Click on the logo to visit HRIA's website.

HRIA Education Day at Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show

A record number of manufacturers are on the slate to present seminars and workshops at the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show in Indianapolis, on March 12–14. Education Day, scheduled for March 12, provides a unique opportunity for manufacturers to discuss their products in great detail, focusing on the technical aspects, zeroing in on sales strategies and providing you the knowledge necessary to increase your bottom line. With only a handful of time slots remaining, sign up today to talk about your products, or join the more than 1,000 attendees learning how to make their businesses stronger and more profitable.

Receive a certificate of completion for each session you attend from start to finish. Available sessions include:

HRIA Column in SEMA Member News

Read HRIA's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For more information about HRIA, contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

ARMO Needs You

ARMO's strength and success depends on industry support. The ARMO Select Committee recently mailed out nomination forms for the ARMO Select Committee election and is asking you to identify the restoration industry's most talented leaders and nominate them for a seat on the ARMO Select Committee.

Please review the nomination form by clicking here, and tell us about a potential nominee and their leadership background. Self-nominations are also welcome. When filling out the nomination forms, often the best background and experience information comes from the source.

Nominations are due Friday, February 20. Please direct questions and submit forms to Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Attention ARMO Members Attending the Hotrod & Restoration Show

The Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show in Indianapolis from March 12–14, is a definite “don’t miss” event. Not only is this one of the greatest trade shows for our niche industry, but there are several educational and networking opportunities in store for ARMO members:

• Exhibitors of the Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show can sign up to host a workshop/seminar during the Hot Rod Industry Alliance’s (HRIA) Education Day on Thursday, March 12. This is a wonderful opportunity to share your knowledge and expertise with attendees during your own one-hour session. Click here for details.

• All ARMO members are invited to attend a networking mixer hosted by the Young Executives Network (YEN) at The Ram Restaurant & Brewery, 140 S. Illinois St., from 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Mix, mingle and meet new and old industry friends.

• Saturday, March 14, at 9:00 a.m., ARMO is hosting a seminar on "10 Things You Can Do Today to Improve Your Website Results Tomorrow" by Brian Offenberger.  

ARMO Column in SEMA Member News

Read ARMO's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

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Click on the logo to visit TORA's website.

George Lathouris Named TORA Chair-Elect

The TORA Select Committee has named Keystone’s George Lathouris as its chair-elect. Lathouris will assume his new responsibilities on July 1, when Kelly Kneifl assumes the duties of chairman from current Chairman Ron DiVincenzo. Congratulations to George!

TORA Column in SEMA Member News

Read TORA's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For more information about TORA, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

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MPMC Long-Range Planning Meeting

The annual MPMC Long-Range Planning Meeting will be held on Friday, January 23, from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., at the Embassy Suites LAX South in El Segundo, California, which is the site of the MPMC Media Trade Conference.

“We always have the meeting on the Friday following the Media Trade Conference,” said MPMC Chairman Bill Floyd. “The 100 member companies who exhibit at the conference only need an extra night’s hotel stay to participate in the meeting, and attendance is always very good. We include a review of the conference in the agenda, so we get quite a lot of work done every year. It’s always a productive meeting.”

Anyone interested in attending should RSVP with Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

Media Trade Conference Set

The annual MPMC Media Trade Conference kicked off on Tuesday, January 20. The annual event brought 100 MPMC-member manufacturers together with upwards of 200 media representatives for three days of face-to-face meetings. Unlike other trade events, the meetings are dedicated to providing and gathering editorial content. Ad sales are prohibited from the meeting agendas. A possible 42, half-hour long meetings are scheduled over the three-day event, and many media report that they get a full 12 months' worth of technical material at this single event.

“We really want to thank all the participants at this year’s event,” said MPMC Chairman Bill Floyd. “No one has to mention the economic crunch we are all feeling. To have so many exhibitors and media committed to the Media Trade Conference is an indicator of the importance of the event itself and the dedication of our members and the media. A heartfelt thank you from MPMC to everyone involved.”
 

MPMC Column in SEMA Member News

Read MPMC's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about MPMC, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

Click on the logo to visit MRC's website.

Manufacturers Seeking Rep List Now Available

Manufacturers’ representatives are encouraged to contact Staci Bostock at stacib@sema.org to request the Manufacturers Seeking Rep List, which is available at no cost. Compiled using information collected from manufacturers prior to the 2008 SEMA Show, the listing contains details on manufacturers currently seeking the services of manufacturers’ representatives along with the lines available and company contact information. The list was originally available in the MRC Rep Center during the week of the 2008 SEMA Show.

MRC Column in SEMA Member News

Read MRC's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about MRC, contact Staci Bostock at stacib@sema.org. 

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Click on the logo to visit PRO's website.

PRO Business Development Guidebook Now On Sale

In today’s ever-changing marketplace, staying ahead of the competition is more important and challenging than ever. To be successful, you not only need an effective business strategy, but also the tools and resources to help your company excel and stand out from the pack. The PRO Business Development Guidebook is your handy reference guide.

Beginning with an overview of the importance of having a business plan—including tips on how to develop a business plan and the many purposes it can serve—the manual offers chapter-by-chapter strategies for making your business a success.

From understanding the basics of business finance and the importance of quality and service and how to make them hallmarks of your business, to building knowledge and skills among your employees to branding your restyling business as a market leader, the guidebook offers information critical to the day-to-day and long-term operation of your business.

Whether you’re starting your own restyling business or already own one—be it mobile or brick and mortar—you’ll find the answers that you’ve been looking for in the guidebook. PRO Council members contributed much of the information contained in the guidebook, drawing on their experience and knowledge to present a valuable business tool.

Click here to download the business guidebook order form, or contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

PRO Column in SEMA Member News

Read PRO's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about PRO, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

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Click on the logo to visit SPC's website.

SPC Column in SEMA Member News

Read SPC's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

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WTC Column in SEMA Member News

Read WTC's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about WTC, contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org. 

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Click on the logo to visit SBN's website.

Discover the SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN

Everyone needs help or expert advice from time to time, and SEMA’s Mentoring Program is an excellent resource to get answers to all your questions. Whether you need to know more about SEMA, market information for a start-up company or advice on how to approach your boss about a new position, the SEMA Mentoring Program can help.

“Ask A Mentor” is perfect for one-time questions. You can expect multiple SEMA mentors to provide online guidance and answers to your industry-related questions.

Short-term Assistance/Guidance is for help with a specific project or task. A SEMA council/committee mentor with the expertise you seek will be paired up with you to provide guidance with your project.

Long-term Relationship is helpful for developing your professional career.  In this program segment you will be paired with a SEMA council/committee mentor who will provide guidance and assistance for ongoing career development or a long-term project.

So whether you just need an answer to a question or you want to cultivate a mentoring friendship, the SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN is available to help. After all, we can all use a little help from our friends.

For more information on the program, click here.

SBN Column in SEMA Member News

Read SBN's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about SBN, contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

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Did you know that the SEMA Young Executives Network has more than 500 members networking in the industry and is the largest SEMA committee? If you are employed by a SEMA-member company and are under the age of 39, then you can join the SEMA Young Executives Network for FREE. If you are interested in becoming part of the team, please visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.

YEN Member of the Month Spotlight

Did you know that YEN has a Member of the Month Spotlight on the SEMA website and that anyone can be nominated? To view previous selections or to make a nomination, visit www.sema.org/yen.

Discover The SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN

“I’ll get by with a little help from my friends…” - Joe Cocker

Everyone needs help or expert advice from time to time, and SEMA’s Mentoring Program is an excellent resource to get answers to all your questions. Whether you need to know more about SEMA, market information for a start-up company or advice on how to approach your boss about a new position, the SEMA Mentoring Program can help.

“Ask A Mentor” is perfect for one-time questions. You can expect multiple SEMA mentors to provide online guidance and answers to your industry-related questions.

Short-term Assistance/Guidance is for help with a specific project or task. A SEMA council/committee mentor with the expertise you seek will be paired up with you to provide guidance with your project.

Long-term Relationship is helpful for developing your professional career.  In this program segment you will be paired with a SEMA council/committee mentor who will provide guidance and assistance for ongoing career development or a long-term project.

So whether you just need an answer to a question or you want to cultivate a mentoring friendship, the SEMA Mentoring Program—Powered by the SBN is available to help. After all, we can all use a little help from our friends.

For more information on the program, click here.

YEN Column in SEMA Member News

Read YEN's column featured in the January/February issue of SEMA Member News by clicking here.

For information about YEN, contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

Filler for eNews

Dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows and activities have been announced. Details are:

SEMA MPMC Media Trade Conference, January 20–22, 2009, El Segundo, California

SEMA Webinar, "Social Media: A New Way to Take Your Business to the Top," January 22, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (PST)

SEMA Webinar, "Business Efficiency 101: Using Product Information to Increase Sales, Boost Image and Reduce Costs," February 5, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (PST)

SEMA Webinar, "Job Costing Systems That Will Boost Your Cash Flow," February 19, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (PST)

SEMA Webinar, "Increase Profitability With Fewer Customers," March 12, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (PST)

SEMA Webinar, "Change Management," April 9, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (PST)

SEMA Webinar, "Contract Law 101: Sponsored by SEMA SPC," May 7, 2009 (PST)

SEMA Webinar, "Sales and Marketing Strategies Guaranteed to Make SEMA '09 a Success," June 11, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (PST)

SEMA Webinar, "An Interactive Discussion on Selling Online," June 25, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (PST)

Aftermarket eForum, July 13–15, 2009, Chicago, Illinois

PAACE Automechanika Mexico, July 15–17, 2009, Mexico City

SEMA Webinar, "Introduction to Internet Marketing," July 16, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (PST)

SEMA Webinar, "Internet Marketing Tools," August 6, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (PST)

SEMA Webinar, "25 Ways to be Successful at the SEMA Show," August 20, 2009 (PST)

SEMA Webinar, "Basics of Website Design and Content," September 24, 2009

SEMA Show, November 3–6, 2009, Las Vegas, Nevada

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstoreusa.com) at Travel Store USA, 949/930-9268.

Looking for Some Extra Publicity for Your Industry Event?
Publicize your events through the SEMA Online Calendar of Events located at www.sema.org/calendar. The calendar is stocked with information on events taking place throughout the year, broken down by month. Examples of events featured in the calendar include consumer shows and club events, educational and training workshops, conventions and trade shows, races and more.

To submit your event details for the calendar, e-mail company name and the date(s), location and name of the event to Shirley Presecan at shirleyp@sema.org.

Every annual SEMA Show offers a unique set of storylines, and the 2008 event was no different. Coming-out parties for the Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger, the arrival of a legitimate Korean sports car in the Hyundai Genesis, and the growth spurt in performance-minded “green” technologies and projects highlighted last fall’s Show.

But one trend went relatively unnoticed until now: Buyers showed more interest in new mobile-electronics products than in any other category. And not just regular mobile electronics, which many interpret simply as car audio/video products, but products that improve and monitor engine performance, enhance safety and can record a blistering run around Road America in high-definition. 

SEMA used a new digital tracking method at the 2008 New Products Showcase which allowed visitors to use a key fob to scan the barcodes of products that interested them.

All of the top 10 most-scanned products were an electronic device, four of the 10 entered for consideration as Best New Mobile Electronics Product.

Drawing the most interest was an interface box that sends engine performance data and analysis to an Apple iPhone or iPod.

Buyers accounted for nearly 22,000 of the 25,300 scans, which also included those from media, exhibitors and non-buyers. The top 10 products receiving the most interest included:

#1: Innovate Motorsports OT-2 OpenTune Interface:
OBD-II interface for Apple iPhone or iPod Touch that includes a software performance computer, an efficiency calculator and advanced diagnostics.

#2: Gentex Rear Camera Display: 
An auto-dimming mirror with On Star capability and a 3.5-inch monitor for backup purposes.

#3: Chase Cam Auto Record:
Using motion-sensing recording, the ChaseCam Auto-Record feature can record an entire weekend of racing without pushing a single button.

#4: Maxima ARS:
Advanced mobile-electronics system offers security, safety, communication, on-road warnings and diagnostic features.

#5: Big Time Auto Parts/Austin Int'l 4-Channel Full-Version Vehicle Monitor System
This compact four-channel camera system not only relays real-time camera views, but can also record them.

#6: Chase Cam HD
A high-definition solid state video recorder with the ChaseCam motion-sensing Auto-Record.

#7: G-TECH/Pro EGS
The expandable Gauge System (EGS) incorporates an optional wideband oxygen sensor, an OBD-II scan tool, an eight-channel data acquisition module and more.

#8: Autometer Ecometer
Enables drivers to visually monitor how driving habits impact fuel consumption and mpg performance. It won 2nd place in Best New Mobile Electronics category.

#9: Autonet Mobile
The router turns any car into a WiFi hotspot, allowing multiple passengers to connect Wi-Fi-enabled gadgets to the Internet simultaneously.

#10: Dash Command
A touchscreen software delivering virtual dashboards for the dyno, skid pad and race track. Fully customizable, skin-able and scalable for any screen size/resolution. Works on any laptop, in-car Windows computer or iPhone/iPod.

Enthusiast spending is forecast to shift in 2009, according to preliminary results from a recent SEMA survey.

To arm the industry with timely consumer data, SEMA is launching a series of enthusiast polls designed to illustrate the true pulse of the market. The initial study is a consumer forecast that engages those in the hobby about their vision for 2009. From spending habits to opinions for manufacturers, thousands of enthusiasts will be contacted to submit their impressions about the upcoming year.

One element of the study that is becoming clear is the attitude towards spending. While the survey continues to reach additional enthusiasts, these introductory findings reveal valuable information for members of the specialty-equipment industry to consider.

For example, survey takers have been asked about the amount of money they spent on automotive parts and accessories throughout 2008. They are then asked to estimate the amount they intend to spend in the coming 12 months. Some of the early results suggest that the conditions of the current economy are hitting demographic groups differently.

On average, the amount enthusiasts say they expected to spend in 2009 ($2,673/person) was lower than the previous year: respondents claimed to spend $3,224 in 2008. This difference equates to a drop of roughly 17%. When examining the data in a stratified series however, the outcome looks much different.

Those who spent the most on parts and accessories in 2008 are more likely to feel the cash and credit pinch, while the more conservative spenders are optimistic. This distinction is extremely important as the majority of consumers fall within the lower- to middle-spending groups, meaning that the health of the overall industry looks promising.

While demand for extensive and expensive projects might be less common this year, the budget-minded folks remain steadfast in their dedication. Moreover, the most numerous consumers estimate spending more in 2009 than they did in 2008.

Additional market research into this study will be available in the coming weeks. 

For more original market research, please visit www.sema.org/research.

Besides being among the top-selling vehicles in the United States today, the Ford F-Series pickup, Honda Civic, Chevrolet Impala and Toyota Tacoma are among the most popular vehicles to be accessorized by automotive enthusiasts. Not only do these vehicles have the volume in terms of total units on the roads today, but they are popular among automotive enthusiasts and specialty-equipment companies.

Determining what constitutes a popular platform for vehicle customization is not an easy task. Some makes and models have high unit volumes while others are exclusive and rare. Mainstream vehicles often have a higher gross count due to their availability. Conversely, enthusiast-focused models are commonly limited in sales yet have higher percentages of modifications per unit or vehicles with modifications.

In order to give each characteristic a weighted representation, vehicles from four distinct lists were counted, with each mention counted just once per list. In the end, vehicles with the highest number of mentions for the lists were ranked. This process aimed to remove models that had high unit sales but were uncommon enthusiast vehicles and those that simply are too rare to be considered. Therefore, the final list merges vehicles that meet two criteria—high volume and popularity.

Databases Used

• Vehicle registrations - Experian Automotive
• Popular vehicle profiles - CarDomain
• SEMA Show exhibitor vehicles - SEMA
• Enthusiast-owned vehicles - SEMA

Although some of the vehicles are no longer in production, they still have high potential for personalization because they remain some of the most numerous models on the road today. More than 1 million vehicles in the list above are currently registered, according to Experian Automotive. Due to their high volume, the likelihood of owners accessorizing them even with minor personalization is higher compared to lower-volume vehicles.

Money spent by owners of each of the listed vehicles varies, according to results from SEMA’s Automotive Lifestyles Survey. Data from the latest edition—which resulted in 3,037 respondents of enthusiast automotive magazine subscribers and automotive forum visitors—showed that Camaro owners spent, on average, $3,500 on specialty equipment within the past 12 months. In contrast, Toyota Camry owners spent, on average, $1,400.

Average dollars spent by these vehicle owners varied significantly. For example, according to survey results, Mustang owners spent $3,000; Wrangler owners spent ($2,500); and Ford F-Series owners spent $2,600.

SEMA Show vehicles represent the latest and greatest offerings by specialty-equipment manufacturers. Therefore, the cars and trucks exhibited present a barometer of what is popular and trendsetting within the industry. Below are recent photos from the 2008 SEMA Show showing several vehicles from the list of most accessorized.

2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid by West Coast Customs

BMW 3 Series Coupe by Eneos Fully Synthetic Motor Oil

1970 Chevrolet Camaro by Meguiar's Inc.

Ford F-150 by Wade Automotive

2006 Jeep Wrangler by Superchips

2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI by TSW Alloy Wheels

2005 Toyota Tacoma by RCD Suspension

Honda Civic EX by GRIP Tuning

1962 Chevrolet Impala by Mothers Polishes Waxes Cleaners

*The list of vehicles in the table was assembled by comparing vehicles with at least 1 million total registrations with the top 50 vehicles at the 2008 SEMA Show, top 50 vehicles owned by CarDomain.com members and top 50 vehicles owned by enthusiasts polled for the 2008 Automotive Lifestyles survey during August – September of last year.

For more original market research, please visit www.sema.org/research.  

As unemployment increases, the stock market stumbles and the American economy faces difficult times, SEMA members have the opportunity to appreciate the relatively stable specialty-equipment market. 

According to SEMA market research, since 1990, the industry has reported consistent positive growth—with the only exception being 1991—despite two previous recessions in the economy.

The National Bureau of Economic Research, a private entity that identifies when the U.S. economy officially enters a recession, recognizes it as a “significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production and wholesale-retail sales.”

Last December, they announced that the United States was officially in a recession since December 2007. The previous two U.S. recessions or business-cycle peaks-to-troughs (each lasting only eight months) were in 1990/1991 and 2001. Specialty-equipment sales dipped 3.9% during the 1990/1991 recession but actually grew 3.8% during the 2001 recession.

To put things into perspective, the longest recessionary period since 1933 was 16 months long, from business cycle high to low point, meaning that we could come out of this current recession in mid-2009 if the past is any indication of where present activity is heading.

Economic analysis firm, The Institute for Trend Research, took a look at 2008 and made several forecasts for 2009. In their December 2008 EcoTrends report, they predicted that total U.S. industrial production in 2008 would decline 0.8% from 2007 while 2009, will experience a 4.1% year-over-year decline and is expected to last until first half of 2010. Retail sales (excluding autos) are expected to decline 1.7% in 2009 compared to 2008, which the company forecasted at 0.9% below 2007.

The onset of this decline, the report notes, began in 2006 and is not a result of recent economic events. Factoring the expected drop in new-vehicle sales in 2009 further depresses the overall drop in retail sales expected to come, but this may have less of an impact on the overall specialty-equipment industry than one may think.

Specialty-equipment sales tend to follow overall light-vehicles sales. Many of the largest growth periods for the sales of new cars and light trucks accompanied growth spurts for the specialty-equipment industry. But that does not mean that the opposite is true—declining vehicle sales have not typically lead to declines in specialty-equipment sales.

From 2001 to 2003, for example, vehicle sales dropped by an average of 1.5% each year while specialty-equipment sales rose, on average, by around 5% each year. One possible reason for this phenomenon: enthusiasts purchase used vehicles instead of new, but they continue pursuing their hobby of customizing their vehicles. In addition, the new-vehicle landscape today differs significantly from that of even 10 years ago.

Automotive magazine subscribers and forum visitors shape the “enthusiast” crowd of consumers who help push the specialty-equipment industry forward. During August–September of 2008, subscribers to 21 magazines and several forums were sent the Automotive Lifestyles Survey. A total of 3,037 enthusiasts responded. Around 22% of these enthusiasts purchased their vehicle within the last 12 months from when the survey was administered, and only 30% of these recent vehicle buyers purchased a new vehicle.

Further results showed that recent vehicle-buying enthusiasts plan to dedicate a sizable chunk (around $2,500, on average) of their $94,000-per-year (on average) household incomes toward specialty equipment for their cars and trucks. Some of the planned expenditures include brake upgrades, exhaust kits, air intakes and custom wheels.

For more original market research, visit www.sema.org/research.

Echo Boomers. iGeneration. The Millenials. The titles assigned to Generation Y are as significant and descriptive as the ones given to earlier hot rodders.

Those born after 1978—the most prevalent definition for a Gen Y—pose new challenges and opportunities as the next wave of automotive enthusiasts. Teens and late 20-somethings have aged in a digital world with access to technology that their parents never had. They have unique lifestyles, choices of entertainment and access to vehicles. But, are enthusiasts of this crop really all that much removed?
 
According to a study from automotive consulting firm AutoPacific, Gen Y types are highly social, Internet-savvy and susceptible to economic pressures. They are a “compact-car generation” and significantly more likely to desire an import car than their parents. The study concedes that these buyers purchase domestic brands as first cars for financial reasons, but the brands they “really want” are German and Japanese.

Given the opportunity, this set of consumers is more likely to buy these brands than Baby Boomers; 15% more for BMW, 14% for Nissan and 13% for Honda.

Automotive enthusiasts, on the other hand, are not always the typical consumer. SEMA research indicates a different story for the types of people interested in modifying their cars. Data from the Automotive Lifestyles Survey isolates information from more than 900 car fans from 16 to 30 years of age.

Compact cars certainly have a presence at 16% of those surveyed, but sports cars (28%) were much more common. Light trucks (15%) and luxury cars (10%) are also popular choices. When digging deeper, it becomes clear how much emphasis is placed on performance. The most popular segments chosen were race vehicles (48.9%) and musclecars (47.7%), two areas founded by performance.

Consequently, the preferred engine has eight cylinders (44%). Roughly half of the vehicles owned by enthusiasts are model-year 2000 and newer, and almost eight out of 10 were purchased used. Similarly, 70% of these vehicles were purchased more than a year ago.

These features are in line with enthusiasts of all ages. Where this generation begins to differ is how they learn about products and where they eventually purchase them. Half consult automotive magazines while a majority (74%) goes to the web for detailed information—specifications, installation guides, dyno charts and advice.

They rarely seek advice in person and often come prepared when visiting brick-and-mortar establishments. Instead, many spend time on websites and forums. About two-thirds (66%) frequent forums on a daily basis, and 84% check at least once during the course of a week.

Younger enthusiasts have not strayed too far from the roots of the industry. They still enjoy performance, the ability to customize and the lifestyle of the hobby.

For more original market research, visit www.sema.org/research.  

The European Parliament recently voted to allow dual measurements to be included on product labeling. The amendment indefinitely extends the use of supplementary units of measurement, such as pounds and inches. The extension eliminates a potential barrier to trade by forgoing the units of measurement directive—which mandates metric-only labeling—that was scheduled to take affect in 2010.

SEMA has a new list of distributors/importers available for members online at www.sema.org/international. The list was compiled from a number of sources, including a recent survey conducted for SEMA by the U.S. Embassy in South Africa. Here are some facts and figures on the South African market:

• Among the most popular cars to accessorize: BMW 3 Series, Honda Civic, Nissan 350Z and VW Golf. For light trucks, the list includes the Land Rover Defender, Mitsubishi Pajero, Nissan 1400 Pickup and Navara and Toyota Hilux and Land Cruiser (Prado, 70 and 200 Series).
• Cars per 1,000 people = 148 (compared to 765 in the United States)
• South Africans seek functional off-road accessories rather than those merely for show, given the serious off-roading excursions undertaken by many enthusiasts. Among the top-selling products for SUVs are protective and stylized aftermarket products, such as bull bars; recovery products, such as winches; performance products, such as engine enhancements; and traction products, such as specialty off-road tires and suspension.
• German and Japanese models have a larger share of the markets than American brands. Information on monthly car sales are available at www.naamsa.co.za.
• In a recent press release, Toyota announced that for the first 11 months of 2008, the Hilux was the overall top-selling vehicle in South Africa with cumulative sales of 25 206 units, 485 sales ahead of the top-selling passenger vehicle. In the 1-ton segment, the Hilux accounts for 37% of sales.
• Among the top enthusiast magazines in South Africa: SA4x4; Top Car South Africa; Speed & Sound; Torque; Leisure Wheels. A list of South African media is available online at www.sema.org/international.
• Growing Middle Class: The middle class in South Africa, especially the black middle class, has been a driving force in the growth of the specialty-equipment market. 
• New trade show: Automechanika South Africa will be held for the first time this March in Johannesburg. More information is available at www.automechanika.de.