Ricky Best joined Holley Performance Products as technical sales representative. He will handle sales and support for all of Holley’s brands and will specialize in Holley EFI, Holley carburetors and Earls plumbing. The company announced that Best will attend many race and enthusiast events to support all of Holley's brands.

SMP announced that it added a new line of motorcycle parts to its BWD brand family of products. The BWD motorcycle line offers direct replacement parts, primarily for Harley-Davidson, with OE match or heavy-duty improved construction. For more information, visit www.BWDbrand.com.

Universal Lubricants hired Nancy Blanchat as director of marketing. Blanchat will oversee all aspects of the marketing effort for Universal Lubricants' new ECO ULTRA green product line and will report to Peter Fox, vice president of marketing and retail sales. Prior to joining Universal Lubricants, Blanchat spearheaded the marketing effort for Fidelity Bank, interpreting strategy into marketing campaigns to support all bank initiatives. Before Fidelity Bank, she served for 14 years at the Coleman Company as director of marketing communications.

CARDONE Industries was recognized as the best example of printed catalogs for its NAPA Remanufactured and NewMaster Cylinders Catalog during the 38th annual conference of the National Catalog Managers Association (NCMA) in St. Petersburg, Florida. DENSO Sales of California took home the Gold for its web catalog at www.densoaftermarket.com. International Brake Industries collected top honors for its innovative CD-ROM catalog. The conference featured nearly 300 aftermarket professionals, from manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers and a variety of print, electronic and information service providers.

The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association presented its West Coast Custom of the Year to Joe Proski's ’50 Merc overhauled by Squeeg Jerger of Squeeg’s Kustoms in Chandler, Arizona. Squeeg’s work included relocating the bumpers, adding a drip rail, reworking the doors and new grille, completely reworking the interior and more. In addition, Jeffrey Chandler’s ’33 Ford roadster was crowned this year’s Street Rod d’Elegance. Designed by Chris Ito, the all-steel roadster was completely hand formed and fabricated by Steve’s Auto Restorations in Portland, Oregon. The cutting-edge burgundy and black two-tone street rod was upholstered by Sid Chavers.

Friction-material manufacturers Fras-le North America Inc. hired The Marx Group as the company's agency of record for marketing communications and public relations. The Marx Group will help Fras-le with planning, research, writing, delivery and in representing the company to industry trade publications.

NEWS NUGGETS

WORSHAM GETS SECOND WIN OF THE SEASON; BECKMAN, ANDERSON GRAB FIRST SEASON WINS IN CHARLOTTE: Del Worsham proved once again that he’s a force to be reckoned with in 2011 as he powered his Al-Anabi Racing dragster past teammate and defending world champion Larry Dixon, Spencer Massey and Shawn Langdon in the final round of Top Fuel at the VisitMyrtleBeach.com NHRA Four-Wide Nationals Sunday in Charlotte to pick up his second win of the season. Worsham’s 3.813-second run was just enough to hold off Dixon’s 3.821 run on the final pass of the day at zMAX Dragway; it not only secured the win, but strengthened his points lead over the class.

“I told (team manager) Alan (Johnson) it would be only a matter of inches…and it was,” said Worsham.

Worsham now holds a 77-point lead over second place Dixon in the point standings. In Funny Car, “Fast Jack” Beckman drove his Aaron’s/Valvoline Dodge Charger past the Ford Mustangs of Bob Tasca and Tim Wilkerson, as well as the Toyota driven by Jim Head to collect his first win of the season and second at zMAX Dragway. Beckman’s win also pushed him from sixth to third in the point standings.

“Del (Worsham) talked about peaking too early,” Beckman told the media after the win. “I’m not worried about that…I just want to peak.”

It was Beckman’s first win in more than a year. His last came at Phoenix in February 2010. In Pro Stock, defending world champion Greg Anderson became the first 2010 world champion to grab a win this season, powering his Summit Racing Pontiac GXP past Greg Stanfield, Dave Connolly and Vincent Nobile to secure his second win at his home track, zMAX Dragway.

“I love this racetrack, and the best part of it is it’s home for me,” said Anderson. “Just a great, great day. I’m a very happy person.”

For more results from the VisitMyrtleBeach.com NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, visit NHRA.com.

NHRA CLASSICS LOGO T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE AT SELECT TARGET, WALMART STORES: NHRA fans in select markets can get a sneak peek at the new NHRA Classics logo T-shirts at Target and Walmart stores across the country. If you are a lucky fan who lives near one of these test stores, here is your chance to be the first in your town to show your classic colors. These are the first officially licensed shirts to feature NHRA Classic logos and include the 1962 Nationals, 1967 Nationals, 1970 Supernationals, 1972 Winternationals and 1979 Winternationals. Buy them for yourself or dress your loved ones, but take some home before they sell out completely. To view a list of the select Target’s and Walmart’s carrying these shirts, visit NHRA.com.

RELIVE NHRA’S GREATEST MOMENTS, SCHUMACHER’S DOMINANCE VIA JUST-RELEASED DVD’S: NHRA has released a pair of new DVD offerings: NHRA’s 60 Greatest Moments, which showcases the greatest moments on and off the track from NHRA’s first 60 years, and A Decade of Dominance: The Making of a Champion, which chronicles Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher’s incredible accomplishments of the past 10 years. Both DVDs, available for $19.99, include in-depth interviews, historical moments and plenty of racing excitement. Fans can buy these DVDs or shop for additional selections in NHRA’s extensive DVD library at the NHRA Store.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA SPRING NATIONALS, ROYAL PURPLE RACEWAY, April 29–May 1: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its first of two stops in the Lone Star State as it heads to Houston and Royal Purple Raceway. Defending event winners include Larry Dixon (Top Fuel); Matt Hagan (Funny Car); Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock); and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 281/383-RACE (7223) or go online at ExtremeTix.com. For media credentials, please contact Director of Media Relations Anthony Vestal at avestal@nhra.com.

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS, ATLANTA DRAGWAY, May 13–15: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series returns to the South and the Atlanta area for its sixth stop of 2011. Defending event winners include Larry Dixon (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock); and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800/884-NHRA (6472) or go online at NHRATIX.com. For media credentials, please Media Relations Manager Zak Elcock at zelcock@nhra.com.

NHRA SUMMER NATIONALS, HEARTLAND PARK TOPEKA, May 20–22: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its seventh stop of the season during the start of the summer months. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 800/43-RACES or go online at hpt.com. For media credentials, please Director of Social Media Michael Padian at mpadian@nhra.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

SEEN BETTER DAYS: 2010 Funny Car runner-up driver Matt Hagan after a first-round loss Sunday at the VisitMyrtleBeach.com NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, North Carolina: “Times like this make you really appreciate the good times. You just have to get back out there and move onto the next one.”

60 YEARS IN NHRA HISTORY

2008, FORCE HOOD FIRST WOMAN TO WIN IN FUNNY CAR: On April 27, 2008, Ashley Force Hood became the first female driver in NHRA history to win in Funny Car, when she drove her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang past father and NHRA legend John Force in the final round of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

3: No driver in Top Fuel history has ever won more than three races at Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas. Defending world champion Larry Dixon is the only active driver to have three wins at the Houston-area track. Dixon will look to become the first driver in the track history to grab four Top Fuel victories as well as his first win of the season at the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals, April 29–May 1.

DID YOU KNOW…

…that legendary Top Fuel pilot Shirley Muldowney, the first lady of drag racing, will be the NHRA Legend honored at the 24th annual O’Reilly Auto parts NHRA Spring Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Royal Purple Raceway in Houston, Texas. Muldowney, a three-time world champion, will be on hand all weekend for meet-and-greets, autograph sessions and a special Track Walk down Royal Purple Raceway Sunday morning before opening ceremonies. To get your tickets to this event, April 29–May 1, call 281/383-RACE (7223) or go online at ExtremeTix.com.

For more information, contact NHRA Media Relations at 626/914-4761 or visit the NHRA Media Center online.

NEWS NUGGETS

WORSHAM GETS SECOND WIN OF THE SEASON; BECKMAN, ANDERSON GRAB FIRST SEASON WINS IN CHARLOTTE: Del Worsham proved once again that he’s a force to be reckoned with in 2011 as he powered his Al-Anabi Racing dragster past teammate and defending world champion Larry Dixon, Spencer Massey and Shawn Langdon in the final round of Top Fuel at the VisitMyrtleBeach.com NHRA Four-Wide Nationals Sunday in Charlotte to pick up his second win of the season. Worsham’s 3.813-second run was just enough to hold off Dixon’s 3.821 run on the final pass of the day at zMAX Dragway; it not only secured the win, but strengthened his points lead over the class.

“I told (team manager) Alan (Johnson) it would be only a matter of inches…and it was,” said Worsham.

Worsham now holds a 77-point lead over second place Dixon in the point standings. In Funny Car, “Fast Jack” Beckman drove his Aaron’s/Valvoline Dodge Charger past the Ford Mustangs of Bob Tasca and Tim Wilkerson, as well as the Toyota driven by Jim Head to collect his first win of the season and second at zMAX Dragway. Beckman’s win also pushed him from sixth to third in the point standings.

“Del (Worsham) talked about peaking too early,” Beckman told the media after the win. “I’m not worried about that…I just want to peak.”

It was Beckman’s first win in more than a year. His last came at Phoenix in February 2010. In Pro Stock, defending world champion Greg Anderson became the first 2010 world champion to grab a win this season, powering his Summit Racing Pontiac GXP past Greg Stanfield, Dave Connolly and Vincent Nobile to secure his second win at his home track, zMAX Dragway.

“I love this racetrack, and the best part of it is it’s home for me,” said Anderson. “Just a great, great day. I’m a very happy person.”

For more results from the VisitMyrtleBeach.com NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, visit NHRA.com.

NHRA CLASSICS LOGO T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE AT SELECT TARGET, WALMART STORES: NHRA fans in select markets can get a sneak peek at the new NHRA Classics logo T-shirts at Target and Walmart stores across the country. If you are a lucky fan who lives near one of these test stores, here is your chance to be the first in your town to show your classic colors. These are the first officially licensed shirts to feature NHRA Classic logos and include the 1962 Nationals, 1967 Nationals, 1970 Supernationals, 1972 Winternationals and 1979 Winternationals. Buy them for yourself or dress your loved ones, but take some home before they sell out completely. To view a list of the select Target’s and Walmart’s carrying these shirts, visit NHRA.com.

RELIVE NHRA’S GREATEST MOMENTS, SCHUMACHER’S DOMINANCE VIA JUST-RELEASED DVD’S: NHRA has released a pair of new DVD offerings: NHRA’s 60 Greatest Moments, which showcases the greatest moments on and off the track from NHRA’s first 60 years, and A Decade of Dominance: The Making of a Champion, which chronicles Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher’s incredible accomplishments of the past 10 years. Both DVDs, available for $19.99, include in-depth interviews, historical moments and plenty of racing excitement. Fans can buy these DVDs or shop for additional selections in NHRA’s extensive DVD library at the NHRA Store.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA SPRING NATIONALS, ROYAL PURPLE RACEWAY, April 29–May 1: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its first of two stops in the Lone Star State as it heads to Houston and Royal Purple Raceway. Defending event winners include Larry Dixon (Top Fuel); Matt Hagan (Funny Car); Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock); and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 281/383-RACE (7223) or go online at ExtremeTix.com. For media credentials, please contact Director of Media Relations Anthony Vestal at avestal@nhra.com.

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS, ATLANTA DRAGWAY, May 13–15: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series returns to the South and the Atlanta area for its sixth stop of 2011. Defending event winners include Larry Dixon (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock); and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800/884-NHRA (6472) or go online at NHRATIX.com. For media credentials, please Media Relations Manager Zak Elcock at zelcock@nhra.com.

NHRA SUMMER NATIONALS, HEARTLAND PARK TOPEKA, May 20–22: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its seventh stop of the season during the start of the summer months. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 800/43-RACES or go online at hpt.com. For media credentials, please Director of Social Media Michael Padian at mpadian@nhra.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

SEEN BETTER DAYS: 2010 Funny Car runner-up driver Matt Hagan after a first-round loss Sunday at the VisitMyrtleBeach.com NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, North Carolina: “Times like this make you really appreciate the good times. You just have to get back out there and move onto the next one.”

60 YEARS IN NHRA HISTORY

2008, FORCE HOOD FIRST WOMAN TO WIN IN FUNNY CAR: On April 27, 2008, Ashley Force Hood became the first female driver in NHRA history to win in Funny Car, when she drove her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang past father and NHRA legend John Force in the final round of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

3: No driver in Top Fuel history has ever won more than three races at Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas. Defending world champion Larry Dixon is the only active driver to have three wins at the Houston-area track. Dixon will look to become the first driver in the track history to grab four Top Fuel victories as well as his first win of the season at the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals, April 29–May 1.

DID YOU KNOW…

…that legendary Top Fuel pilot Shirley Muldowney, the first lady of drag racing, will be the NHRA Legend honored at the 24th annual O’Reilly Auto parts NHRA Spring Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Royal Purple Raceway in Houston, Texas. Muldowney, a three-time world champion, will be on hand all weekend for meet-and-greets, autograph sessions and a special Track Walk down Royal Purple Raceway Sunday morning before opening ceremonies. To get your tickets to this event, April 29–May 1, call 281/383-RACE (7223) or go online at ExtremeTix.com.

For more information, contact NHRA Media Relations at 626/914-4761 or visit the NHRA Media Center online.

NEWS NUGGETS

WORSHAM GETS SECOND WIN OF THE SEASON; BECKMAN, ANDERSON GRAB FIRST SEASON WINS IN CHARLOTTE: Del Worsham proved once again that he’s a force to be reckoned with in 2011 as he powered his Al-Anabi Racing dragster past teammate and defending world champion Larry Dixon, Spencer Massey and Shawn Langdon in the final round of Top Fuel at the VisitMyrtleBeach.com NHRA Four-Wide Nationals Sunday in Charlotte to pick up his second win of the season. Worsham’s 3.813-second run was just enough to hold off Dixon’s 3.821 run on the final pass of the day at zMAX Dragway; it not only secured the win, but strengthened his points lead over the class.

“I told (team manager) Alan (Johnson) it would be only a matter of inches…and it was,” said Worsham.

Worsham now holds a 77-point lead over second place Dixon in the point standings. In Funny Car, “Fast Jack” Beckman drove his Aaron’s/Valvoline Dodge Charger past the Ford Mustangs of Bob Tasca and Tim Wilkerson, as well as the Toyota driven by Jim Head to collect his first win of the season and second at zMAX Dragway. Beckman’s win also pushed him from sixth to third in the point standings.

“Del (Worsham) talked about peaking too early,” Beckman told the media after the win. “I’m not worried about that…I just want to peak.”

It was Beckman’s first win in more than a year. His last came at Phoenix in February 2010. In Pro Stock, defending world champion Greg Anderson became the first 2010 world champion to grab a win this season, powering his Summit Racing Pontiac GXP past Greg Stanfield, Dave Connolly and Vincent Nobile to secure his second win at his home track, zMAX Dragway.

“I love this racetrack, and the best part of it is it’s home for me,” said Anderson. “Just a great, great day. I’m a very happy person.”

For more results from the VisitMyrtleBeach.com NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, visit NHRA.com.

NHRA CLASSICS LOGO T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE AT SELECT TARGET, WALMART STORES: NHRA fans in select markets can get a sneak peek at the new NHRA Classics logo T-shirts at Target and Walmart stores across the country. If you are a lucky fan who lives near one of these test stores, here is your chance to be the first in your town to show your classic colors. These are the first officially licensed shirts to feature NHRA Classic logos and include the 1962 Nationals, 1967 Nationals, 1970 Supernationals, 1972 Winternationals and 1979 Winternationals. Buy them for yourself or dress your loved ones, but take some home before they sell out completely. To view a list of the select Target’s and Walmart’s carrying these shirts, visit NHRA.com.

RELIVE NHRA’S GREATEST MOMENTS, SCHUMACHER’S DOMINANCE VIA JUST-RELEASED DVD’S: NHRA has released a pair of new DVD offerings: NHRA’s 60 Greatest Moments, which showcases the greatest moments on and off the track from NHRA’s first 60 years, and A Decade of Dominance: The Making of a Champion, which chronicles Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher’s incredible accomplishments of the past 10 years. Both DVDs, available for $19.99, include in-depth interviews, historical moments and plenty of racing excitement. Fans can buy these DVDs or shop for additional selections in NHRA’s extensive DVD library at the NHRA Store.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA SPRING NATIONALS, ROYAL PURPLE RACEWAY, April 29–May 1: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its first of two stops in the Lone Star State as it heads to Houston and Royal Purple Raceway. Defending event winners include Larry Dixon (Top Fuel); Matt Hagan (Funny Car); Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock); and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 281/383-RACE (7223) or go online at ExtremeTix.com. For media credentials, please contact Director of Media Relations Anthony Vestal at avestal@nhra.com.

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS, ATLANTA DRAGWAY, May 13–15: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series returns to the South and the Atlanta area for its sixth stop of 2011. Defending event winners include Larry Dixon (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock); and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800/884-NHRA (6472) or go online at NHRATIX.com. For media credentials, please Media Relations Manager Zak Elcock at zelcock@nhra.com.

NHRA SUMMER NATIONALS, HEARTLAND PARK TOPEKA, May 20–22: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its seventh stop of the season during the start of the summer months. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 800/43-RACES or go online at hpt.com. For media credentials, please Director of Social Media Michael Padian at mpadian@nhra.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

SEEN BETTER DAYS: 2010 Funny Car runner-up driver Matt Hagan after a first-round loss Sunday at the VisitMyrtleBeach.com NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, North Carolina: “Times like this make you really appreciate the good times. You just have to get back out there and move onto the next one.”

60 YEARS IN NHRA HISTORY

2008, FORCE HOOD FIRST WOMAN TO WIN IN FUNNY CAR: On April 27, 2008, Ashley Force Hood became the first female driver in NHRA history to win in Funny Car, when she drove her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang past father and NHRA legend John Force in the final round of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

3: No driver in Top Fuel history has ever won more than three races at Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas. Defending world champion Larry Dixon is the only active driver to have three wins at the Houston-area track. Dixon will look to become the first driver in the track history to grab four Top Fuel victories as well as his first win of the season at the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals, April 29–May 1.

DID YOU KNOW…

…that legendary Top Fuel pilot Shirley Muldowney, the first lady of drag racing, will be the NHRA Legend honored at the 24th annual O’Reilly Auto parts NHRA Spring Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Royal Purple Raceway in Houston, Texas. Muldowney, a three-time world champion, will be on hand all weekend for meet-and-greets, autograph sessions and a special Track Walk down Royal Purple Raceway Sunday morning before opening ceremonies. To get your tickets to this event, April 29–May 1, call 281/383-RACE (7223) or go online at ExtremeTix.com.

For more information, contact NHRA Media Relations at 626/914-4761 or visit the NHRA Media Center online.

Attend the PAACE Automechanika Show July 13–15 in Mexico City.

There is currently a high demand for U.S. automotive parts, including accessories, in Mexico. Among the most requested parts include: interior and exterior accessories; oil and lubricants; maintenance chemicals; electric parts; clutch and transmission parts; engine parts; gasoline engines; carpet and seats; suspension parts; brakes; cooling systems; batteries; motor parts; and tires and wheels.

Mexico’s Center for Statistical Research quotes Mexico’s vehicle circulation at 30,904,659 vehicles and the value of the automotive aftermarket at $95,163,800,000 (USD), representing 36% of Mexico’s total automotive industry.

Explore opportunities to develop business in Mexico and Central America by exhibiting at or attending the upcoming PAACE Automechanika Show taking place July 13–15 in Mexico City.

For more information, contact Kristen Woodburn at paminfo@usa.messefrankfurt.com.

Attend the PAACE Automechanika Show July 13–15 in Mexico City.

There is currently a high demand for U.S. automotive parts, including accessories, in Mexico. Among the most requested parts include: interior and exterior accessories; oil and lubricants; maintenance chemicals; electric parts; clutch and transmission parts; engine parts; gasoline engines; carpet and seats; suspension parts; brakes; cooling systems; batteries; motor parts; and tires and wheels.

Mexico’s Center for Statistical Research quotes Mexico’s vehicle circulation at 30,904,659 vehicles and the value of the automotive aftermarket at $95,163,800,000 (USD), representing 36% of Mexico’s total automotive industry.

Explore opportunities to develop business in Mexico and Central America by exhibiting at or attending the upcoming PAACE Automechanika Show taking place July 13–15 in Mexico City.

For more information, contact Kristen Woodburn at paminfo@usa.messefrankfurt.com.

The SEMA 2011 Annual Market Study is almost ready to be released! This annual report will help SEMA-member companies better understand the overall specialty-equipment market and its components. Within the specialty segment of the aftermarket, SEMA tracks nine primary niche markets. Data includes information from businesses in the industry as well as consumers.

Join Gavin Knapp, senior manager of SEMA’s market research department, on Thursday, April 28, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) as he highlights results from the recent study and explains their potential impact. Learn the following:

• Overall size of the specialty-equipment market
• Sales within specialty-equipment product segments and niches
• Industry and product trends
• Vehicle sales trends

Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Members: for more information and to register, click here.

Non-Members: for more information and to register, click here.

 

	SEMA members will have the opportunity to meet with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China at the 2011 SEMA CIAPE China Business Development Conference in Beijing from September 7–10, 2011.

SEMA recently interviewed a number of off-road shops throughout China—in Hangzhou, Yunnan Province, Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen—about the type of vehicles they are currently working on, how brand-aware are their customers and typical customizations.

The results for top vehicles for customization were: Jeep (Wrangler, Grand Cherokee and Commander), followed by Toyota (LC100, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser). To a lesser extent, Mitsubishi also made the list with the Pajero.

As for which customizations were most popular, the responses were quite unanimous with the top upgrades being suspension, wheels/tires and bull bars. A few installers also added lights and body kits to the list of top modifications. Among products sought: additional functional products for the off-roading customer as well as general packages for off-road vehicles (both American and Japanese).

Off-road shops noted that their customers relied on them to recommend customization options. Overseas, U.S. brands in general have a very good reputation, but when choosing among U.S. brands, the customer, we are told, often relies on guidance from the shop owner. Typically, as one retailer noted, only up to 30% of buyers enter their shop requesting specific brands. Others thought that number might be as low as 10%–15%.

One retailer noted: “Only about 30% of our customers ask for specific brands. When the majority of customers come to our tuning shop, they ask us to recommend some brands and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each brand and the cost of the modifications. They consider this information and then make a final decision on what work they would like.

As for business trends, some companies report good business while another installer noted that while the consumer is desiring more extensive modifications—and their own skill level and expertise has grown to the point that they can provide the customer with the work desired—a bottleneck has developed due to the difficulty of obtaining products in a timely fashion.

Off-road shops have identified working with their overseas suppliers and distributors to reduce the typical delivery time for orders to better serve their customers. They acknowledge that their capacity to purchase larger amounts of products—thus resulting in better prices from the manufacturer and more products on hand—is a work in progress and will improve dramatically only as sales increase and they have access to sufficient capital. Others noted that the import taxes were raising the cost of doing business, yet quite a few of the companies were generally optimistic.

One retailer noted: “Now more and more Chinese can afford to purchase specialty products. We can handle any problems that arise. For the time being, we do not have any problems that we could not overcome.”

All the companies interviewed expressed an eagerness to meet with SEMA members at the next SEMA China International Auto Parts Expo (CIAPE) China Business Development Conference in Beijing in September. With one respondent noting, “I want to take a look at all of the new products from overseas and new technology in the tuning field. I have been in business for many years and pride myself on providing my customers with the best products.”

Meet with these and other buyers who have already registered to participate in the 2011 SEMA CIAPE China Business Development Conference—a low-cost one-on-one program bringing together United States manufacturers with Chinese retailers and distributors. More information is available at sema.org/china or by contacting Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

 

	SEMA members will have the opportunity to meet with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China at the 2011 SEMA CIAPE China Business Development Conference in Beijing from September 7–10, 2011.

SEMA recently interviewed a number of off-road shops throughout China—in Hangzhou, Yunnan Province, Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen—about the type of vehicles they are currently working on, how brand-aware are their customers and typical customizations.

The results for top vehicles for customization were: Jeep (Wrangler, Grand Cherokee and Commander), followed by Toyota (LC100, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser). To a lesser extent, Mitsubishi also made the list with the Pajero.

As for which customizations were most popular, the responses were quite unanimous with the top upgrades being suspension, wheels/tires and bull bars. A few installers also added lights and body kits to the list of top modifications. Among products sought: additional functional products for the off-roading customer as well as general packages for off-road vehicles (both American and Japanese).

Off-road shops noted that their customers relied on them to recommend customization options. Overseas, U.S. brands in general have a very good reputation, but when choosing among U.S. brands, the customer, we are told, often relies on guidance from the shop owner. Typically, as one retailer noted, only up to 30% of buyers enter their shop requesting specific brands. Others thought that number might be as low as 10%–15%.

One retailer noted: “Only about 30% of our customers ask for specific brands. When the majority of customers come to our tuning shop, they ask us to recommend some brands and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each brand and the cost of the modifications. They consider this information and then make a final decision on what work they would like.

As for business trends, some companies report good business while another installer noted that while the consumer is desiring more extensive modifications—and their own skill level and expertise has grown to the point that they can provide the customer with the work desired—a bottleneck has developed due to the difficulty of obtaining products in a timely fashion.

Off-road shops have identified working with their overseas suppliers and distributors to reduce the typical delivery time for orders to better serve their customers. They acknowledge that their capacity to purchase larger amounts of products—thus resulting in better prices from the manufacturer and more products on hand—is a work in progress and will improve dramatically only as sales increase and they have access to sufficient capital. Others noted that the import taxes were raising the cost of doing business, yet quite a few of the companies were generally optimistic.

One retailer noted: “Now more and more Chinese can afford to purchase specialty products. We can handle any problems that arise. For the time being, we do not have any problems that we could not overcome.”

All the companies interviewed expressed an eagerness to meet with SEMA members at the next SEMA China International Auto Parts Expo (CIAPE) China Business Development Conference in Beijing in September. With one respondent noting, “I want to take a look at all of the new products from overseas and new technology in the tuning field. I have been in business for many years and pride myself on providing my customers with the best products.”

Meet with these and other buyers who have already registered to participate in the 2011 SEMA CIAPE China Business Development Conference—a low-cost one-on-one program bringing together United States manufacturers with Chinese retailers and distributors. More information is available at sema.org/china or by contacting Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

 

	SEMA members will have the opportunity to meet with pre-vetted distributors and retailers from throughout China at the 2011 SEMA CIAPE China Business Development Conference in Beijing from September 7–10, 2011.

SEMA recently interviewed a number of off-road shops throughout China—in Hangzhou, Yunnan Province, Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen—about the type of vehicles they are currently working on, how brand-aware are their customers and typical customizations.

The results for top vehicles for customization were: Jeep (Wrangler, Grand Cherokee and Commander), followed by Toyota (LC100, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser). To a lesser extent, Mitsubishi also made the list with the Pajero.

As for which customizations were most popular, the responses were quite unanimous with the top upgrades being suspension, wheels/tires and bull bars. A few installers also added lights and body kits to the list of top modifications. Among products sought: additional functional products for the off-roading customer as well as general packages for off-road vehicles (both American and Japanese).

Off-road shops noted that their customers relied on them to recommend customization options. Overseas, U.S. brands in general have a very good reputation, but when choosing among U.S. brands, the customer, we are told, often relies on guidance from the shop owner. Typically, as one retailer noted, only up to 30% of buyers enter their shop requesting specific brands. Others thought that number might be as low as 10%–15%.

One retailer noted: “Only about 30% of our customers ask for specific brands. When the majority of customers come to our tuning shop, they ask us to recommend some brands and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each brand and the cost of the modifications. They consider this information and then make a final decision on what work they would like.

As for business trends, some companies report good business while another installer noted that while the consumer is desiring more extensive modifications—and their own skill level and expertise has grown to the point that they can provide the customer with the work desired—a bottleneck has developed due to the difficulty of obtaining products in a timely fashion.

Off-road shops have identified working with their overseas suppliers and distributors to reduce the typical delivery time for orders to better serve their customers. They acknowledge that their capacity to purchase larger amounts of products—thus resulting in better prices from the manufacturer and more products on hand—is a work in progress and will improve dramatically only as sales increase and they have access to sufficient capital. Others noted that the import taxes were raising the cost of doing business, yet quite a few of the companies were generally optimistic.

One retailer noted: “Now more and more Chinese can afford to purchase specialty products. We can handle any problems that arise. For the time being, we do not have any problems that we could not overcome.”

All the companies interviewed expressed an eagerness to meet with SEMA members at the next SEMA China International Auto Parts Expo (CIAPE) China Business Development Conference in Beijing in September. With one respondent noting, “I want to take a look at all of the new products from overseas and new technology in the tuning field. I have been in business for many years and pride myself on providing my customers with the best products.”

Meet with these and other buyers who have already registered to participate in the 2011 SEMA CIAPE China Business Development Conference—a low-cost one-on-one program bringing together United States manufacturers with Chinese retailers and distributors. More information is available at sema.org/china or by contacting Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.