Toyota is advancing the idea of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Camry hybrid by building one for auto show display. This will not be the first time the manufacturer has toyed with CNG in the Camry; it experimented with the idea in 1999.

“With the combination of plentiful long-term supplies in North America, improved and more efficient recovery methods, favorable pricing and clean-burn/low emissions characteristics, CNG has become a prime energy-source for the future," said Irv Miller, Toyota Motor Sales group vice-president from the Sustainable Mobility Seminar.

 
Honda is the only manufacturer currently selling a CNG vehicle to the mainstream public. Its Civic GX was awarded the “America’s Greenest Car” designation from American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Even with production expected to double for 2009 however, Honda will only be able to manufacture roughly 2,000 units next year.

Even in a time when gasoline alternatives are becoming more attractive, special refueling techniques and a limited infrastructure for natural gas poses a problem. Currently, many fueling stations are for private and fleet use only. The Department of Energy lists 778 CNG sites across the United States, while the Natural Gas Vehicles for America (NGVA) coalition cites more than 1,100.

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

In September, the SEMA Performance Parts and Accessories Demand Index (PADI) gained some much needed momentum. The PADI improved by five points, or 12%, going from 43 in August to 48 in September.

The SEMA PADI, and each of the three sub-indices, is a weighted composite index computed relative to its own baseline value, calculated by taking an average of January through March 2007 raw percentages. This average is then set to 100, and each month’s index is computed relative to the change from its baseline.

The indices track consumer plans to purchase specialty-equipment products within the next three months of each respective survey. The indices, and their movements, are projectable to the national market for specialty-equipment products, which consists of more than 114 million U.S. households.

A September index value of 48 translates to about 13% of adult American drivers (or approximately 13+ million households) indicating that they had plans to purchase specialty-equipment products sometime within the next three months.

Roughly 12% of consumers surveyed said that they plan to purchase specialty equipment in August. So a jump to 13% in September means that, potentially, 1 million more households plan to purchase custom parts and accessories over the next three months.

A little more than 6% of consumers said that they were likely to purchase wheels, tires and suspension components within the next three months, down only slightly from last month but less than half from this time last year.

While nearly 6% said that they were likely to purchase racing and performance products in September, about a half of a percentage point jump from August, 9% of consumers surveyed this time last year said that they would purchase racing and performance products within the following three months.

In September, 6% surveyed said that they were likely to purchase accessories and appearance products within the next three months, up nearly half a percentage point from the previous month but down from 8% this time last year.

Over the last three months, on average, pickups (20%) were the most common target vehicles for enhancement or modification, followed by compact cars (17%), fullsize and midsize cars (16% each).

Over the last three months on average, car dealerships (23%) were the most popular purchase destinations among those planning to enhance their vehicles, followed by the Internet (18%), independent auto parts stores (14%) and chain auto parts stores (13%).

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

Chrysler's lineup of secretly-developed electric cars: Town  & Country minivan, Jeep Wrangler and two-seat Dodge EV.

Chrysler has unveiled a secret lineup of electric vehicles and has promised to make one of them available to consumers by 2010. 

According to www.foxnews.com, the most exciting of the three is the two-seat Dodge EV, a pure electric sports car with a range of up to 200 miles before needing a recharge. The Dodge EV is based on the same Lotus-sourced platform as the Tesla Roadster, as reported on in last week’s eNews issue. The Dodge operates on lithium-ion batteries that powers a 268hp motor. The vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 60 in under 5 seconds.

The electric lineup also includes the Chrysler EV, which the article pegs as a reengineered Town & Country minivan. Chrysler claims the vehicle will have the capability to drive 40 miles on pure electric power. Similarities to the Volt include a small on-board gasoline engine that can charge the batteries and extend the range of the vehicle to up to 400 miles, at an average of 50 miles per gallon.

The last of the secret lineup is the Jeep EV, a four-door Wrangler Unlimited that uses the same gas-electric combination as the minivan, but with four electric motors.

Chrysler has not revealed planned sticker prices, and it is unclear which of the three electric vehicles will be the first to arrive in showrooms.

Staying competitive in the automotive specialty-equipment market amidst today’s challenging economy is the focus of this year’s educational seminars, held in conjunction with the 2008 SEMA Show. With the SEMA Show taking place November 4–7, 2008 in Las Vegas, the educational program begins Monday, November 3 and continues daily until November 6.

This year’s program includes more than 60 seminars and 100 speakers who will help industry professionals take advantage of this learning opportunity to expand their business knowledge, discover new strategies and understand the trends shaping the future of the industry.

“One of SEMA’s charges as a trade association is to provide industry professionals with the tools that they need to succeed and prosper by keeping them on the leading edge of business knowledge,” said Nathan Ridnouer, SEMA’s senior director of member services. “The educational seminars are a great way for attendees to capitalize on their Show investment by taking advantage of learning opportunities that can help them achieve success after they leave Las Vegas.”

The educational seminars are held in the Las Vegas Convention Center and are complimentary to all Show attendees. This year’s educational program is specifically designed to address many industry-specific issues facing companies in today’s ever-changing business environment.

A special emphasis was put toward making it easier for Show attendees to identify and attend the sessions that are of greatest value to them. For the first time, sessions will be broken down into “tracks” that will include:

• Custom Services and Sales Solutions
• Essential Data Management Strategies, Sponsored by the SEMA BTC
• Industry Trends and Forecasts
• International
• Leadership in a Challenging Economy
• Marketing Trends
• Motivation and Supervision Tactics
• Online Marketing, Sponsored by eBay Motors
• Small Business Finance and Operations
• Small Business IT Manager, Sponsored by the SEMA BTC

“The educational program we put together this year addresses the most important topics affecting the industry and provides practical solutions to solving everyday challenges, which is critical to the overall health and future of the specialty-equipment industry,” added Ridnouer. “While the thousands of new products, technical demonstrations and abundant business opportunities are a big part of the Show, many SEMA members tell us that the educational seminars are the main reason they attend.”

Seminar details, including topics, dates, times, locations and descriptions, are posted on www.SEMAShow.com. The website also includes updates and information about the SEMA Show.

If you have not already registered for the Show, click here to register. Industry professionals who attended the 2006 or 2007 SEMA Show are encouraged to register using their personalized alumni number, which will save them time and allow them to register without having to resubmit proof-of-trade status. Alumni numbers were sent to all past attendees or can be obtained on the Show registration site. If you are unable to obtain your alumni number, contact Show Management at SEMA-reg@convexx.com. 

A 2008 SEMA survey reveals that the racing and performance market has seen a 26.5% growth over the last five years, going from manufacturer sales of $283 million in 2003 to $358 million in 2007.

The racing and performance market includes the racing and street performance niches, as well as the performance segment of the remaining seven SEMA market niches.

Manufacturer sales for street performance also grew from 2003 to 2007, from $635 million to $739 million, an increase of 16.4%.

Sales for performance parts across SEMA’s nine niches rose 38% over the same period, with 2003 sales of $1.76 billion growing to $2.43 billion in 2007. Manufacturer sales for performance parts represent about 18% of the total manufacturer sales for specialty-equipment parts.

"Performance parts represent nearly 18% of the sales for the specialty-equipment market,” said Megan McKernan, SEMA market research special projects manager. “The racing and performance section of the SEMA Show continues to hold the top spot in terms of size and number of booths, and consumers and enthusiasts alike often associate the specialty-equipment market with performance."

The current economy can be compared to what was demonstrated in 1991, when manufacturer sales for performance products dropped 6% from the previous year, and overall manufacturer sales dropped approximately 4%. But at that time, manufacturer sales for performance products increased 4% and those for the overall specialty-equipment market grew 9% in 1992. Considering the similarities between that time period and now, there is a good indication that the slump in sales will not be long-term and that the market will bounce back.

“The drag-racing market is still quite strong at this time with good sales at the track,” said Bob Ritzman, director of motorsports and customer service for B&M Racing. “However, the street performance market is a little weak.

Ritzman observed that gas prices have affected street-performance enthusiasts more than they had racers, because “racers will always find a way to get the car to the track.”

For more original market research, click here.

Arrow Speed Warehouse, a 51-year-old distributor of specialty equipment based in Kansas City, Kansas, filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this week. According to the Kansas City Star and other local media reports, Keystone Automotive Operations has emerged as a likely buyer for Arrow Speed’s assets.

Keystone has reportedly bid $12 million to acquire Arrow Speed’s inventory and other assets, according to a company press release.

The Star reports that Arrow Speed listed assets of $26 million and debts of $31.6 million in its Chapter 11 filing. In the wake of the filing, Arrow Speed laid off about 35 of its 213 employees.

“It’s the whole economy right now—$4 gas, low consumer confidence, and consumers not having discretionary income,” Ronald L. Coppaken, president and principal owner of Arrow Speed since 1985, told the Star. “And then we sell a lot of truck accessories, and quite frankly, the lack of light truck sales and SUVs has caused our business to be down.”

Arrow Speed has 100,000 square feet of warehouse and office space in Kansas City, Kansas, and branch warehouses totaling 170,000 square feet in Tulsa, St. Louis, St. Paul, Dallas and Nashville.

Heads up, accessory installers, restylers and custom wheel and tire specialists! The registration deadline for the SEMA certification exams has been extended to Tuesday, September 30.
 
Gain a quality advantage in your market. Register now for the upcoming  SEMA Installer Certification exams. The SEMA program includes six exams. All tests will be offered on Thursday, November 13 at more than 700 test centers in the United States and Canada. Testing begins at 7:00 p.m. local time.

The six exams include Z1/Electric Sunroofs; Z2/Truck Accessories & Body Exterior Components; Z3/Leather Interiors; Z4/Roof Treatments; Z5/Custom Wheel and Tire; and the all-new Z6/Self-Adhesive Products.
 
Complete information on the SEMA exams, including registration forms, is available online at www.sema.org/certification or by e-mailing Beverly Rosen at beverlyr@sema.org.

Our industry has much at stake in this election. On November 4, 2008, voters will elect thousands of state and local leaders, 11 governors, 435 members of Congress, 35 senators and a new president. Each and every one of these elected officials has the ability to positively or negatively shape legislation affecting each of us, our company and our communities.

Given that most of the industry will be in Las Vegas attending the SEMA Show, individuals are urged to vote prior to leaving. The links below will provide information on voter registration, obtaining absentee ballots or where available, voting early in person.

This information is designed to encourage employees of SEMA-member companies, regardless of political affiliations, to exercise their civic duty and vote. This message is brought to you by SEMA PAC. For more information, contact PAC Administrator Jason Tolleson at jasont@sema.org or by phone at 909/396-0289, ext. 168.

Voter Information

Alabama
Register to Vote—deadline: October 24
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 30

Alaska
Register to vote—deadline: October 5
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 25

Arizona
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 24
Early voting in person starting October 2

Arkansas
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 29
Early voting in person starting October 20

California
Register to vote—deadline: October 20
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 28

Colorado
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 28
Early voting in person starting October 20

Connecticut
Register to vote—deadline: October 28
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: November 3

Delaware
Register to vote—deadline: October 11
Absentee ballot—deadline: November 4

Florida
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 29

Georgia
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 31

Hawai'i
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 28
Early voting in person from Oct 21 to Nov 1

Idaho
Register to vote—deadline: October 10
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 29

Illinois
Register to vote—deadline: October 7
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 27
Early voting in person from October 14 to October 30

Indiana
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 27
Early voting in person from October 6 to November 3

Iowa
Register to vote—deadline: November 5
Absentee ballot—deadline: October 31

Kansas
Register to vote—deadline: October 20
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 31

Kentucky
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline: October 29
Early voting in person starts 12 days prior to an election

Louisiana
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—must vote in person from October 21 to October 28

Maine
Register to vote—deadline: November 5
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: November 4
Early voting in person starting 30 days prior to an election   

Maryland
Register to vote—deadline: October 14
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 28

Massachusetts
Register to vote—deadline: October 15
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: November 3, 12:00 p.m.

Michigan
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: November 1  

Minnesota
Register to vote—deadline: November 5
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: no deadline; ballot must be returned by Election Day

Mississippi
Register to vote—deadline: October 3
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: contact your circuit or municipal clerk

Missouri
Register to vote—deadline: October 8
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 29

Montana
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: November 3, 12:00 p.m.

Nebraska
Register to vote—deadline: October 17
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 27

Nevada
Register to vote—deadline: October 14
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 28
Early voting in person from Oct 18 to Oct 31

New Hampshire
Register to vote—deadline: October 25
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: contact your town or city clerk

New Jersey
Register to vote—deadline: October 14
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 28

New Mexico
Register to vote—deadline: October 7
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 31
Early voting in person from October 18 to November 1

New York
Register to vote—deadline: October 10
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 28

North Carolina
Register to vote—deadline: October 10
Absentee ballot—deadline: November 4

North Dakota
Register to vote—deadline: don't need to register
Absentee ballot—deadline: November 4

Ohio
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: November 1

Oklahoma
Register to vote—deadline: October 10
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 29

Oregon
Register to vote—deadline: October 14
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: all voting is by mail

Pennsylvania
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 28

Rhode Island
Register to vote—deadline: October 4
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 14

South Carolina
Register to vote—deadline: October 4
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: November 1

South Dakota
Register to vote—deadline: October 20
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: November 5

Tennessee
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 28
Early voting in person from October 15 to October 30   

Texas
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 28
Early voting in person from October 20 to October 31

Utah
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 31

Vermont
Register to vote—deadline: October 29
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: November 3

Virginia
Register to vote—deadline: October 6
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 28
Early voting in person ends November 1

Washington
Register to vote—deadline: October 4
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: November 3

West Virginia
Register to vote—deadline: October 14
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 29
Early voting in person from October 15 to November 1

Wisconsin
Register to vote—deadline: November 5
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: October 30

Wyoming
Register to vote—deadline: November 5
Absentee ballot—deadline to apply to vote by mail: contact your local county clerk

As previously reported, SEMA has been involved in an ongoing effort to accommodate the tightened budgets of our member companies, and have met with Las Vegas hotels and jetBlue to negotiate reduced rates and other incentives for attendees of the 2008 SEMA Show.

“We have worked with all our service providers throughout the year to create the best rates possible,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “Given the current economic climate, it has become increasingly important to ensure that the Show delivers the best value possible.”

The results of these efforts include reduced room rates and incentives at the following hotels:

• Palms Place: rate reduced from $245 to $199   
  
• Platinum: rate reduced from $199 to $189
• Signature at MGM: $245 rate reduced to $199
• Excalibur: $131 rate to a tiered rate of $89, $99, $119; $159 rate reduced to $139
• Mirage: tiered rate of $209 to $239 is now reduced to a tiered rate of $175 and $209
• Gold Coast: $138 rate to a tiered rate of $57, $66, $104; $88 rate reduced to $57
• Hilton: 2-for-1 buffet coupon, 2-for-1 drink in the Tempo Lounge and $10 in free casino play 
• Circus Circus: one free buffet dinner and $25 in free casino play
• MGM Grand: $25 bar/restaurant credit, 2-for-1 spa pass and 15% off spa services
• New York, New York: two welcome cocktails, 2-for-1 Il Fornaio breakfasts, $15 off of a spa treatment and 2-for-1 roller coaster ride
• Treasure Island: 15% off Mystere tickets

The reductions are retroactive and companies that have already booked accommodations for the Show will qualify for the new rates. Attendees with existing reservations will be contacted directly to facilitate necessary adjustments.

jetBlue has also announced that it will be offering Show attendees discounted round-trip airfare from any city in the United States to Las Vegas. The 5% discount is valid for outbound flights between October 29–November 7 and return flights November 2–9, and applies to flights reserved between now and November 4.

In order to receive the discount, all travel must be booked online.

Visit www.jetblue.com/promo, and enter promo code: SEMA08

Flights are capacity controlled, and any flight is entitled to the 5% discount as long as it fits the criteria outlined below.

All flights in a reservation must include valid routes and travel dates in order to receive a discount. If only one direction of travel is valid, please book your valid flight as a one-way trip using the promotional code, and the other segment as a one-way trip without the code.

Any changes to an itinerary booked with a promotional code will be subject to a change fee and any applicable increase in airfare, and it will also result in the removal of the discount.

Bookings may be cancelled, but will be subject to a cancellation fee. Other restrictions apply.

“We have gone to bat for SEMA members because we understand that dollars are tight right now,” said Kersting. “We expect to announce more incentives soon, but the best one of all continues to be the tremendous opportunity that the Show provides with the enormous gathering of buyers and manufacturers that will be in town.”

For more information and to register for the 2008 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

The deadline for exhibitors of the 2008 SEMA Show to register products for the SEMA Show New Products Showcase is next Friday, October 3. For more information and to register your product, click here.

SEMA presents a New Products Showcase at the SEMA Show each year, providing exhibitors with an outstanding opportunity to introduce products, packaging and merchandising to industry buyers and media.

The first product entered into the New Products Showcase is free if entered by October 3 using your exhibitor password. Your password was sent to your company's Show contact (the same password used for exhibitor registration and your SEMA Show Directory listing update). If you need to obtain your password, contact Michelle Lowery at 702/450-7662, ext. 119, or e-mail mlowery@convexx.com. All additional entries have a $75 fee per product if received by October 3. After October 3, you must submit your product entry at the Show, and the fee is $250 per product.

Complete information on the 2008 SEMA Show is located at www.SEMAShow.com.