Car ownership in China is growing, and just like auto enthusiasts everywhere, Chinese drivers like to make their cars stand out. From expensive sports cars to off-road warriors, customization is increasingly popular among a wide segment of consumers in China.

Owners of expensive, imported super-luxury sports cars, such as Ferrari and Porsche, like to hang out with other owners and show off how they have customized their wheels, according to Figer Liu, founder of an automotive lifestyle website.

“We have a club for Ferrari and Porsche owners with hundreds of member,” he said. And membership is growing, which is not surprising, considering the rapid sales growth of those luxury brands in China.

Liu says that the most popular domestically produced models to customize are the Mercedes C- and E-classes, the BMW 3-Series and the Audi A4. In the first four months of 2011, sales of the domestically produced Mercedes E-class were 12,469 units, according to J.D. Power and Associates. C-class sales were 8,350 units. Audi A4 sales were 19,383. For all of 2010, the Mercedes C-class sold 28,287 units—up 79%. E-class sales more than tripled to 39,835 units. Audi A4 sales grew 43% to 58,466. BMW 3-Series sales rose 67% to 34,215 units.

To learn more about the Chinese market, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit www.sema.org/china.

Car ownership in China is growing, and just like auto enthusiasts everywhere, Chinese drivers like to make their cars stand out. From expensive sports cars to off-road warriors, customization is increasingly popular among a wide segment of consumers in China.

Owners of expensive, imported super-luxury sports cars, such as Ferrari and Porsche, like to hang out with other owners and show off how they have customized their wheels, according to Figer Liu, founder of an automotive lifestyle website.

“We have a club for Ferrari and Porsche owners with hundreds of member,” he said. And membership is growing, which is not surprising, considering the rapid sales growth of those luxury brands in China.

Liu says that the most popular domestically produced models to customize are the Mercedes C- and E-classes, the BMW 3-Series and the Audi A4. In the first four months of 2011, sales of the domestically produced Mercedes E-class were 12,469 units, according to J.D. Power and Associates. C-class sales were 8,350 units. Audi A4 sales were 19,383. For all of 2010, the Mercedes C-class sold 28,287 units—up 79%. E-class sales more than tripled to 39,835 units. Audi A4 sales grew 43% to 58,466. BMW 3-Series sales rose 67% to 34,215 units.

To learn more about the Chinese market, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit www.sema.org/china.

Car ownership in China is growing, and just like auto enthusiasts everywhere, Chinese drivers like to make their cars stand out. From expensive sports cars to off-road warriors, customization is increasingly popular among a wide segment of consumers in China.

Owners of expensive, imported super-luxury sports cars, such as Ferrari and Porsche, like to hang out with other owners and show off how they have customized their wheels, according to Figer Liu, founder of an automotive lifestyle website.

“We have a club for Ferrari and Porsche owners with hundreds of member,” he said. And membership is growing, which is not surprising, considering the rapid sales growth of those luxury brands in China.

Liu says that the most popular domestically produced models to customize are the Mercedes C- and E-classes, the BMW 3-Series and the Audi A4. In the first four months of 2011, sales of the domestically produced Mercedes E-class were 12,469 units, according to J.D. Power and Associates. C-class sales were 8,350 units. Audi A4 sales were 19,383. For all of 2010, the Mercedes C-class sold 28,287 units—up 79%. E-class sales more than tripled to 39,835 units. Audi A4 sales grew 43% to 58,466. BMW 3-Series sales rose 67% to 34,215 units.

To learn more about the Chinese market, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit www.sema.org/china.

Car ownership in China is growing, and just like auto enthusiasts everywhere, Chinese drivers like to make their cars stand out. From expensive sports cars to off-road warriors, customization is increasingly popular among a wide segment of consumers in China.

Owners of expensive, imported super-luxury sports cars, such as Ferrari and Porsche, like to hang out with other owners and show off how they have customized their wheels, according to Figer Liu, founder of an automotive lifestyle website.

“We have a club for Ferrari and Porsche owners with hundreds of member,” he said. And membership is growing, which is not surprising, considering the rapid sales growth of those luxury brands in China.

Liu says that the most popular domestically produced models to customize are the Mercedes C- and E-classes, the BMW 3-Series and the Audi A4. In the first four months of 2011, sales of the domestically produced Mercedes E-class were 12,469 units, according to J.D. Power and Associates. C-class sales were 8,350 units. Audi A4 sales were 19,383. For all of 2010, the Mercedes C-class sold 28,287 units—up 79%. E-class sales more than tripled to 39,835 units. Audi A4 sales grew 43% to 58,466. BMW 3-Series sales rose 67% to 34,215 units.

To learn more about the Chinese market, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or visit www.sema.org/china.

	The 2011 SEMA News Rate Card and Editorial Calendar is now available.

The 2011 SEMA News Rate Card and Editorial Calendar is now available. To download your copy (in PDF format) use this link.

SEMA News is everything that professionals look for in a great trade publication: hundreds of new product announcements, the latest industry news, interviews with key decision makers and creative tips on how to make automotive accessory businesses bigger and more efficient. Best of all, SEMA News goes right to the core of specialty-equipment and OEM environments through a specially qualified circulation database of manufacturers, warehouse distributors, jobbers and retailers, dealers and other industry professionals.

To get started now, download the 2011 SEMA News Rate Card and craft an advertising plan that works for your company. For assistance, contact Motor Media Inc. at sales@motormediainc.com or 818/248-4449.

Visit the SEMA News homepage to learn more about the magazine and to download past articles.

	The 2011 SEMA News Rate Card and Editorial Calendar is now available.

The 2011 SEMA News Rate Card and Editorial Calendar is now available. To download your copy (in PDF format) use this link.

SEMA News is everything that professionals look for in a great trade publication: hundreds of new product announcements, the latest industry news, interviews with key decision makers and creative tips on how to make automotive accessory businesses bigger and more efficient. Best of all, SEMA News goes right to the core of specialty-equipment and OEM environments through a specially qualified circulation database of manufacturers, warehouse distributors, jobbers and retailers, dealers and other industry professionals.

To get started now, download the 2011 SEMA News Rate Card and craft an advertising plan that works for your company. For assistance, contact Motor Media Inc. at sales@motormediainc.com or 818/248-4449.

Visit the SEMA News homepage to learn more about the magazine and to download past articles.

	Known as the “Tag & Title Toolbox,” the SEMA Action Network's new compilation of state laws and regulations governing specialty motor vehicles adds key administrative forms that can be printed for titling and registering specialty vehicles at DMVs nationwide.

On behalf of SEMA’s Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA), the SEMA Government Affairs office has updated its compilation of state laws and regulations governing specialty motor vehicles.

Originally released five years ago, the compilation is a one-stop shop for state resources listing each state’s specialty-vehicle definitions, registration and titling provisions, inspection criteria and other requirements and exemptions. Known as the “Tag & Title Toolbox,” the new compilation not only updates the 2005 version, but also adds key administrative forms that can be printed for titling and registering specialty vehicles at DMVs nationwide. Information on state emissions-inspection programs has also been added. “Tag & Title Toolbox” can be found online at www.semasan.com.

The term “specialty vehicle” includes the following vehicle classes: ancient, antique, assembled, classic, collectible, collector, custom, exhibition, historic, homemade, horseless carriage, kit, modified, parade, parts, rebuilt, reconstructed, replica, show, special interest, specially constructed, street cruiser, street rod and vintage. Given that a uniform system for defining such specialty vehicles does not exist among the states, applicable definitions for each state are listed separately at the beginning of each state’s document to clarify the language in the statutes and regulations.

“For years, the SEMA Government Affairs office has utilized this resource to research the statutes in order to identify states that would benefit from SEMA-model titling and registration legislation,” said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. “Using these statutes as an informational resource and reference tool, we drafted legislation to create new titling and registration classes for street rods and custom vehicles, including kit cars and replicas. Versions of this model legislation have since been enacted in 21 states across the country.”

The information is current for 2010 but subject to change in the future. SEMA advises members to also directly consult the statutes and regulations for states of interest to ensure the accuracy of the information. “SEMA members can use this resource to determine their state’s specific specialty-car requirements and relay this information to their customers,” McDonald added.

	Known as the “Tag & Title Toolbox,” the SEMA Action Network's new compilation of state laws and regulations governing specialty motor vehicles adds key administrative forms that can be printed for titling and registering specialty vehicles at DMVs nationwide.

On behalf of SEMA’s Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA), the SEMA Government Affairs office has updated its compilation of state laws and regulations governing specialty motor vehicles.

Originally released five years ago, the compilation is a one-stop shop for state resources listing each state’s specialty-vehicle definitions, registration and titling provisions, inspection criteria and other requirements and exemptions. Known as the “Tag & Title Toolbox,” the new compilation not only updates the 2005 version, but also adds key administrative forms that can be printed for titling and registering specialty vehicles at DMVs nationwide. Information on state emissions-inspection programs has also been added. “Tag & Title Toolbox” can be found online at www.semasan.com.

The term “specialty vehicle” includes the following vehicle classes: ancient, antique, assembled, classic, collectible, collector, custom, exhibition, historic, homemade, horseless carriage, kit, modified, parade, parts, rebuilt, reconstructed, replica, show, special interest, specially constructed, street cruiser, street rod and vintage. Given that a uniform system for defining such specialty vehicles does not exist among the states, applicable definitions for each state are listed separately at the beginning of each state’s document to clarify the language in the statutes and regulations.

“For years, the SEMA Government Affairs office has utilized this resource to research the statutes in order to identify states that would benefit from SEMA-model titling and registration legislation,” said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. “Using these statutes as an informational resource and reference tool, we drafted legislation to create new titling and registration classes for street rods and custom vehicles, including kit cars and replicas. Versions of this model legislation have since been enacted in 21 states across the country.”

The information is current for 2010 but subject to change in the future. SEMA advises members to also directly consult the statutes and regulations for states of interest to ensure the accuracy of the information. “SEMA members can use this resource to determine their state’s specific specialty-car requirements and relay this information to their customers,” McDonald added.

	Known as the “Tag & Title Toolbox,” the SEMA Action Network's new compilation of state laws and regulations governing specialty motor vehicles adds key administrative forms that can be printed for titling and registering specialty vehicles at DMVs nationwide.

On behalf of SEMA’s Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA), the SEMA Government Affairs office has updated its compilation of state laws and regulations governing specialty motor vehicles.

Originally released five years ago, the compilation is a one-stop shop for state resources listing each state’s specialty-vehicle definitions, registration and titling provisions, inspection criteria and other requirements and exemptions. Known as the “Tag & Title Toolbox,” the new compilation not only updates the 2005 version, but also adds key administrative forms that can be printed for titling and registering specialty vehicles at DMVs nationwide. Information on state emissions-inspection programs has also been added. “Tag & Title Toolbox” can be found online at www.semasan.com.

The term “specialty vehicle” includes the following vehicle classes: ancient, antique, assembled, classic, collectible, collector, custom, exhibition, historic, homemade, horseless carriage, kit, modified, parade, parts, rebuilt, reconstructed, replica, show, special interest, specially constructed, street cruiser, street rod and vintage. Given that a uniform system for defining such specialty vehicles does not exist among the states, applicable definitions for each state are listed separately at the beginning of each state’s document to clarify the language in the statutes and regulations.

“For years, the SEMA Government Affairs office has utilized this resource to research the statutes in order to identify states that would benefit from SEMA-model titling and registration legislation,” said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. “Using these statutes as an informational resource and reference tool, we drafted legislation to create new titling and registration classes for street rods and custom vehicles, including kit cars and replicas. Versions of this model legislation have since been enacted in 21 states across the country.”

The information is current for 2010 but subject to change in the future. SEMA advises members to also directly consult the statutes and regulations for states of interest to ensure the accuracy of the information. “SEMA members can use this resource to determine their state’s specific specialty-car requirements and relay this information to their customers,” McDonald added.

	Known as the “Tag & Title Toolbox,” the SEMA Action Network's new compilation of state laws and regulations governing specialty motor vehicles adds key administrative forms that can be printed for titling and registering specialty vehicles at DMVs nationwide.

On behalf of SEMA’s Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA), the SEMA Government Affairs office has updated its compilation of state laws and regulations governing specialty motor vehicles.

Originally released five years ago, the compilation is a one-stop shop for state resources listing each state’s specialty-vehicle definitions, registration and titling provisions, inspection criteria and other requirements and exemptions. Known as the “Tag & Title Toolbox,” the new compilation not only updates the 2005 version, but also adds key administrative forms that can be printed for titling and registering specialty vehicles at DMVs nationwide. Information on state emissions-inspection programs has also been added. “Tag & Title Toolbox” can be found online at www.semasan.com.

The term “specialty vehicle” includes the following vehicle classes: ancient, antique, assembled, classic, collectible, collector, custom, exhibition, historic, homemade, horseless carriage, kit, modified, parade, parts, rebuilt, reconstructed, replica, show, special interest, specially constructed, street cruiser, street rod and vintage. Given that a uniform system for defining such specialty vehicles does not exist among the states, applicable definitions for each state are listed separately at the beginning of each state’s document to clarify the language in the statutes and regulations.

“For years, the SEMA Government Affairs office has utilized this resource to research the statutes in order to identify states that would benefit from SEMA-model titling and registration legislation,” said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. “Using these statutes as an informational resource and reference tool, we drafted legislation to create new titling and registration classes for street rods and custom vehicles, including kit cars and replicas. Versions of this model legislation have since been enacted in 21 states across the country.”

The information is current for 2010 but subject to change in the future. SEMA advises members to also directly consult the statutes and regulations for states of interest to ensure the accuracy of the information. “SEMA members can use this resource to determine their state’s specific specialty-car requirements and relay this information to their customers,” McDonald added.