Modern musclecars took the top three spots for most views in the latest consumer interest report.

General Motors unveiled its new Camaro at the 2008 SEMA Show including some with historic racing livery.

Though not released in time for the 2008 SEMA Show, the redesigned Ford Mustang will undoubtedly be a focal point for specialty-equipment manufacturers.

Pypes Exhaust brought a freshly-modified Dodge Challenger fitted with its latest products to the 2008 SEMA Show.

Despite the ceaseless barrage of take-overs, mergers and other bankruptcy-related automotive news, consumers do not seem to be swaying away from performance vehicles.

AutoTrader released a report of their recent website traffic and ranked the most popular vehicles, taking views as the sole determining factor for order. Online traffic is often a reasonable gauge for future demand and the latest findings defy the perceived negative feelings towards the struggling automakers.

Kelley Blue Book, meanwhile, announced that consumers have improved their opinions of the companies involved in the recent bankruptcies. Its latest buyer survey indicated that 54% of buyers were likely to buy from General Motors and 31% from Chrysler, up from 47% and 29% respectively a month earlier.

KBB attributed the change in support to both the increase of information about the once-confusing circumstances and the federal backing of the companies.

"While in April new-car shoppers didn't have much information about the bankruptcies of the two companies, by May it was much clearer that the U.S. government would continue to offer aid to the two ailing carmakers, keeping them in operation," said KBB executive editorial director and executive market analyst Jack R. Nerad. "This reassured enough buyers to bring a modest improvement in overall likelihood to purchase from Chrysler and GM."

Topping the list was Chevrolet's all-new Camaro, followed by the redesigned Ford Mustang and the Dodge Challenger—three new musclecars from the domestic brands.

"The 1-2-3 finish by Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge shows that the U.S. is still in love with the American musclecar and that the U.S. manufacturers are rolling out head-turning products that generate the same kind of buzz you hear for Hondas, Toyotas, BMWs and other foreign makes," said AutoTrader President and CEO Chip Perry.

—SEMA Research & Information Center

Modern musclecars took the top three spots for most views in the latest consumer interest report.

General Motors unveiled its new Camaro at the 2008 SEMA Show including some with historic racing livery.

Though not released in time for the 2008 SEMA Show, the redesigned Ford Mustang will undoubtedly be a focal point for specialty-equipment manufacturers.

Pypes Exhaust brought a freshly-modified Dodge Challenger fitted with its latest products to the 2008 SEMA Show.

Despite the ceaseless barrage of take-overs, mergers and other bankruptcy-related automotive news, consumers do not seem to be swaying away from performance vehicles.

AutoTrader released a report of their recent website traffic and ranked the most popular vehicles, taking views as the sole determining factor for order. Online traffic is often a reasonable gauge for future demand and the latest findings defy the perceived negative feelings towards the struggling automakers.

Kelley Blue Book, meanwhile, announced that consumers have improved their opinions of the companies involved in the recent bankruptcies. Its latest buyer survey indicated that 54% of buyers were likely to buy from General Motors and 31% from Chrysler, up from 47% and 29% respectively a month earlier.

KBB attributed the change in support to both the increase of information about the once-confusing circumstances and the federal backing of the companies.

"While in April new-car shoppers didn't have much information about the bankruptcies of the two companies, by May it was much clearer that the U.S. government would continue to offer aid to the two ailing carmakers, keeping them in operation," said KBB executive editorial director and executive market analyst Jack R. Nerad. "This reassured enough buyers to bring a modest improvement in overall likelihood to purchase from Chrysler and GM."

Topping the list was Chevrolet's all-new Camaro, followed by the redesigned Ford Mustang and the Dodge Challenger—three new musclecars from the domestic brands.

"The 1-2-3 finish by Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge shows that the U.S. is still in love with the American musclecar and that the U.S. manufacturers are rolling out head-turning products that generate the same kind of buzz you hear for Hondas, Toyotas, BMWs and other foreign makes," said AutoTrader President and CEO Chip Perry.

—SEMA Research & Information Center

Modern musclecars took the top three spots for most views in the latest consumer interest report.

General Motors unveiled its new Camaro at the 2008 SEMA Show including some with historic racing livery.

Though not released in time for the 2008 SEMA Show, the redesigned Ford Mustang will undoubtedly be a focal point for specialty-equipment manufacturers.

Pypes Exhaust brought a freshly-modified Dodge Challenger fitted with its latest products to the 2008 SEMA Show.

Despite the ceaseless barrage of take-overs, mergers and other bankruptcy-related automotive news, consumers do not seem to be swaying away from performance vehicles.

AutoTrader released a report of their recent website traffic and ranked the most popular vehicles, taking views as the sole determining factor for order. Online traffic is often a reasonable gauge for future demand and the latest findings defy the perceived negative feelings towards the struggling automakers.

Kelley Blue Book, meanwhile, announced that consumers have improved their opinions of the companies involved in the recent bankruptcies. Its latest buyer survey indicated that 54% of buyers were likely to buy from General Motors and 31% from Chrysler, up from 47% and 29% respectively a month earlier.

KBB attributed the change in support to both the increase of information about the once-confusing circumstances and the federal backing of the companies.

"While in April new-car shoppers didn't have much information about the bankruptcies of the two companies, by May it was much clearer that the U.S. government would continue to offer aid to the two ailing carmakers, keeping them in operation," said KBB executive editorial director and executive market analyst Jack R. Nerad. "This reassured enough buyers to bring a modest improvement in overall likelihood to purchase from Chrysler and GM."

Topping the list was Chevrolet's all-new Camaro, followed by the redesigned Ford Mustang and the Dodge Challenger—three new musclecars from the domestic brands.

"The 1-2-3 finish by Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge shows that the U.S. is still in love with the American musclecar and that the U.S. manufacturers are rolling out head-turning products that generate the same kind of buzz you hear for Hondas, Toyotas, BMWs and other foreign makes," said AutoTrader President and CEO Chip Perry.

—SEMA Research & Information Center

Over 26 million compact vehicles are registered in the U.S., accounting for 10.58% of total vehicles.

The new SEMA website has many built-in functions and features that encourage industry collaboration. One tool in particular is helping shape the way SEMA members and SEMA staff communicate: article feedback.

At the bottom of each article is a designated area where readers can submit their impressions, comments, suggestions and critiques of each article. Staff considers each comment serious and truly appreciates both positive and negative feedback. Both help guide the direction of the topics and offer SEMA members an avenue to influence which elements of data they would like spotlighted.

Recently, SEMA ran an article highlighting the distribution of compact vehicles in the United States through vehicle registrations: Fuel Prices on the Rise Again–Where are the Compact Cars?

Readers used the tool to suggest expanding the tables to include additional information. Originally the article outlined the percentage of compact vehicles that are located in each state as a percentage of the entire volume of compact vehicles. The charts did not supply a comparison of the segment to the total population of vehicles and readers wanted additional information.

As a follow-up, SEMA is addressing the requests and including an expanded chart with both slices of data: compact vehicles and total vehicles for each state. Both data elements now illustrate the distribution of this vehicle segment from both sides of the story.

Over 26 million compact vehicles are distributed throughout the United States with the largest populations in California, Texas and Florida. This observation is not surprising as these states are also leaders in total vehicle units. When looking from the perspective of density—the states with the highest ratios of compacts—the situation changes. Hawaii and West Virginia have the highest occurrences of compacts compared to their total population, followed by California.

Also note that the numbers have changed slightly from the first report as the newest data was received from Experian Automotive just after the original article was released.

–SEMA Research & Information Center

Over 26 million compact vehicles are registered in the U.S., accounting for 10.58% of total vehicles.

The new SEMA website has many built-in functions and features that encourage industry collaboration. One tool in particular is helping shape the way SEMA members and SEMA staff communicate: article feedback.

At the bottom of each article is a designated area where readers can submit their impressions, comments, suggestions and critiques of each article. Staff considers each comment serious and truly appreciates both positive and negative feedback. Both help guide the direction of the topics and offer SEMA members an avenue to influence which elements of data they would like spotlighted.

Recently, SEMA ran an article highlighting the distribution of compact vehicles in the United States through vehicle registrations: Fuel Prices on the Rise Again–Where are the Compact Cars?

Readers used the tool to suggest expanding the tables to include additional information. Originally the article outlined the percentage of compact vehicles that are located in each state as a percentage of the entire volume of compact vehicles. The charts did not supply a comparison of the segment to the total population of vehicles and readers wanted additional information.

As a follow-up, SEMA is addressing the requests and including an expanded chart with both slices of data: compact vehicles and total vehicles for each state. Both data elements now illustrate the distribution of this vehicle segment from both sides of the story.

Over 26 million compact vehicles are distributed throughout the United States with the largest populations in California, Texas and Florida. This observation is not surprising as these states are also leaders in total vehicle units. When looking from the perspective of density—the states with the highest ratios of compacts—the situation changes. Hawaii and West Virginia have the highest occurrences of compacts compared to their total population, followed by California.

Also note that the numbers have changed slightly from the first report as the newest data was received from Experian Automotive just after the original article was released.

–SEMA Research & Information Center

Over 26 million compact vehicles are registered in the U.S., accounting for 10.58% of total vehicles.

The new SEMA website has many built-in functions and features that encourage industry collaboration. One tool in particular is helping shape the way SEMA members and SEMA staff communicate: article feedback.

At the bottom of each article is a designated area where readers can submit their impressions, comments, suggestions and critiques of each article. Staff considers each comment serious and truly appreciates both positive and negative feedback. Both help guide the direction of the topics and offer SEMA members an avenue to influence which elements of data they would like spotlighted.

Recently, SEMA ran an article highlighting the distribution of compact vehicles in the United States through vehicle registrations: Fuel Prices on the Rise Again–Where are the Compact Cars?

Readers used the tool to suggest expanding the tables to include additional information. Originally the article outlined the percentage of compact vehicles that are located in each state as a percentage of the entire volume of compact vehicles. The charts did not supply a comparison of the segment to the total population of vehicles and readers wanted additional information.

As a follow-up, SEMA is addressing the requests and including an expanded chart with both slices of data: compact vehicles and total vehicles for each state. Both data elements now illustrate the distribution of this vehicle segment from both sides of the story.

Over 26 million compact vehicles are distributed throughout the United States with the largest populations in California, Texas and Florida. This observation is not surprising as these states are also leaders in total vehicle units. When looking from the perspective of density—the states with the highest ratios of compacts—the situation changes. Hawaii and West Virginia have the highest occurrences of compacts compared to their total population, followed by California.

Also note that the numbers have changed slightly from the first report as the newest data was received from Experian Automotive just after the original article was released.

–SEMA Research & Information Center

Over 26 million compact vehicles are registered in the U.S., accounting for 10.58% of total vehicles.

The new SEMA website has many built-in functions and features that encourage industry collaboration. One tool in particular is helping shape the way SEMA members and SEMA staff communicate: article feedback.

At the bottom of each article is a designated area where readers can submit their impressions, comments, suggestions and critiques of each article. Staff considers each comment serious and truly appreciates both positive and negative feedback. Both help guide the direction of the topics and offer SEMA members an avenue to influence which elements of data they would like spotlighted.

Recently, SEMA ran an article highlighting the distribution of compact vehicles in the United States through vehicle registrations: Fuel Prices on the Rise Again–Where are the Compact Cars?

Readers used the tool to suggest expanding the tables to include additional information. Originally the article outlined the percentage of compact vehicles that are located in each state as a percentage of the entire volume of compact vehicles. The charts did not supply a comparison of the segment to the total population of vehicles and readers wanted additional information.

As a follow-up, SEMA is addressing the requests and including an expanded chart with both slices of data: compact vehicles and total vehicles for each state. Both data elements now illustrate the distribution of this vehicle segment from both sides of the story.

Over 26 million compact vehicles are distributed throughout the United States with the largest populations in California, Texas and Florida. This observation is not surprising as these states are also leaders in total vehicle units. When looking from the perspective of density—the states with the highest ratios of compacts—the situation changes. Hawaii and West Virginia have the highest occurrences of compacts compared to their total population, followed by California.

Also note that the numbers have changed slightly from the first report as the newest data was received from Experian Automotive just after the original article was released.

–SEMA Research & Information Center

Nearly 1.2 million electric vehicles have been sold between 2005 and the first part of 2009.

One SEMA member company, AC Propulsion, is converting gasoline powered production vehicles to electric powered.

Seen here, AC Propulsion tests their electric car components among other vehicles at an inaugural alternative fuel vehicle race.

Is your company ready for the electric car? Ready or not, electric cars are poised to take the automotive market by storm. CAFE, stimulus bill tax credits, rising fuel costs and climate change fears are all converging to push car companies and consumers alike toward electric cars.

Expect to see at least 20 new electric vehicles introduced during the next four years alone. The auto industry's goal is to have 1 million plug-in vehicles on U.S. roads by 2015.

Think that is impossible? Consider then that there have been more than a million hybrid electric vehicles sold in the U.S. in the last four years (and notice that sales have not dropped off as other new vehicle sales have).

“Electric drive will increasingly power the future of transportation,” says Brian Wynne, President of the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA). “Consumers and lawmakers are demanding solutions that will strengthen our economy, reduce oil imports and emissions, and increase our energy security.”

Stimulated by incentives, manufacturers are racing to turn plug-in electric vehicles into reality and be the first to quench thirsty eco-drivers. They include the Norwegian Th!nk, Toyota Prius PHEV, BMW's MINI E, Chevrolet Volt, Fisker Karma, GM's Opel Ampera, Mitsubishi i MiEV, a Nissan electric, Tesla Roadster, Pininfarina Bluecar and the ZENN.

Some of these are already available in the U.S. Most others have set a 2011 deadline.

As far as infrastructure is concerned, start-up Better Place plans to build plug-in stations, buy electric batteries and offer mileage plans to car owners, similar to minutes for cellphone users.

The scenario is typically like this: As electric cars continue to gain momentum, Pininfarina and Bollore’s electric Bluecar is finally being released in Europe. Able to go 100 kilometers for about the cost of $1, the 50 kW (68hp) motor can take passengers up to 250 km (155 miles) on a single charge.

Planned production rates are for 10,000 cars in 2010, double that in 2011, and 30,000 in 2012.

The car will first be available in six European countries: France, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, Spain and Switzerland. U.S. and Asian drivers will have to wait a little longer.

Part of the car’s hood is covered with high-performance solar panels which help power some of its equipment. Consistent with an ecologically responsible overall approach, all the materials employed for construction, the battery and interior trim have been carefully selected for their low environmental impact and are recyclable or reusable.

The Bolloré group is also looking into the design of photovoltaic cell panels to be installed in private or public places to allow partial or total recharging of the batteries through solar energy alone.

What this means to business:

• No longer mutually exclusive, cost- and eco-conscious consumers are looking for new ways to get around.
• Cutting-edge greenies finally have an opportunity to ditch the hybrid for a more purist approach.
• Evolutionaries like the problem-solving skills and pioneering spirit of companies that build roads through new territory. These early adopters will follow a charismatic industry leader into the new world.
• Talk is cheap. Fixing our oil dependence and the environment is not. Action attracts Evolutionaries like a magnet.

How will this affect the automotive specialty-equipment industry? Existing firms in the industry will have a number of options, which include, but are not limited to:

• Continue to produce, sell and install products for gasoline-powered vehicles
• Develop accessories and performance parts for electric vehicles
• Develop conversion kits and products for transforming gasoline-powered vehicles to electric

The U.S. fleet will not become electric-drive overnight. It will take time, but the momentum is building and the tipping point is fast approaching, so automotive specialty-product industry firms need to be thinking about how they will respond.

Think back to the '30s and the early days of our industry. It was all about making cars go faster, taking production vehicles and making them better. Then it was all about flat-head engines, which over time evolved to V8s. Here we go again! Now the cycle is about to repeat itself, this time with an electric engine at the core. It will be exciting seeing the automotive performance parts and accessories industry go to work on electric vehicles, but I must admit I will personally miss the sound of a well-tuned internal combustion engine through a throaty exhaust. —Jim Spoonhower

Nearly 1.2 million electric vehicles have been sold between 2005 and the first part of 2009.

One SEMA member company, AC Propulsion, is converting gasoline powered production vehicles to electric powered.

Seen here, AC Propulsion tests their electric car components among other vehicles at an inaugural alternative fuel vehicle race.

Is your company ready for the electric car? Ready or not, electric cars are poised to take the automotive market by storm. CAFE, stimulus bill tax credits, rising fuel costs and climate change fears are all converging to push car companies and consumers alike toward electric cars.

Expect to see at least 20 new electric vehicles introduced during the next four years alone. The auto industry's goal is to have 1 million plug-in vehicles on U.S. roads by 2015.

Think that is impossible? Consider then that there have been more than a million hybrid electric vehicles sold in the U.S. in the last four years (and notice that sales have not dropped off as other new vehicle sales have).

“Electric drive will increasingly power the future of transportation,” says Brian Wynne, President of the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA). “Consumers and lawmakers are demanding solutions that will strengthen our economy, reduce oil imports and emissions, and increase our energy security.”

Stimulated by incentives, manufacturers are racing to turn plug-in electric vehicles into reality and be the first to quench thirsty eco-drivers. They include the Norwegian Th!nk, Toyota Prius PHEV, BMW's MINI E, Chevrolet Volt, Fisker Karma, GM's Opel Ampera, Mitsubishi i MiEV, a Nissan electric, Tesla Roadster, Pininfarina Bluecar and the ZENN.

Some of these are already available in the U.S. Most others have set a 2011 deadline.

As far as infrastructure is concerned, start-up Better Place plans to build plug-in stations, buy electric batteries and offer mileage plans to car owners, similar to minutes for cellphone users.

The scenario is typically like this: As electric cars continue to gain momentum, Pininfarina and Bollore’s electric Bluecar is finally being released in Europe. Able to go 100 kilometers for about the cost of $1, the 50 kW (68hp) motor can take passengers up to 250 km (155 miles) on a single charge.

Planned production rates are for 10,000 cars in 2010, double that in 2011, and 30,000 in 2012.

The car will first be available in six European countries: France, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, Spain and Switzerland. U.S. and Asian drivers will have to wait a little longer.

Part of the car’s hood is covered with high-performance solar panels which help power some of its equipment. Consistent with an ecologically responsible overall approach, all the materials employed for construction, the battery and interior trim have been carefully selected for their low environmental impact and are recyclable or reusable.

The Bolloré group is also looking into the design of photovoltaic cell panels to be installed in private or public places to allow partial or total recharging of the batteries through solar energy alone.

What this means to business:

• No longer mutually exclusive, cost- and eco-conscious consumers are looking for new ways to get around.
• Cutting-edge greenies finally have an opportunity to ditch the hybrid for a more purist approach.
• Evolutionaries like the problem-solving skills and pioneering spirit of companies that build roads through new territory. These early adopters will follow a charismatic industry leader into the new world.
• Talk is cheap. Fixing our oil dependence and the environment is not. Action attracts Evolutionaries like a magnet.

How will this affect the automotive specialty-equipment industry? Existing firms in the industry will have a number of options, which include, but are not limited to:

• Continue to produce, sell and install products for gasoline-powered vehicles
• Develop accessories and performance parts for electric vehicles
• Develop conversion kits and products for transforming gasoline-powered vehicles to electric

The U.S. fleet will not become electric-drive overnight. It will take time, but the momentum is building and the tipping point is fast approaching, so automotive specialty-product industry firms need to be thinking about how they will respond.

Think back to the '30s and the early days of our industry. It was all about making cars go faster, taking production vehicles and making them better. Then it was all about flat-head engines, which over time evolved to V8s. Here we go again! Now the cycle is about to repeat itself, this time with an electric engine at the core. It will be exciting seeing the automotive performance parts and accessories industry go to work on electric vehicles, but I must admit I will personally miss the sound of a well-tuned internal combustion engine through a throaty exhaust. —Jim Spoonhower

Nearly 1.2 million electric vehicles have been sold between 2005 and the first part of 2009.

One SEMA member company, AC Propulsion, is converting gasoline powered production vehicles to electric powered.

Seen here, AC Propulsion tests their electric car components among other vehicles at an inaugural alternative fuel vehicle race.

Is your company ready for the electric car? Ready or not, electric cars are poised to take the automotive market by storm. CAFE, stimulus bill tax credits, rising fuel costs and climate change fears are all converging to push car companies and consumers alike toward electric cars.

Expect to see at least 20 new electric vehicles introduced during the next four years alone. The auto industry's goal is to have 1 million plug-in vehicles on U.S. roads by 2015.

Think that is impossible? Consider then that there have been more than a million hybrid electric vehicles sold in the U.S. in the last four years (and notice that sales have not dropped off as other new vehicle sales have).

“Electric drive will increasingly power the future of transportation,” says Brian Wynne, President of the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA). “Consumers and lawmakers are demanding solutions that will strengthen our economy, reduce oil imports and emissions, and increase our energy security.”

Stimulated by incentives, manufacturers are racing to turn plug-in electric vehicles into reality and be the first to quench thirsty eco-drivers. They include the Norwegian Th!nk, Toyota Prius PHEV, BMW's MINI E, Chevrolet Volt, Fisker Karma, GM's Opel Ampera, Mitsubishi i MiEV, a Nissan electric, Tesla Roadster, Pininfarina Bluecar and the ZENN.

Some of these are already available in the U.S. Most others have set a 2011 deadline.

As far as infrastructure is concerned, start-up Better Place plans to build plug-in stations, buy electric batteries and offer mileage plans to car owners, similar to minutes for cellphone users.

The scenario is typically like this: As electric cars continue to gain momentum, Pininfarina and Bollore’s electric Bluecar is finally being released in Europe. Able to go 100 kilometers for about the cost of $1, the 50 kW (68hp) motor can take passengers up to 250 km (155 miles) on a single charge.

Planned production rates are for 10,000 cars in 2010, double that in 2011, and 30,000 in 2012.

The car will first be available in six European countries: France, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, Spain and Switzerland. U.S. and Asian drivers will have to wait a little longer.

Part of the car’s hood is covered with high-performance solar panels which help power some of its equipment. Consistent with an ecologically responsible overall approach, all the materials employed for construction, the battery and interior trim have been carefully selected for their low environmental impact and are recyclable or reusable.

The Bolloré group is also looking into the design of photovoltaic cell panels to be installed in private or public places to allow partial or total recharging of the batteries through solar energy alone.

What this means to business:

• No longer mutually exclusive, cost- and eco-conscious consumers are looking for new ways to get around.
• Cutting-edge greenies finally have an opportunity to ditch the hybrid for a more purist approach.
• Evolutionaries like the problem-solving skills and pioneering spirit of companies that build roads through new territory. These early adopters will follow a charismatic industry leader into the new world.
• Talk is cheap. Fixing our oil dependence and the environment is not. Action attracts Evolutionaries like a magnet.

How will this affect the automotive specialty-equipment industry? Existing firms in the industry will have a number of options, which include, but are not limited to:

• Continue to produce, sell and install products for gasoline-powered vehicles
• Develop accessories and performance parts for electric vehicles
• Develop conversion kits and products for transforming gasoline-powered vehicles to electric

The U.S. fleet will not become electric-drive overnight. It will take time, but the momentum is building and the tipping point is fast approaching, so automotive specialty-product industry firms need to be thinking about how they will respond.

Think back to the '30s and the early days of our industry. It was all about making cars go faster, taking production vehicles and making them better. Then it was all about flat-head engines, which over time evolved to V8s. Here we go again! Now the cycle is about to repeat itself, this time with an electric engine at the core. It will be exciting seeing the automotive performance parts and accessories industry go to work on electric vehicles, but I must admit I will personally miss the sound of a well-tuned internal combustion engine through a throaty exhaust. —Jim Spoonhower