term is the number of members at large who get activated and engaged in task forces and working on projects that move the council forward.

KR: I am excited to meet more members. The membership is the lifeline of the group. I want to know more about what TORA can do for them to make businesses better, to increase their revenues and to gather new customers.

SMN: Why should companies join the council?

LM: Companies should join this council for the many member-specific benefits, such as access to great TORA data through SEMA Education, the opportunity to participate in the Media Preview and a host of other tangible benefits you can take advantage of right away. Being part of the council also gives you an avenue to network with other companies in your segment, and the great reception held at the SEMA Show is a perfect example of that. We hope you will all join us at that and other networking functions throughout the year.

KR: What do you have to lose? Joining a council allows you to reach and communicate with industry peers you may never have met before. It allows you to be open to industry needs and work together for the betterment of the aftermarket. It allows you to be informed and to learn new best practices from industry leaders. I can’t think of a reason not to join.

SMN: What have you and your company gained from your council involvement?

LM: The networking I have gained from being involved as a SEMA volunteer has been invaluable! You learn so much from all the volunteers that pull together for the good of
the industry.

KR: I have gained new relationships with great people. I have learned about industry topics affecting multiple segments and I have gained new insight to develop new programs for MagnaFlow.

Wed, 07/01/2015 - 17:16

SEMA News—July 2015

INTERNATIONAL

By Linda Spencer

What Global Customers Drive

Jeep Wranglers in China
China is the fourth largest market for Jeep Wranglers after North America—the United State and Canada—and Australia. Between 2005–2013, 19,294 Jeep Wranglers were sold in China. In 2013, China moved ahead of Australia to claim the number-three spot after the United States and Canada. Photo courtesy of JeepV

The Ford Mustang, Jeep Wrangler and Chevrolet Silverado pickup were winners of the 2014 SEMA Awards, recognizing the year’s hottest vehicles. Does your company make products for those vehicles? Do you sell your products primarily in the United States? If you answered yes to both of these questions but want to expand your sales outside the United States, SEMA’s make/model data can help you get started by giving you easy-to-use information that will help you identify the best markets in terms of vehicle registrations. Through a joint program with the U.S. Department of Commerce and IHS Automotive, SEMA has complied the data into a user-friendly resource. Here are some examples:

Jeep reported record-breaking sales of more than 1 million units last year and plans to double that figure in five years. So which are the most important markets for Jeeps? A glance at the data reveals that the top-20 slots span North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The top 20 global markets for all Jeeps (in terms of sales) for 2005–2013 were:

the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Australia, Venezuela, Italy, Germany, South Africa, United Kingdom, Chile, France, Japan, Spain, Russia, Brazil, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, and Egypt.

Manufacturers of products for Jeep Wranglers might be interested in narrowing the search to the top 20 Jeep Wrangler sales markets globally during that same period, which would enable them to extend the pool of vehicles for their products. That list includes: the United States, Canada, Australia, China, Mexico, Greece, Italy, Japan, Germany, France, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Spain, Chile, Egypt, United Kingdom, Colombia, Saudi Arabia and Portugal.

Interested in the best markets for products fitting Ford’s F-Series pickups? SEMA’s statistics reveal that the top-selling markets are the United States, Canada and Mexico, with South America being the next largest market. Farther afield, the Middle East is another big market for these vehicles. The list includes: the United States, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Ecuador, Qatar, Kuwait and Israel.

What if you manufacture products for pickups and want to explore whether you make applications that would fit the market in the United Kingdom? SEMA’s data can help you learn about the top-selling trucks in that market: the Mitsubishi L200, Nissan Navara, Toyota HiLux, Isuzu Rodeo D-Max, and Ford Ranger.

Or help identify the most popular SUVs in terms of sales in the United Arab Emirates: Toyota Land Cruiser 100, Toyota Land Cruiser 90, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Santa Fe, Lexus LX, Toyota RAV4, Lexus RX, Mitsubishi Pajero/Shogun, Nissan Patrol, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sorento, Hyundai iX35, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Armada, and Toyota FJ Cruiser.

Vehicles Not Sold in the United States
SEMA International Vehicle Data Program
SEMA has a program to import and make available to members to measure vehicles which are globally popular with enthusiasts and but not sold in the United States so that U.S. companies can prototype export-ready product. This program is made possible through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce. More than 300 companies have measured the Toyota HiLux or one of the other international vehicles imported through this program, including a Ford Ranger T6, Mitsubishi L200 and UAZ Hunter. Sales data for 2005–2013 for each of these popular overseas vehicles are available through the SEMA international vehicle data program.

There is much talk about moving toward global vehicles—one model of each for the world, i.e., the new Ford Mustang will be exported by Ford to 140 countries from its facility in Michigan. But what about vehicles not sold in the United States? SEMA can help you identify the hottest vehicles/markets for vehicles popularly accessorized globally but not sold in the United States. The SEMA data breaks down sales not only by country but also by make.

For example, here are the top markets for the best-selling Toyota HiLux 1-ton truck, with more than 5 million sold since its introduction: Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Malaysia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Peru, United Kingdom, Mexico, Qatar and Chile.

SEMA has created a program to help members overcome the hurdles of making products for vehicles that are popular in key international markets but are not available in the United States. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, SEMA launched a program in July 2012 to provide measuring opportunities for such vehicles. More than 180 companies have already measured the initial vehicles—a ’12 Toyota HiLux double-cab 4x4 and a ’13 Ford Ranger T6 4x4 double-cab—to allow them to prototype and create export-ready products. These vehicles are available to SEMA-member manufacturers to measure free of charge at the new SEMA Garage, adjacent to SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California.

The ’12 HiLux will soon be re-exported, because there is a three-year limit on the importation of vehicles not made in the United States but brought for initiatives such as the SEMA measuring program. SEMA will be importing an all-new ’16 Toyota HiLux double-cab 4x4 for members to measure as soon as it’s available.

In an all-new program available to members, SEMA is partnering with the U.S. Department of Commerce to organize measuring sessions abroad in connection with the association’s overseas business-development programs in Russia, China and the Middle East. SEMA members will be able to measure top vehicles in those markets that are not sold in the United States. For example, among the vehicles available for measuring at the March 2015 SEMA measuring session in the United Arab Emirates were the ’15 Toyota HiLux, ’15 Mitsubishi L200 and ’15 Ford Ranger as well as the Toyota Land Cruiser (both new and older models) and the Nissan Patrol (new and older models).

To download SEMA’s vehicle data, visit www.sema.org/international or contact Linda Spencer via e-mail at lindas@sema.org.

Wed, 07/01/2015 - 17:16

SEMA News—July 2015

INTERNATIONAL

By Linda Spencer

What Global Customers Drive

Jeep Wranglers in China
China is the fourth largest market for Jeep Wranglers after North America—the United State and Canada—and Australia. Between 2005–2013, 19,294 Jeep Wranglers were sold in China. In 2013, China moved ahead of Australia to claim the number-three spot after the United States and Canada. Photo courtesy of JeepV

The Ford Mustang, Jeep Wrangler and Chevrolet Silverado pickup were winners of the 2014 SEMA Awards, recognizing the year’s hottest vehicles. Does your company make products for those vehicles? Do you sell your products primarily in the United States? If you answered yes to both of these questions but want to expand your sales outside the United States, SEMA’s make/model data can help you get started by giving you easy-to-use information that will help you identify the best markets in terms of vehicle registrations. Through a joint program with the U.S. Department of Commerce and IHS Automotive, SEMA has complied the data into a user-friendly resource. Here are some examples:

Jeep reported record-breaking sales of more than 1 million units last year and plans to double that figure in five years. So which are the most important markets for Jeeps? A glance at the data reveals that the top-20 slots span North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The top 20 global markets for all Jeeps (in terms of sales) for 2005–2013 were:

the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Australia, Venezuela, Italy, Germany, South Africa, United Kingdom, Chile, France, Japan, Spain, Russia, Brazil, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, and Egypt.

Manufacturers of products for Jeep Wranglers might be interested in narrowing the search to the top 20 Jeep Wrangler sales markets globally during that same period, which would enable them to extend the pool of vehicles for their products. That list includes: the United States, Canada, Australia, China, Mexico, Greece, Italy, Japan, Germany, France, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Spain, Chile, Egypt, United Kingdom, Colombia, Saudi Arabia and Portugal.

Interested in the best markets for products fitting Ford’s F-Series pickups? SEMA’s statistics reveal that the top-selling markets are the United States, Canada and Mexico, with South America being the next largest market. Farther afield, the Middle East is another big market for these vehicles. The list includes: the United States, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Ecuador, Qatar, Kuwait and Israel.

What if you manufacture products for pickups and want to explore whether you make applications that would fit the market in the United Kingdom? SEMA’s data can help you learn about the top-selling trucks in that market: the Mitsubishi L200, Nissan Navara, Toyota HiLux, Isuzu Rodeo D-Max, and Ford Ranger.

Or help identify the most popular SUVs in terms of sales in the United Arab Emirates: Toyota Land Cruiser 100, Toyota Land Cruiser 90, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Santa Fe, Lexus LX, Toyota RAV4, Lexus RX, Mitsubishi Pajero/Shogun, Nissan Patrol, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sorento, Hyundai iX35, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Armada, and Toyota FJ Cruiser.

Vehicles Not Sold in the United States
SEMA International Vehicle Data Program
SEMA has a program to import and make available to members to measure vehicles which are globally popular with enthusiasts and but not sold in the United States so that U.S. companies can prototype export-ready product. This program is made possible through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce. More than 300 companies have measured the Toyota HiLux or one of the other international vehicles imported through this program, including a Ford Ranger T6, Mitsubishi L200 and UAZ Hunter. Sales data for 2005–2013 for each of these popular overseas vehicles are available through the SEMA international vehicle data program.

There is much talk about moving toward global vehicles—one model of each for the world, i.e., the new Ford Mustang will be exported by Ford to 140 countries from its facility in Michigan. But what about vehicles not sold in the United States? SEMA can help you identify the hottest vehicles/markets for vehicles popularly accessorized globally but not sold in the United States. The SEMA data breaks down sales not only by country but also by make.

For example, here are the top markets for the best-selling Toyota HiLux 1-ton truck, with more than 5 million sold since its introduction: Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Malaysia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Peru, United Kingdom, Mexico, Qatar and Chile.

SEMA has created a program to help members overcome the hurdles of making products for vehicles that are popular in key international markets but are not available in the United States. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, SEMA launched a program in July 2012 to provide measuring opportunities for such vehicles. More than 180 companies have already measured the initial vehicles—a ’12 Toyota HiLux double-cab 4x4 and a ’13 Ford Ranger T6 4x4 double-cab—to allow them to prototype and create export-ready products. These vehicles are available to SEMA-member manufacturers to measure free of charge at the new SEMA Garage, adjacent to SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California.

The ’12 HiLux will soon be re-exported, because there is a three-year limit on the importation of vehicles not made in the United States but brought for initiatives such as the SEMA measuring program. SEMA will be importing an all-new ’16 Toyota HiLux double-cab 4x4 for members to measure as soon as it’s available.

In an all-new program available to members, SEMA is partnering with the U.S. Department of Commerce to organize measuring sessions abroad in connection with the association’s overseas business-development programs in Russia, China and the Middle East. SEMA members will be able to measure top vehicles in those markets that are not sold in the United States. For example, among the vehicles available for measuring at the March 2015 SEMA measuring session in the United Arab Emirates were the ’15 Toyota HiLux, ’15 Mitsubishi L200 and ’15 Ford Ranger as well as the Toyota Land Cruiser (both new and older models) and the Nissan Patrol (new and older models).

To download SEMA’s vehicle data, visit www.sema.org/international or contact Linda Spencer via e-mail at lindas@sema.org.

Wed, 07/01/2015 - 17:16

SEMA News—July 2015

INTERNATIONAL

By Linda Spencer

What Global Customers Drive

Jeep Wranglers in China
China is the fourth largest market for Jeep Wranglers after North America—the United State and Canada—and Australia. Between 2005–2013, 19,294 Jeep Wranglers were sold in China. In 2013, China moved ahead of Australia to claim the number-three spot after the United States and Canada. Photo courtesy of JeepV

The Ford Mustang, Jeep Wrangler and Chevrolet Silverado pickup were winners of the 2014 SEMA Awards, recognizing the year’s hottest vehicles. Does your company make products for those vehicles? Do you sell your products primarily in the United States? If you answered yes to both of these questions but want to expand your sales outside the United States, SEMA’s make/model data can help you get started by giving you easy-to-use information that will help you identify the best markets in terms of vehicle registrations. Through a joint program with the U.S. Department of Commerce and IHS Automotive, SEMA has complied the data into a user-friendly resource. Here are some examples:

Jeep reported record-breaking sales of more than 1 million units last year and plans to double that figure in five years. So which are the most important markets for Jeeps? A glance at the data reveals that the top-20 slots span North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The top 20 global markets for all Jeeps (in terms of sales) for 2005–2013 were:

the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Australia, Venezuela, Italy, Germany, South Africa, United Kingdom, Chile, France, Japan, Spain, Russia, Brazil, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, and Egypt.

Manufacturers of products for Jeep Wranglers might be interested in narrowing the search to the top 20 Jeep Wrangler sales markets globally during that same period, which would enable them to extend the pool of vehicles for their products. That list includes: the United States, Canada, Australia, China, Mexico, Greece, Italy, Japan, Germany, France, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Spain, Chile, Egypt, United Kingdom, Colombia, Saudi Arabia and Portugal.

Interested in the best markets for products fitting Ford’s F-Series pickups? SEMA’s statistics reveal that the top-selling markets are the United States, Canada and Mexico, with South America being the next largest market. Farther afield, the Middle East is another big market for these vehicles. The list includes: the United States, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Ecuador, Qatar, Kuwait and Israel.

What if you manufacture products for pickups and want to explore whether you make applications that would fit the market in the United Kingdom? SEMA’s data can help you learn about the top-selling trucks in that market: the Mitsubishi L200, Nissan Navara, Toyota HiLux, Isuzu Rodeo D-Max, and Ford Ranger.

Or help identify the most popular SUVs in terms of sales in the United Arab Emirates: Toyota Land Cruiser 100, Toyota Land Cruiser 90, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Santa Fe, Lexus LX, Toyota RAV4, Lexus RX, Mitsubishi Pajero/Shogun, Nissan Patrol, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sorento, Hyundai iX35, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Armada, and Toyota FJ Cruiser.

Vehicles Not Sold in the United States
SEMA International Vehicle Data Program
SEMA has a program to import and make available to members to measure vehicles which are globally popular with enthusiasts and but not sold in the United States so that U.S. companies can prototype export-ready product. This program is made possible through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce. More than 300 companies have measured the Toyota HiLux or one of the other international vehicles imported through this program, including a Ford Ranger T6, Mitsubishi L200 and UAZ Hunter. Sales data for 2005–2013 for each of these popular overseas vehicles are available through the SEMA international vehicle data program.

There is much talk about moving toward global vehicles—one model of each for the world, i.e., the new Ford Mustang will be exported by Ford to 140 countries from its facility in Michigan. But what about vehicles not sold in the United States? SEMA can help you identify the hottest vehicles/markets for vehicles popularly accessorized globally but not sold in the United States. The SEMA data breaks down sales not only by country but also by make.

For example, here are the top markets for the best-selling Toyota HiLux 1-ton truck, with more than 5 million sold since its introduction: Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Malaysia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Peru, United Kingdom, Mexico, Qatar and Chile.

SEMA has created a program to help members overcome the hurdles of making products for vehicles that are popular in key international markets but are not available in the United States. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, SEMA launched a program in July 2012 to provide measuring opportunities for such vehicles. More than 180 companies have already measured the initial vehicles—a ’12 Toyota HiLux double-cab 4x4 and a ’13 Ford Ranger T6 4x4 double-cab—to allow them to prototype and create export-ready products. These vehicles are available to SEMA-member manufacturers to measure free of charge at the new SEMA Garage, adjacent to SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California.

The ’12 HiLux will soon be re-exported, because there is a three-year limit on the importation of vehicles not made in the United States but brought for initiatives such as the SEMA measuring program. SEMA will be importing an all-new ’16 Toyota HiLux double-cab 4x4 for members to measure as soon as it’s available.

In an all-new program available to members, SEMA is partnering with the U.S. Department of Commerce to organize measuring sessions abroad in connection with the association’s overseas business-development programs in Russia, China and the Middle East. SEMA members will be able to measure top vehicles in those markets that are not sold in the United States. For example, among the vehicles available for measuring at the March 2015 SEMA measuring session in the United Arab Emirates were the ’15 Toyota HiLux, ’15 Mitsubishi L200 and ’15 Ford Ranger as well as the Toyota Land Cruiser (both new and older models) and the Nissan Patrol (new and older models).

To download SEMA’s vehicle data, visit www.sema.org/international or contact Linda Spencer via e-mail at lindas@sema.org.

Wed, 07/01/2015 - 17:16

SEMA News—July 2015

INTERNATIONAL

By Linda Spencer

What Global Customers Drive

Jeep Wranglers in China
China is the fourth largest market for Jeep Wranglers after North America—the United State and Canada—and Australia. Between 2005–2013, 19,294 Jeep Wranglers were sold in China. In 2013, China moved ahead of Australia to claim the number-three spot after the United States and Canada. Photo courtesy of JeepV

The Ford Mustang, Jeep Wrangler and Chevrolet Silverado pickup were winners of the 2014 SEMA Awards, recognizing the year’s hottest vehicles. Does your company make products for those vehicles? Do you sell your products primarily in the United States? If you answered yes to both of these questions but want to expand your sales outside the United States, SEMA’s make/model data can help you get started by giving you easy-to-use information that will help you identify the best markets in terms of vehicle registrations. Through a joint program with the U.S. Department of Commerce and IHS Automotive, SEMA has complied the data into a user-friendly resource. Here are some examples:

Jeep reported record-breaking sales of more than 1 million units last year and plans to double that figure in five years. So which are the most important markets for Jeeps? A glance at the data reveals that the top-20 slots span North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The top 20 global markets for all Jeeps (in terms of sales) for 2005–2013 were:

the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Australia, Venezuela, Italy, Germany, South Africa, United Kingdom, Chile, France, Japan, Spain, Russia, Brazil, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, and Egypt.

Manufacturers of products for Jeep Wranglers might be interested in narrowing the search to the top 20 Jeep Wrangler sales markets globally during that same period, which would enable them to extend the pool of vehicles for their products. That list includes: the United States, Canada, Australia, China, Mexico, Greece, Italy, Japan, Germany, France, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Spain, Chile, Egypt, United Kingdom, Colombia, Saudi Arabia and Portugal.

Interested in the best markets for products fitting Ford’s F-Series pickups? SEMA’s statistics reveal that the top-selling markets are the United States, Canada and Mexico, with South America being the next largest market. Farther afield, the Middle East is another big market for these vehicles. The list includes: the United States, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Ecuador, Qatar, Kuwait and Israel.

What if you manufacture products for pickups and want to explore whether you make applications that would fit the market in the United Kingdom? SEMA’s data can help you learn about the top-selling trucks in that market: the Mitsubishi L200, Nissan Navara, Toyota HiLux, Isuzu Rodeo D-Max, and Ford Ranger.

Or help identify the most popular SUVs in terms of sales in the United Arab Emirates: Toyota Land Cruiser 100, Toyota Land Cruiser 90, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Santa Fe, Lexus LX, Toyota RAV4, Lexus RX, Mitsubishi Pajero/Shogun, Nissan Patrol, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sorento, Hyundai iX35, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Armada, and Toyota FJ Cruiser.

Vehicles Not Sold in the United States
SEMA International Vehicle Data Program
SEMA has a program to import and make available to members to measure vehicles which are globally popular with enthusiasts and but not sold in the United States so that U.S. companies can prototype export-ready product. This program is made possible through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce. More than 300 companies have measured the Toyota HiLux or one of the other international vehicles imported through this program, including a Ford Ranger T6, Mitsubishi L200 and UAZ Hunter. Sales data for 2005–2013 for each of these popular overseas vehicles are available through the SEMA international vehicle data program.

There is much talk about moving toward global vehicles—one model of each for the world, i.e., the new Ford Mustang will be exported by Ford to 140 countries from its facility in Michigan. But what about vehicles not sold in the United States? SEMA can help you identify the hottest vehicles/markets for vehicles popularly accessorized globally but not sold in the United States. The SEMA data breaks down sales not only by country but also by make.

For example, here are the top markets for the best-selling Toyota HiLux 1-ton truck, with more than 5 million sold since its introduction: Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Malaysia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Peru, United Kingdom, Mexico, Qatar and Chile.

SEMA has created a program to help members overcome the hurdles of making products for vehicles that are popular in key international markets but are not available in the United States. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, SEMA launched a program in July 2012 to provide measuring opportunities for such vehicles. More than 180 companies have already measured the initial vehicles—a ’12 Toyota HiLux double-cab 4x4 and a ’13 Ford Ranger T6 4x4 double-cab—to allow them to prototype and create export-ready products. These vehicles are available to SEMA-member manufacturers to measure free of charge at the new SEMA Garage, adjacent to SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California.

The ’12 HiLux will soon be re-exported, because there is a three-year limit on the importation of vehicles not made in the United States but brought for initiatives such as the SEMA measuring program. SEMA will be importing an all-new ’16 Toyota HiLux double-cab 4x4 for members to measure as soon as it’s available.

In an all-new program available to members, SEMA is partnering with the U.S. Department of Commerce to organize measuring sessions abroad in connection with the association’s overseas business-development programs in Russia, China and the Middle East. SEMA members will be able to measure top vehicles in those markets that are not sold in the United States. For example, among the vehicles available for measuring at the March 2015 SEMA measuring session in the United Arab Emirates were the ’15 Toyota HiLux, ’15 Mitsubishi L200 and ’15 Ford Ranger as well as the Toyota Land Cruiser (both new and older models) and the Nissan Patrol (new and older models).

To download SEMA’s vehicle data, visit www.sema.org/international or contact Linda Spencer via e-mail at lindas@sema.org.

Wed, 07/01/2015 - 17:16

SEMA News—July 2015

INTERNATIONAL

By Linda Spencer

What Global Customers Drive

Jeep Wranglers in China
China is the fourth largest market for Jeep Wranglers after North America—the United State and Canada—and Australia. Between 2005–2013, 19,294 Jeep Wranglers were sold in China. In 2013, China moved ahead of Australia to claim the number-three spot after the United States and Canada. Photo courtesy of JeepV

The Ford Mustang, Jeep Wrangler and Chevrolet Silverado pickup were winners of the 2014 SEMA Awards, recognizing the year’s hottest vehicles. Does your company make products for those vehicles? Do you sell your products primarily in the United States? If you answered yes to both of these questions but want to expand your sales outside the United States, SEMA’s make/model data can help you get started by giving you easy-to-use information that will help you identify the best markets in terms of vehicle registrations. Through a joint program with the U.S. Department of Commerce and IHS Automotive, SEMA has complied the data into a user-friendly resource. Here are some examples:

Jeep reported record-breaking sales of more than 1 million units last year and plans to double that figure in five years. So which are the most important markets for Jeeps? A glance at the data reveals that the top-20 slots span North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The top 20 global markets for all Jeeps (in terms of sales) for 2005–2013 were:

the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Australia, Venezuela, Italy, Germany, South Africa, United Kingdom, Chile, France, Japan, Spain, Russia, Brazil, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, and Egypt.

Manufacturers of products for Jeep Wranglers might be interested in narrowing the search to the top 20 Jeep Wrangler sales markets globally during that same period, which would enable them to extend the pool of vehicles for their products. That list includes: the United States, Canada, Australia, China, Mexico, Greece, Italy, Japan, Germany, France, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Spain, Chile, Egypt, United Kingdom, Colombia, Saudi Arabia and Portugal.

Interested in the best markets for products fitting Ford’s F-Series pickups? SEMA’s statistics reveal that the top-selling markets are the United States, Canada and Mexico, with South America being the next largest market. Farther afield, the Middle East is another big market for these vehicles. The list includes: the United States, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Ecuador, Qatar, Kuwait and Israel.

What if you manufacture products for pickups and want to explore whether you make applications that would fit the market in the United Kingdom? SEMA’s data can help you learn about the top-selling trucks in that market: the Mitsubishi L200, Nissan Navara, Toyota HiLux, Isuzu Rodeo D-Max, and Ford Ranger.

Or help identify the most popular SUVs in terms of sales in the United Arab Emirates: Toyota Land Cruiser 100, Toyota Land Cruiser 90, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Santa Fe, Lexus LX, Toyota RAV4, Lexus RX, Mitsubishi Pajero/Shogun, Nissan Patrol, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sorento, Hyundai iX35, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Armada, and Toyota FJ Cruiser.

Vehicles Not Sold in the United States
SEMA International Vehicle Data Program
SEMA has a program to import and make available to members to measure vehicles which are globally popular with enthusiasts and but not sold in the United States so that U.S. companies can prototype export-ready product. This program is made possible through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce. More than 300 companies have measured the Toyota HiLux or one of the other international vehicles imported through this program, including a Ford Ranger T6, Mitsubishi L200 and UAZ Hunter. Sales data for 2005–2013 for each of these popular overseas vehicles are available through the SEMA international vehicle data program.

There is much talk about moving toward global vehicles—one model of each for the world, i.e., the new Ford Mustang will be exported by Ford to 140 countries from its facility in Michigan. But what about vehicles not sold in the United States? SEMA can help you identify the hottest vehicles/markets for vehicles popularly accessorized globally but not sold in the United States. The SEMA data breaks down sales not only by country but also by make.

For example, here are the top markets for the best-selling Toyota HiLux 1-ton truck, with more than 5 million sold since its introduction: Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Malaysia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Peru, United Kingdom, Mexico, Qatar and Chile.

SEMA has created a program to help members overcome the hurdles of making products for vehicles that are popular in key international markets but are not available in the United States. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, SEMA launched a program in July 2012 to provide measuring opportunities for such vehicles. More than 180 companies have already measured the initial vehicles—a ’12 Toyota HiLux double-cab 4x4 and a ’13 Ford Ranger T6 4x4 double-cab—to allow them to prototype and create export-ready products. These vehicles are available to SEMA-member manufacturers to measure free of charge at the new SEMA Garage, adjacent to SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California.

The ’12 HiLux will soon be re-exported, because there is a three-year limit on the importation of vehicles not made in the United States but brought for initiatives such as the SEMA measuring program. SEMA will be importing an all-new ’16 Toyota HiLux double-cab 4x4 for members to measure as soon as it’s available.

In an all-new program available to members, SEMA is partnering with the U.S. Department of Commerce to organize measuring sessions abroad in connection with the association’s overseas business-development programs in Russia, China and the Middle East. SEMA members will be able to measure top vehicles in those markets that are not sold in the United States. For example, among the vehicles available for measuring at the March 2015 SEMA measuring session in the United Arab Emirates were the ’15 Toyota HiLux, ’15 Mitsubishi L200 and ’15 Ford Ranger as well as the Toyota Land Cruiser (both new and older models) and the Nissan Patrol (new and older models).

To download SEMA’s vehicle data, visit www.sema.org/international or contact Linda Spencer via e-mail at lindas@sema.org.

Wed, 07/01/2015 - 17:16

SEMA News—July 2015

INTERNATIONAL

By Linda Spencer

What Global Customers Drive

Jeep Wranglers in China
China is the fourth largest market for Jeep Wranglers after North America—the United State and Canada—and Australia. Between 2005–2013, 19,294 Jeep Wranglers were sold in China. In 2013, China moved ahead of Australia to claim the number-three spot after the United States and Canada. Photo courtesy of JeepV

The Ford Mustang, Jeep Wrangler and Chevrolet Silverado pickup were winners of the 2014 SEMA Awards, recognizing the year’s hottest vehicles. Does your company make products for those vehicles? Do you sell your products primarily in the United States? If you answered yes to both of these questions but want to expand your sales outside the United States, SEMA’s make/model data can help you get started by giving you easy-to-use information that will help you identify the best markets in terms of vehicle registrations. Through a joint program with the U.S. Department of Commerce and IHS Automotive, SEMA has complied the data into a user-friendly resource. Here are some examples:

Jeep reported record-breaking sales of more than 1 million units last year and plans to double that figure in five years. So which are the most important markets for Jeeps? A glance at the data reveals that the top-20 slots span North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The top 20 global markets for all Jeeps (in terms of sales) for 2005–2013 were:

the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Australia, Venezuela, Italy, Germany, South Africa, United Kingdom, Chile, France, Japan, Spain, Russia, Brazil, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, and Egypt.

Manufacturers of products for Jeep Wranglers might be interested in narrowing the search to the top 20 Jeep Wrangler sales markets globally during that same period, which would enable them to extend the pool of vehicles for their products. That list includes: the United States, Canada, Australia, China, Mexico, Greece, Italy, Japan, Germany, France, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Spain, Chile, Egypt, United Kingdom, Colombia, Saudi Arabia and Portugal.

Interested in the best markets for products fitting Ford’s F-Series pickups? SEMA’s statistics reveal that the top-selling markets are the United States, Canada and Mexico, with South America being the next largest market. Farther afield, the Middle East is another big market for these vehicles. The list includes: the United States, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Ecuador, Qatar, Kuwait and Israel.

What if you manufacture products for pickups and want to explore whether you make applications that would fit the market in the United Kingdom? SEMA’s data can help you learn about the top-selling trucks in that market: the Mitsubishi L200, Nissan Navara, Toyota HiLux, Isuzu Rodeo D-Max, and Ford Ranger.

Or help identify the most popular SUVs in terms of sales in the United Arab Emirates: Toyota Land Cruiser 100, Toyota Land Cruiser 90, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Santa Fe, Lexus LX, Toyota RAV4, Lexus RX, Mitsubishi Pajero/Shogun, Nissan Patrol, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sorento, Hyundai iX35, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Armada, and Toyota FJ Cruiser.

Vehicles Not Sold in the United States
SEMA International Vehicle Data Program
SEMA has a program to import and make available to members to measure vehicles which are globally popular with enthusiasts and but not sold in the United States so that U.S. companies can prototype export-ready product. This program is made possible through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce. More than 300 companies have measured the Toyota HiLux or one of the other international vehicles imported through this program, including a Ford Ranger T6, Mitsubishi L200 and UAZ Hunter. Sales data for 2005–2013 for each of these popular overseas vehicles are available through the SEMA international vehicle data program.

There is much talk about moving toward global vehicles—one model of each for the world, i.e., the new Ford Mustang will be exported by Ford to 140 countries from its facility in Michigan. But what about vehicles not sold in the United States? SEMA can help you identify the hottest vehicles/markets for vehicles popularly accessorized globally but not sold in the United States. The SEMA data breaks down sales not only by country but also by make.

For example, here are the top markets for the best-selling Toyota HiLux 1-ton truck, with more than 5 million sold since its introduction: Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Malaysia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Peru, United Kingdom, Mexico, Qatar and Chile.

SEMA has created a program to help members overcome the hurdles of making products for vehicles that are popular in key international markets but are not available in the United States. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, SEMA launched a program in July 2012 to provide measuring opportunities for such vehicles. More than 180 companies have already measured the initial vehicles—a ’12 Toyota HiLux double-cab 4x4 and a ’13 Ford Ranger T6 4x4 double-cab—to allow them to prototype and create export-ready products. These vehicles are available to SEMA-member manufacturers to measure free of charge at the new SEMA Garage, adjacent to SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California.

The ’12 HiLux will soon be re-exported, because there is a three-year limit on the importation of vehicles not made in the United States but brought for initiatives such as the SEMA measuring program. SEMA will be importing an all-new ’16 Toyota HiLux double-cab 4x4 for members to measure as soon as it’s available.

In an all-new program available to members, SEMA is partnering with the U.S. Department of Commerce to organize measuring sessions abroad in connection with the association’s overseas business-development programs in Russia, China and the Middle East. SEMA members will be able to measure top vehicles in those markets that are not sold in the United States. For example, among the vehicles available for measuring at the March 2015 SEMA measuring session in the United Arab Emirates were the ’15 Toyota HiLux, ’15 Mitsubishi L200 and ’15 Ford Ranger as well as the Toyota Land Cruiser (both new and older models) and the Nissan Patrol (new and older models).

To download SEMA’s vehicle data, visit www.sema.org/international or contact Linda Spencer via e-mail at lindas@sema.org.

Wed, 07/01/2015 - 17:05
SEMA News—July 2015

SEMA DATA CO-OP
By Jon Wyly

Are You Really “Too Busy” to Improve Your Business?

 Jon Wyly
  

Believe it or not, one of the most common excuses for business people to put off change is to simply declare, “We’re too busy.” Too busy to hire more help, too busy to evaluate internal systems, too busy to change a simple process that will pay for itself many times over.

If you are part of the “too busy” crowd, it’s time to stop and take a breath. Spend some time looking around the company, listen to feedback from the folks who are actually doing the work, then take some sort of positive step forward to implement bits of efficiency, no matter how small.

Once you start digging in, you will be amazed at the amount of frustration being put up with by loyal staff who just assume that nothing can be done to improve a negative situation. In fact, if you do your job right, you will uncover lots of things that might seem insignificant to you but are a big deal to the folks dealing with them day in and day out. Your reward for acting on them will be meaningful incremental efficiency—and happier team members.

So where to start? Well, no offense intended here, but the accounting office is often a great place to dig up some nuggets. Are there tasks that can be improved with some minor adjustments to software or processes? How can you leverage IT staff to help streamline paperwork flow? Talk to the people who are handling the details. I guarantee that you will get some “it would be great if…” feedback just by challenging them to think about a better way rather than how to manage their way through built-in obstacles. Even minor fixes will be appreciated, creating an atmosphere of teamwork rather than silos of power.

Remember: Small victories add up to big improvements in job satisfaction, morale and productivity.

I’m reminded of a lesson learned in my personal quest to become—and live—debt free. It’s a process called the debt snowball, promoted by a financial guru named Dave Ramsey, and it involves simply listing all of your debts in order from smallest to largest, then beginning the process by paying off the smallest one first, as quickly as possible. Once that is done, attack the second one in the same manner.

Each month, you accumulate more payoff power by concentrating the money from each paid-off account to increase the payment on the next largest. Thus, the snowball effect.

Now, the numbers folks among you might be saying, “Wait a minute, why not start with the highest interest-rate debts first?” Well, the answer is simple. In Dave’s mind, and proven in practical application, becoming debt free is not about math; it’s about changing habits. The victory one feels with each paid-off debt provides the sense of accomplishment to continue. It’s the power of positive reinforcement
at work!

Think about it as a process for continuous improvement and imagine the possibilities as your company makes the change from “too busy to improve” to a culture of “too important not to improve.” Employees will take more ownership of their work and will enjoy the satisfaction of a more productive and communicative work environment. Owners will reap the financial benefits that come with savings and efficiencies found a dollar at a time. And the entire company will thrive in a culture where everyone is involved in helping their peers solve problems rather than trying to figure out where to point a finger.

Need help discovering the efficiencies and financial upside of properly managing your product data? Contact the SDC.

To learn more about how you can take control of your product data and manage it at the lowest possible cost, contact SEMA Data Co-op Director of Membership Jim Graven at jimg@SEMAdatacoop.org or 888-958-6698 x4.
Wed, 07/01/2015 - 17:05
SEMA News—July 2015

SEMA DATA CO-OP
By Jon Wyly

Are You Really “Too Busy” to Improve Your Business?

 Jon Wyly
  

Believe it or not, one of the most common excuses for business people to put off change is to simply declare, “We’re too busy.” Too busy to hire more help, too busy to evaluate internal systems, too busy to change a simple process that will pay for itself many times over.

If you are part of the “too busy” crowd, it’s time to stop and take a breath. Spend some time looking around the company, listen to feedback from the folks who are actually doing the work, then take some sort of positive step forward to implement bits of efficiency, no matter how small.

Once you start digging in, you will be amazed at the amount of frustration being put up with by loyal staff who just assume that nothing can be done to improve a negative situation. In fact, if you do your job right, you will uncover lots of things that might seem insignificant to you but are a big deal to the folks dealing with them day in and day out. Your reward for acting on them will be meaningful incremental efficiency—and happier team members.

So where to start? Well, no offense intended here, but the accounting office is often a great place to dig up some nuggets. Are there tasks that can be improved with some minor adjustments to software or processes? How can you leverage IT staff to help streamline paperwork flow? Talk to the people who are handling the details. I guarantee that you will get some “it would be great if…” feedback just by challenging them to think about a better way rather than how to manage their way through built-in obstacles. Even minor fixes will be appreciated, creating an atmosphere of teamwork rather than silos of power.

Remember: Small victories add up to big improvements in job satisfaction, morale and productivity.

I’m reminded of a lesson learned in my personal quest to become—and live—debt free. It’s a process called the debt snowball, promoted by a financial guru named Dave Ramsey, and it involves simply listing all of your debts in order from smallest to largest, then beginning the process by paying off the smallest one first, as quickly as possible. Once that is done, attack the second one in the same manner.

Each month, you accumulate more payoff power by concentrating the money from each paid-off account to increase the payment on the next largest. Thus, the snowball effect.

Now, the numbers folks among you might be saying, “Wait a minute, why not start with the highest interest-rate debts first?” Well, the answer is simple. In Dave’s mind, and proven in practical application, becoming debt free is not about math; it’s about changing habits. The victory one feels with each paid-off debt provides the sense of accomplishment to continue. It’s the power of positive reinforcement
at work!

Think about it as a process for continuous improvement and imagine the possibilities as your company makes the change from “too busy to improve” to a culture of “too important not to improve.” Employees will take more ownership of their work and will enjoy the satisfaction of a more productive and communicative work environment. Owners will reap the financial benefits that come with savings and efficiencies found a dollar at a time. And the entire company will thrive in a culture where everyone is involved in helping their peers solve problems rather than trying to figure out where to point a finger.

Need help discovering the efficiencies and financial upside of properly managing your product data? Contact the SDC.

To learn more about how you can take control of your product data and manage it at the lowest possible cost, contact SEMA Data Co-op Director of Membership Jim Graven at jimg@SEMAdatacoop.org or 888-958-6698 x4.
Wed, 07/01/2015 - 17:05
SEMA News—July 2015

SEMA DATA CO-OP
By Jon Wyly

Are You Really “Too Busy” to Improve Your Business?

 Jon Wyly
  

Believe it or not, one of the most common excuses for business people to put off change is to simply declare, “We’re too busy.” Too busy to hire more help, too busy to evaluate internal systems, too busy to change a simple process that will pay for itself many times over.

If you are part of the “too busy” crowd, it’s time to stop and take a breath. Spend some time looking around the company, listen to feedback from the folks who are actually doing the work, then take some sort of positive step forward to implement bits of efficiency, no matter how small.

Once you start digging in, you will be amazed at the amount of frustration being put up with by loyal staff who just assume that nothing can be done to improve a negative situation. In fact, if you do your job right, you will uncover lots of things that might seem insignificant to you but are a big deal to the folks dealing with them day in and day out. Your reward for acting on them will be meaningful incremental efficiency—and happier team members.

So where to start? Well, no offense intended here, but the accounting office is often a great place to dig up some nuggets. Are there tasks that can be improved with some minor adjustments to software or processes? How can you leverage IT staff to help streamline paperwork flow? Talk to the people who are handling the details. I guarantee that you will get some “it would be great if…” feedback just by challenging them to think about a better way rather than how to manage their way through built-in obstacles. Even minor fixes will be appreciated, creating an atmosphere of teamwork rather than silos of power.

Remember: Small victories add up to big improvements in job satisfaction, morale and productivity.

I’m reminded of a lesson learned in my personal quest to become—and live—debt free. It’s a process called the debt snowball, promoted by a financial guru named Dave Ramsey, and it involves simply listing all of your debts in order from smallest to largest, then beginning the process by paying off the smallest one first, as quickly as possible. Once that is done, attack the second one in the same manner.

Each month, you accumulate more payoff power by concentrating the money from each paid-off account to increase the payment on the next largest. Thus, the snowball effect.

Now, the numbers folks among you might be saying, “Wait a minute, why not start with the highest interest-rate debts first?” Well, the answer is simple. In Dave’s mind, and proven in practical application, becoming debt free is not about math; it’s about changing habits. The victory one feels with each paid-off debt provides the sense of accomplishment to continue. It’s the power of positive reinforcement
at work!

Think about it as a process for continuous improvement and imagine the possibilities as your company makes the change from “too busy to improve” to a culture of “too important not to improve.” Employees will take more ownership of their work and will enjoy the satisfaction of a more productive and communicative work environment. Owners will reap the financial benefits that come with savings and efficiencies found a dollar at a time. And the entire company will thrive in a culture where everyone is involved in helping their peers solve problems rather than trying to figure out where to point a finger.

Need help discovering the efficiencies and financial upside of properly managing your product data? Contact the SDC.

To learn more about how you can take control of your product data and manage it at the lowest possible cost, contact SEMA Data Co-op Director of Membership Jim Graven at jimg@SEMAdatacoop.org or 888-958-6698 x4.