K Sport exhibited this Honda Integra Type R (Acura RSX) at the 2008 SEMA Show with some of the most current products and styles indicative of the Honda tuning market.

As one of the largest benefactors of the early compact performance market, Honda has resonated with enthusiasts as an inexpensive performance option. Many owners enjoyed the relative easy of modification and vehicle accessibility; the cars were their commuters and the parts were numerous.

Enthusiasts have retained the same feelings they held in the boom years of the niche. In a recent survey of enthusiasts that own and modify Honda and Acura vehicles the emphasis on upgrading performance was as strong as ever. In one section of the survey participants were presented with a list of quotes which covered common and current topics and were asked to rate their level of agreement with the items given.

The highest levels of agreement fell upon performance (93%), expression (88%) and personalization (86%).


Performance and personal expression lead the motivations for customizing vehicles.

In a similar manner, Honda enthusiasts disagreed with the concept of owning a vehicle with the primary purpose of using it for basic transportation (69%); not shocking as these owners are already biased towards modifying their vehicles. The next highest level of disagreement was in regard to preferring aesthetic improvements in lieu of performance (64%).

What should be noted is the disparity between the answers of expression (88%) and vehicle appearance (64%). These enthusiasts have a need to express themselves through their cars but do not do so with appearance modifications as the conduit. In other words, performance products are the tools for expression rather than strict appearance. This is a subtle, but important characteristic as it highlights the departure away from the trends during the niche’s heyday.


Intakes, exhausts and suspension products top the performance list.


The largest changes were for suspension and stereo equipment.

The tables listed here not only illustrate the top products purchased by enthusiasts, but also the ones that have the largest difference when related to the previous year. SEMA continues to collect data on an annual basis, thus allowing for year-to-year comparisons.

Honda enthusiasts appear to be moving away from stereo and mobile-electronic upgrades and focusing their attention on suspension items and more committed engine modifications, such as camshafts, valvetrain components and headers—items typically reserved for serious hobbyists. — SEMA Research & Information Center

Above all other products attributes, enthusiasts overwhelmingly prefer quality.

SEMA research has undertaken a study to determine what matters most to enthusiasts. In recent surveys, consumers were given the opportunity to weigh in on the features they prefer from manufacturers. In two different scenarios—one in which the characteristics of the products were listed and another when the question was left open for respondents to fill in—the results ended the same. In both cases, quality was more important than name brand, performance and even price.

The following table lists the results from the prompted question where enthusiasts were given a list of product attributes to rank. The results have been split by age group, and for the most part, the differences between this demographic profile are insignificant. The group with the largest variance is the 16–27 age block where they placed slightly more extreme values on return policy, warranty, quality and price than the others.

The oldest and most established group—64 years old and higher—places the least amount of emphasis on price and brand name.


Regardless of age, quality is the most important attribute enthusiasts care about.

In a subsequent survey, enthusiasts were given the same question without a list of characteristics to choose from. In other words, they were in complete control to enter the values they appreciate the most. These responses varied widely and were processed using common key words.

For example, “Made in the United States” and “American-made” translate to nearly the same meaning and were entered into “Manufacturing Origin” for this table.

As in the scenario before, hobbyists enthusiastically entered quality as their leading feature followed by price and performance. The results from more than 1,000 respondents were tabulated and listed below.


Even when left without prompts, enthusiasts still chose product quality as the leading feature.

As manufacturers and retailers begin building business models and developing new products, one of the first steps should be to understand what consumers want. Both methods were employed to decrease the chance of survey error and should be viewed in tandem. — SEMA Research & Information Center

Above all other products attributes, enthusiasts overwhelmingly prefer quality.

SEMA research has undertaken a study to determine what matters most to enthusiasts. In recent surveys, consumers were given the opportunity to weigh in on the features they prefer from manufacturers. In two different scenarios—one in which the characteristics of the products were listed and another when the question was left open for respondents to fill in—the results ended the same. In both cases, quality was more important than name brand, performance and even price.

The following table lists the results from the prompted question where enthusiasts were given a list of product attributes to rank. The results have been split by age group, and for the most part, the differences between this demographic profile are insignificant. The group with the largest variance is the 16–27 age block where they placed slightly more extreme values on return policy, warranty, quality and price than the others.

The oldest and most established group—64 years old and higher—places the least amount of emphasis on price and brand name.


Regardless of age, quality is the most important attribute enthusiasts care about.

In a subsequent survey, enthusiasts were given the same question without a list of characteristics to choose from. In other words, they were in complete control to enter the values they appreciate the most. These responses varied widely and were processed using common key words.

For example, “Made in the United States” and “American-made” translate to nearly the same meaning and were entered into “Manufacturing Origin” for this table.

As in the scenario before, hobbyists enthusiastically entered quality as their leading feature followed by price and performance. The results from more than 1,000 respondents were tabulated and listed below.


Even when left without prompts, enthusiasts still chose product quality as the leading feature.

As manufacturers and retailers begin building business models and developing new products, one of the first steps should be to understand what consumers want. Both methods were employed to decrease the chance of survey error and should be viewed in tandem. — SEMA Research & Information Center

Part four of the SEMA Recession Survival Webinar Series, entitled “Protecting Your Finances in a Volatile Economy” and presented by Matthew Egan, vice president and senior financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, revealed that an effective asset allocation strategy, combined by preserving your principal, can help you outlast the current economic climate.

Egan advises listeners to maintain an asset allocation strategy that includes stocks, bonds, cash, real estate, bear market weightings, cash (CDs, money funds and FDIC insurance) and precious metals.

"[Asset allocation] continues to be the most critical way to handle your personal finances, your investments and your 401k plans," said Egan. "You need to always look at your asset allocation—the ratio between the stock exposure you have, the bond exposure, the cash, the real estate and [precious metals]."

With stocks, be on the hunt for the highest quality “survivors.” Also, pay attention to the payout ratio, mind the sectors and create an enter and exit strategy. Always administer risk management.

"The number one way to control risk: Control dollar exposure," said Egan. "Always focus on how much money you are exposing, relative to your overall portfolio. So if you have 90% of your money in one thing, you're just begging for a scary ride. Spreading your dollars over the different components is really, really important when you are asset allocating, and you have to watch the money."

Within mutual funds, Egan states that you must know what you own. Figure out where your mutual funds fit into your asset allocation. Control risk with monetary exposure, and maintain a long-term mentality.

In terms of a cash investment, Egan steers listeners away from money funds.

"Most money funds now are paying like 0.1%, 0.2%: You get a tenth, two-tenths of a percent interest—peanuts," said Egan. "It's really hard to get yield right now."

Download an audio or PDF version of the webinar here.

Don’t miss the upcoming webinar:

• "Tough Times Bring Change: Learn How to Manage and Move Forward," Thursday, April 9, 2009, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. (PDT)
  

Part four of the SEMA Recession Survival Webinar Series, entitled “Protecting Your Finances in a Volatile Economy” and presented by Matthew Egan, vice president and senior financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, revealed that an effective asset allocation strategy, combined by preserving your principal, can help you outlast the current economic climate.

Egan advises listeners to maintain an asset allocation strategy that includes stocks, bonds, cash, real estate, bear market weightings, cash (CDs, money funds and FDIC insurance) and precious metals.

"[Asset allocation] continues to be the most critical way to handle your personal finances, your investments and your 401k plans," said Egan. "You need to always look at your asset allocation—the ratio between the stock exposure you have, the bond exposure, the cash, the real estate and [precious metals]."

With stocks, be on the hunt for the highest quality “survivors.” Also, pay attention to the payout ratio, mind the sectors and create an enter and exit strategy. Always administer risk management.

"The number one way to control risk: Control dollar exposure," said Egan. "Always focus on how much money you are exposing, relative to your overall portfolio. So if you have 90% of your money in one thing, you're just begging for a scary ride. Spreading your dollars over the different components is really, really important when you are asset allocating, and you have to watch the money."

Within mutual funds, Egan states that you must know what you own. Figure out where your mutual funds fit into your asset allocation. Control risk with monetary exposure, and maintain a long-term mentality.

In terms of a cash investment, Egan steers listeners away from money funds.

"Most money funds now are paying like 0.1%, 0.2%: You get a tenth, two-tenths of a percent interest—peanuts," said Egan. "It's really hard to get yield right now."

Download an audio or PDF version of the webinar here.

Don’t miss the upcoming webinar:

• "Tough Times Bring Change: Learn How to Manage and Move Forward," Thursday, April 9, 2009, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. (PDT)
  

Part four of the SEMA Recession Survival Webinar Series, entitled “Protecting Your Finances in a Volatile Economy” and presented by Matthew Egan, vice president and senior financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, revealed that an effective asset allocation strategy, combined by preserving your principal, can help you outlast the current economic climate.

Egan advises listeners to maintain an asset allocation strategy that includes stocks, bonds, cash, real estate, bear market weightings, cash (CDs, money funds and FDIC insurance) and precious metals.

"[Asset allocation] continues to be the most critical way to handle your personal finances, your investments and your 401k plans," said Egan. "You need to always look at your asset allocation—the ratio between the stock exposure you have, the bond exposure, the cash, the real estate and [precious metals]."

With stocks, be on the hunt for the highest quality “survivors.” Also, pay attention to the payout ratio, mind the sectors and create an enter and exit strategy. Always administer risk management.

"The number one way to control risk: Control dollar exposure," said Egan. "Always focus on how much money you are exposing, relative to your overall portfolio. So if you have 90% of your money in one thing, you're just begging for a scary ride. Spreading your dollars over the different components is really, really important when you are asset allocating, and you have to watch the money."

Within mutual funds, Egan states that you must know what you own. Figure out where your mutual funds fit into your asset allocation. Control risk with monetary exposure, and maintain a long-term mentality.

In terms of a cash investment, Egan steers listeners away from money funds.

"Most money funds now are paying like 0.1%, 0.2%: You get a tenth, two-tenths of a percent interest—peanuts," said Egan. "It's really hard to get yield right now."

Download an audio or PDF version of the webinar here.

Don’t miss the upcoming webinar:

• "Tough Times Bring Change: Learn How to Manage and Move Forward," Thursday, April 9, 2009, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. (PDT)