Check out the January issue of SEMA News for highlights of some of the hottest cars and best parts for 2011.

The following is from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting.

It has been said that a rising tide lifts all boats. Well, the industry was buoyed appreciably in November at the 2010 SEMA Show, and I'd like to thank all who participated in once again delivering the industry's most valuable business gathering. We measure the success of the SEMA Show not just by the numbers, but also by the levels of participation and satisfaction as reflected by the industry. Below are a few answers to the questions "How'd the Show go?" and "What was new?"

With turnout and enthusiasm at the Show as worthy indicators, the industry is clearly upbeat heading toward 2011. Nearly 111,000 people took part in the 2010 SEMA Show, up about 7.5% over 2009. There were 1,950 exhibiting companies occupying more than 900,000 sq. ft. of displays, up 17% over 2009. Most importantly, satisfaction levels were outstanding: Post-Show surveys indicated that 91% of buyers rated their overall experience as either "excellent" or "good," up from 81% in the prior year. Among exhibiting manufacturers, 88% reported a satisfaction rating of "excellent" or "good," up from 77% in 2009.

Media participation at the Show was among our best ever, topping out at more than 3,000 individuals, including traditional print and broadcast journalists, as well as website editors and bloggers. These journalists converged on Las Vegas to record and report on the latest products, emerging trends and the future outlook of attendees and exhibitors alike. The resulting media coverage has been outstanding.

One of the most telling statistics of the 2010 SEMA Show was the number of entries in the New Products Showcase. The 2010 event saw more companies participating with more than 2,000 new parts, tools, car care, maintenance and accessory items. You can see them all through our archive of high-resolution SEMA Show photography online at www.semaphotos.com.

People also come to the SEMA Show to learn about business management, participate in professional development programs and keep pace with vehicle technology advances. The SEMA Show Education Week program featured nearly 140 sessions and drew close to 5,200 attendees. An additional 10 sessions were offered by the Tire Industry Association and drew another 539 industry professionals. The goal this year was to improve the value of each session. The response from those who participated was very encouraging indeed. The average overall satisfaction rating for Education Week was 4.32 out of a possible of 5—a remarkable achievement. If you did not take advantage of Education Week sessions, be sure to make time and schedule your participation next year.

The 2010 SEMA Show also saw the launch of a successful new award program, the SEMA Award (see "The SEMA Award" on p. 29 of the January 2011 SEMA News). Twenty-one vehicles were in contention for Hottest Car, Hottest Truck and Hottest 4X4-SUV, with the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford F-Series and Jeep Wrangler winning their respective categories. The award celebrates not only the vehicles, but also the dazzling array of new products our industry has available for them.

The contenders and the SEMA Award-winning vehicles have received overwhelming media coverage. Participation in the Pre-Show SEMA Challenge, inviting car and truck enthusiasts to predict the winners of the SEMA Award, drew 12,606 votes and 9,004 page views of the SEMA Award page. We've also posted lists of the manufacturers who make products for each of the 21 contenders at www.SEMA.org/SEMAaward.

The SEMA Show is a one-of-a-kind gathering that builds upon our industry's heritage and initiates progress and future accomplishments. The industry's participation makes it happen, and the association is proud to help deliver such a meaningful and value-laden event. As the economy continues to improve, the innovation and passion that we witnessed at the 2010 SEMA Show is sure to accelerate our industry's participation in the recovery and will result in new growth.

Thank you for all you did to make it a success!

	Check out the January issue of SEMA News for highlights of some of the hottest cars and best parts for 2011.

The following is from SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting.

It has been said that a rising tide lifts all boats. Well, the industry was buoyed appreciably in November at the 2010 SEMA Show, and I'd like to thank all who participated in once again delivering the industry's most valuable business gathering. We measure the success of the SEMA Show not just by the numbers, but also by the levels of participation and satisfaction as reflected by the industry. Below are a few answers to the questions "How'd the Show go?" and "What was new?"

With turnout and enthusiasm at the Show as worthy indicators, the industry is clearly upbeat heading toward 2011. Nearly 111,000 people took part in the 2010 SEMA Show, up about 7.5% over 2009. There were 1,950 exhibiting companies occupying more than 900,000 sq. ft. of displays, up 17% over 2009. Most importantly, satisfaction levels were outstanding: Post-Show surveys indicated that 91% of buyers rated their overall experience as either "excellent" or "good," up from 81% in the prior year. Among exhibiting manufacturers, 88% reported a satisfaction rating of "excellent" or "good," up from 77% in 2009.

Media participation at the Show was among our best ever, topping out at more than 3,000 individuals, including traditional print and broadcast journalists, as well as website editors and bloggers. These journalists converged on Las Vegas to record and report on the latest products, emerging trends and the future outlook of attendees and exhibitors alike. The resulting media coverage has been outstanding.

One of the most telling statistics of the 2010 SEMA Show was the number of entries in the New Products Showcase. The 2010 event saw more companies participating with more than 2,000 new parts, tools, car care, maintenance and accessory items. You can see them all through our archive of high-resolution SEMA Show photography online at www.semaphotos.com.

People also come to the SEMA Show to learn about business management, participate in professional development programs and keep pace with vehicle technology advances. The SEMA Show Education Week program featured nearly 140 sessions and drew close to 5,200 attendees. An additional 10 sessions were offered by the Tire Industry Association and drew another 539 industry professionals. The goal this year was to improve the value of each session. The response from those who participated was very encouraging indeed. The average overall satisfaction rating for Education Week was 4.32 out of a possible of 5—a remarkable achievement. If you did not take advantage of Education Week sessions, be sure to make time and schedule your participation next year.

The 2010 SEMA Show also saw the launch of a successful new award program, the SEMA Award (see "The SEMA Award" on p. 29 of the January 2011 SEMA News). Twenty-one vehicles were in contention for Hottest Car, Hottest Truck and Hottest 4X4-SUV, with the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford F-Series and Jeep Wrangler winning their respective categories. The award celebrates not only the vehicles, but also the dazzling array of new products our industry has available for them.

The contenders and the SEMA Award-winning vehicles have received overwhelming media coverage. Participation in the Pre-Show SEMA Challenge, inviting car and truck enthusiasts to predict the winners of the SEMA Award, drew 12,606 votes and 9,004 page views of the SEMA Award page. We've also posted lists of the manufacturers who make products for each of the 21 contenders at www.SEMA.org/SEMAaward.

The SEMA Show is a one-of-a-kind gathering that builds upon our industry's heritage and initiates progress and future accomplishments. The industry's participation makes it happen, and the association is proud to help deliver such a meaningful and value-laden event. As the economy continues to improve, the innovation and passion that we witnessed at the 2010 SEMA Show is sure to accelerate our industry's participation in the recovery and will result in new growth.

Thank you for all you did to make it a success!

It's been nearly three months since Priddy's team of spy shooters delivered shots of Chevrolet's upcoming Malibu, but here it is experiencing a bit of winter driving.

Back in December 2009, GM showed a select crowd the finished, next-generation Malibu. Priddy reported that she and the team had talked to a few of those in attendance for the December showing, and they confirmed that the interior and exterior design of this prototype matches the styling they were shown.

Unlike previous generations, this new Malibu will be a global car. In foreign markets, this vehicle will be sold as the Holden Epica and Daewoo Tosca.

Originally, it was not expected to go into production for the United States until Q1 of 2012. The start date has now been bumped up to Q4 2011. That said, rumors of an even earlier start date around the summer of 2011 have also been floating around. Much like the Chevy Cruze rollout, production of foreign-market versions of the Malibu will start in China and Korea several months before U.S. production begins. GM will invest $257 million to get the Fairfax and Detroit Hamtramck assembly plants ready to build the ’12 Chevy Malibu for U.S. production.

The Malibu will ride on the same short wheelbase version of the Epsilon II chassis that underpins the ’11 Buick Regal, according to Priddy. While the overall length of the Chevy will shrink compared to today's model, insiders who saw the finished product say the Malibu is roomier on the inside.

Under the hood, the Malibu will have the 2.4L SIDI four-cylinder or the 2.0L, turbo-charged Ecotec four-cylinder. Either will be mated to a six-speed transmission, and all-wheel drive will be optional. A hybrid version will also be available. Until recently, it was thought the Malibu would also get the 3.6L V6 as the top-end model. Pridday says that recent reports suggest GM will stay with an all-four-cylinder lineup.


Photo Credit: Brenda Priddy & Company

It's been nearly three months since Priddy's team of spy shooters delivered shots of Chevrolet's upcoming Malibu, but here it is experiencing a bit of winter driving.

Back in December 2009, GM showed a select crowd the finished, next-generation Malibu. Priddy reported that she and the team had talked to a few of those in attendance for the December showing, and they confirmed that the interior and exterior design of this prototype matches the styling they were shown.

Unlike previous generations, this new Malibu will be a global car. In foreign markets, this vehicle will be sold as the Holden Epica and Daewoo Tosca.

Originally, it was not expected to go into production for the United States until Q1 of 2012. The start date has now been bumped up to Q4 2011. That said, rumors of an even earlier start date around the summer of 2011 have also been floating around. Much like the Chevy Cruze rollout, production of foreign-market versions of the Malibu will start in China and Korea several months before U.S. production begins. GM will invest $257 million to get the Fairfax and Detroit Hamtramck assembly plants ready to build the ’12 Chevy Malibu for U.S. production.

The Malibu will ride on the same short wheelbase version of the Epsilon II chassis that underpins the ’11 Buick Regal, according to Priddy. While the overall length of the Chevy will shrink compared to today's model, insiders who saw the finished product say the Malibu is roomier on the inside.

Under the hood, the Malibu will have the 2.4L SIDI four-cylinder or the 2.0L, turbo-charged Ecotec four-cylinder. Either will be mated to a six-speed transmission, and all-wheel drive will be optional. A hybrid version will also be available. Until recently, it was thought the Malibu would also get the 3.6L V6 as the top-end model. Pridday says that recent reports suggest GM will stay with an all-four-cylinder lineup.


Photo Credit: Brenda Priddy & Company

It's been nearly three months since Priddy's team of spy shooters delivered shots of Chevrolet's upcoming Malibu, but here it is experiencing a bit of winter driving.

Back in December 2009, GM showed a select crowd the finished, next-generation Malibu. Priddy reported that she and the team had talked to a few of those in attendance for the December showing, and they confirmed that the interior and exterior design of this prototype matches the styling they were shown.

Unlike previous generations, this new Malibu will be a global car. In foreign markets, this vehicle will be sold as the Holden Epica and Daewoo Tosca.

Originally, it was not expected to go into production for the United States until Q1 of 2012. The start date has now been bumped up to Q4 2011. That said, rumors of an even earlier start date around the summer of 2011 have also been floating around. Much like the Chevy Cruze rollout, production of foreign-market versions of the Malibu will start in China and Korea several months before U.S. production begins. GM will invest $257 million to get the Fairfax and Detroit Hamtramck assembly plants ready to build the ’12 Chevy Malibu for U.S. production.

The Malibu will ride on the same short wheelbase version of the Epsilon II chassis that underpins the ’11 Buick Regal, according to Priddy. While the overall length of the Chevy will shrink compared to today's model, insiders who saw the finished product say the Malibu is roomier on the inside.

Under the hood, the Malibu will have the 2.4L SIDI four-cylinder or the 2.0L, turbo-charged Ecotec four-cylinder. Either will be mated to a six-speed transmission, and all-wheel drive will be optional. A hybrid version will also be available. Until recently, it was thought the Malibu would also get the 3.6L V6 as the top-end model. Pridday says that recent reports suggest GM will stay with an all-four-cylinder lineup.


Photo Credit: Brenda Priddy & Company

	Gigi Ho, founder of Digital Performance Inc., led the SEMA webinar entitled, “Getting Your Data House in Order: Application Data Standards.”

The SEMA webinar series provides on-demand information in hour-long sessions that cover a range of topics designed to help specialty-equipment professionals improve their business operations. Members have the added benefit of making the program fit their schedules by tuning into the live broadcasts or downloading past webinars.

The recent SEMA webinar entitled, “Getting Your Data House in Order: Application Data Standards,” was led by Gigi Ho, founder of Digital Performance Inc.

To increase efficiency and avoid confusion, vehicle manufacturers and the specialty-parts industry have created a standard language by which to identify vehicles and their parts. When exchanging parts through a business system, common terminology must be used to find a match. For example, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) Catalog Enhanced Standard (ACES) terminology for the 2010 Ford F-150 includes a hyphen. Miscommunication in the categorization of a vehicle or part causes invalid applications, which, according to Ho, leads to lost sales opportunities.

Electronic data standards that have been introduced to the industry are ACES and Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES). Examples of product field information are brand identification, part number or category, product description, pricing and specs.

The AAIA Legacy standard is the original vehicle application standard introduced in 1997. It covers 14 data fields, including year, make, model and engine attributes.

However, introduced in 2003, ACES is a more complete and thorough application data used to identify a part and the vehicles it fits, according to Ho. It is comprised of three databases: vehicle configuration (VCDB), parts categorization (PCDB) and qualifier (QDB). The VCDB is published monthly and contains 49 data fields covering the vehicle, engine and certain vehicle attributes. The PCDB consists of five tables, including the category, subcategory, part terminology, position and code master. The QDB refers to part fitment on certain vehicles. The rule for delivering ACES data for your parts is to deliver the relevant vehicle information required to ensure your part fits correctly. For instance, if you sell tonneau covers, provide truck bed dimensions to ensure proper fit.

Learn about and start using ACES terminology for your parts. Standardize how you term your part types and vehicle fitments to help your customers process your product and fitment data. For help with ACES terminology, visit www.enhancedstandard.com.

SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Follow this link for more information on this webinar.

For more information on the SEMA Webinar Program and to view a list of all upcoming SEMA webinars, click here.

	Gigi Ho, founder of Digital Performance Inc., led the SEMA webinar entitled, “Getting Your Data House in Order: Application Data Standards.”

The SEMA webinar series provides on-demand information in hour-long sessions that cover a range of topics designed to help specialty-equipment professionals improve their business operations. Members have the added benefit of making the program fit their schedules by tuning into the live broadcasts or downloading past webinars.

The recent SEMA webinar entitled, “Getting Your Data House in Order: Application Data Standards,” was led by Gigi Ho, founder of Digital Performance Inc.

To increase efficiency and avoid confusion, vehicle manufacturers and the specialty-parts industry have created a standard language by which to identify vehicles and their parts. When exchanging parts through a business system, common terminology must be used to find a match. For example, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) Catalog Enhanced Standard (ACES) terminology for the 2010 Ford F-150 includes a hyphen. Miscommunication in the categorization of a vehicle or part causes invalid applications, which, according to Ho, leads to lost sales opportunities.

Electronic data standards that have been introduced to the industry are ACES and Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES). Examples of product field information are brand identification, part number or category, product description, pricing and specs.

The AAIA Legacy standard is the original vehicle application standard introduced in 1997. It covers 14 data fields, including year, make, model and engine attributes.

However, introduced in 2003, ACES is a more complete and thorough application data used to identify a part and the vehicles it fits, according to Ho. It is comprised of three databases: vehicle configuration (VCDB), parts categorization (PCDB) and qualifier (QDB). The VCDB is published monthly and contains 49 data fields covering the vehicle, engine and certain vehicle attributes. The PCDB consists of five tables, including the category, subcategory, part terminology, position and code master. The QDB refers to part fitment on certain vehicles. The rule for delivering ACES data for your parts is to deliver the relevant vehicle information required to ensure your part fits correctly. For instance, if you sell tonneau covers, provide truck bed dimensions to ensure proper fit.

Learn about and start using ACES terminology for your parts. Standardize how you term your part types and vehicle fitments to help your customers process your product and fitment data. For help with ACES terminology, visit www.enhancedstandard.com.

SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Follow this link for more information on this webinar.

For more information on the SEMA Webinar Program and to view a list of all upcoming SEMA webinars, click here.

	Gigi Ho, founder of Digital Performance Inc., led the SEMA webinar entitled, “Getting Your Data House in Order: Application Data Standards.”

The SEMA webinar series provides on-demand information in hour-long sessions that cover a range of topics designed to help specialty-equipment professionals improve their business operations. Members have the added benefit of making the program fit their schedules by tuning into the live broadcasts or downloading past webinars.

The recent SEMA webinar entitled, “Getting Your Data House in Order: Application Data Standards,” was led by Gigi Ho, founder of Digital Performance Inc.

To increase efficiency and avoid confusion, vehicle manufacturers and the specialty-parts industry have created a standard language by which to identify vehicles and their parts. When exchanging parts through a business system, common terminology must be used to find a match. For example, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) Catalog Enhanced Standard (ACES) terminology for the 2010 Ford F-150 includes a hyphen. Miscommunication in the categorization of a vehicle or part causes invalid applications, which, according to Ho, leads to lost sales opportunities.

Electronic data standards that have been introduced to the industry are ACES and Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES). Examples of product field information are brand identification, part number or category, product description, pricing and specs.

The AAIA Legacy standard is the original vehicle application standard introduced in 1997. It covers 14 data fields, including year, make, model and engine attributes.

However, introduced in 2003, ACES is a more complete and thorough application data used to identify a part and the vehicles it fits, according to Ho. It is comprised of three databases: vehicle configuration (VCDB), parts categorization (PCDB) and qualifier (QDB). The VCDB is published monthly and contains 49 data fields covering the vehicle, engine and certain vehicle attributes. The PCDB consists of five tables, including the category, subcategory, part terminology, position and code master. The QDB refers to part fitment on certain vehicles. The rule for delivering ACES data for your parts is to deliver the relevant vehicle information required to ensure your part fits correctly. For instance, if you sell tonneau covers, provide truck bed dimensions to ensure proper fit.

Learn about and start using ACES terminology for your parts. Standardize how you term your part types and vehicle fitments to help your customers process your product and fitment data. For help with ACES terminology, visit www.enhancedstandard.com.

SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Follow this link for more information on this webinar.

For more information on the SEMA Webinar Program and to view a list of all upcoming SEMA webinars, click here.

	Gigi Ho, founder of Digital Performance Inc., led the SEMA webinar entitled, “Getting Your Data House in Order: Application Data Standards.”

The SEMA webinar series provides on-demand information in hour-long sessions that cover a range of topics designed to help specialty-equipment professionals improve their business operations. Members have the added benefit of making the program fit their schedules by tuning into the live broadcasts or downloading past webinars.

The recent SEMA webinar entitled, “Getting Your Data House in Order: Application Data Standards,” was led by Gigi Ho, founder of Digital Performance Inc.

To increase efficiency and avoid confusion, vehicle manufacturers and the specialty-parts industry have created a standard language by which to identify vehicles and their parts. When exchanging parts through a business system, common terminology must be used to find a match. For example, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) Catalog Enhanced Standard (ACES) terminology for the 2010 Ford F-150 includes a hyphen. Miscommunication in the categorization of a vehicle or part causes invalid applications, which, according to Ho, leads to lost sales opportunities.

Electronic data standards that have been introduced to the industry are ACES and Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES). Examples of product field information are brand identification, part number or category, product description, pricing and specs.

The AAIA Legacy standard is the original vehicle application standard introduced in 1997. It covers 14 data fields, including year, make, model and engine attributes.

However, introduced in 2003, ACES is a more complete and thorough application data used to identify a part and the vehicles it fits, according to Ho. It is comprised of three databases: vehicle configuration (VCDB), parts categorization (PCDB) and qualifier (QDB). The VCDB is published monthly and contains 49 data fields covering the vehicle, engine and certain vehicle attributes. The PCDB consists of five tables, including the category, subcategory, part terminology, position and code master. The QDB refers to part fitment on certain vehicles. The rule for delivering ACES data for your parts is to deliver the relevant vehicle information required to ensure your part fits correctly. For instance, if you sell tonneau covers, provide truck bed dimensions to ensure proper fit.

Learn about and start using ACES terminology for your parts. Standardize how you term your part types and vehicle fitments to help your customers process your product and fitment data. For help with ACES terminology, visit www.enhancedstandard.com.

SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

Follow this link for more information on this webinar.

For more information on the SEMA Webinar Program and to view a list of all upcoming SEMA webinars, click here.

SEMA News - January 2011

It has been said that a rising tide lifts all boats. Well, the industry was buoyed appreciably in November at the 2010 SEMA Show, and I’d like to thank all who participated in once again delivering the industry’s most valuable annual business gathering. We measure the success of the Show not just by the numbers, but by the levels of participation and satisfaction as reflected by the industry. Below are a few answers to the questions “How’d the Show go?” and “What was new?”

With turnout and enthusiasm at the Show as worthy indicators, the industry is clearly upbeat heading toward 2011. Nearly 115,000 people took part in the 2010 SEMA Show, up about 7.5% over 2009. There were 1,950 exhibiting companies occupying more than 900,000 sq. ft.of displays, up 17% over 2009. Most imporantly, satisfaction levels were outstanding: Post-Show surveys indicted 91% of buyers rated their overall experience either “excellent” or “good,” up from 81% in the prior year. Among exhibiting manufacturers, 88% reported a satisfaction rating of “excellent” or “good,” up from 77% in 2009.

Media participation at the Show was among our best ever, topping out at more than 3,000 individuals, including traditional print and broadcast journalists, as well as website editors and bloggers. These journalists converged on Las Vegas to record and report on the latest products, emerging trends and the future outlook of attendees and exhibitors alike. The resulting media coverage has been outstanding.

One of the most telling statistics of the 2010 SEMA Show was the number of entries in the New Products Showcase. The 2010 event saw more companies participating with more than 2,000 new parts, tools, car care, maintenance and accessory items. You can see them all through our archive of high-resolution SEMA Show photography online by clicking here.

People also come to the SEMA Show to learn more about business management, participate in professional development programs and keep pace with vehicle technology advances. The SEMA Show Education Week program featured nearly 140 sessions and drew close to 5,200 attendees. An additional 10 sessions were offered by the Tire Industry Association and drew another 539 industry professionals. The goal this year was to improve the value of each session. The response from those who participated was very encouraging indeed. The average overall satisfaction rating for Education Week was 4.32 out of a possible 5—a remarkable achievement. If you did not take advantage of Education Week sessions, be sure to make time and schedule your participation next year.

The 2010 SEMA Show also saw the launch of a successful new award program, the SEMA Award. Twenty-one vehicles were in contention for Hottest Car, Hottest Truck and Hottest 4x4-SUV, with the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford F-Series and Jeep Wrangler winning their respective categories. The award celebrates not only the vehicles, but also the dazzling array of new products our industry has available for them. The contenders and the SEMA Award-winning vehicles have received overwhelming media coverage. Participation in the pre-Show SEMA Challenge, inviting car and truck enthusiasts to predict the winners of the SEMA Award, drew 12,606 votes and 9,004 page views of the SEMA Award page. We’ve also posted lists of the manufacturers who make products for each of the 21 contenders here.

The SEMA Show is a one-of-a-kind gathering that builds upon our industry’s heritage and initiates progress and future accomplishments. The industry’s participation makes it happen, and the association is proud to help deliver such a meaningful and value-laden event. As the economy continues to improve, the innovation and passion we witnessed at the 2010 SEMA Show is sure to accelerate our industry’s participation in the recovery and will result in new growth. Thank you for all you did to make it a success! 

—Chris Kersting, SEMA President and CEO