Sales of new SUVs are down 34 percent compared to 2007, according to January through August sales figures. CUV sales have declined by a mere five percent. The Chevrolet Tahoe and Jeep Wrangler are the top SUV sellers so far. These two also top the list of enthusiast favorites according to the latest SEMA Automotive Lifestyles Survey.

Recent results show that both SUV and CUV owners spent about $2,600 on average in the last 12 months personalizing their vehicles. Topping the favorite products list: plus-size tires, suspension parts, performance air filter replacements and custom exhaust systems.

Consumers seem to have switched their vehicle-buying preferences from SUVs to smaller and more fuel-efficient CUVs. Crossovers generally offer buyers comparable room and versatility to SUVs, despite sacrificing towing and hauling capabilities. Although CUVs are in their infancy in terms of enthusiast appeal, SEMA-member companies have been manufacturing and selling specialty equipment for CUV owners, both enthusiasts and mainstream consumers. According to a SEMA-member survey from earlier this year, more than 40 percent of those surveyed manufacture, distribute or sell specialty equipment targeted to CUV owners.

The tables above and below show which SUVs and CUVs are top sellers. Vehicles on these lists could provide the means for future revenue streams as these vehicle buyers look for products to enhance the comfort, performance and fuel economy of their rides.

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

Automotive forums play an increasing role in the distribution of information for hobbyists, but how often are enthusiasts visiting these forums?

Over half of enthusiasts surveyed said they visit forums at least once a week. Going mainly for sources of discussion about their hobby, events and product information, respondents could not isolate specific sites that are visited universally. While forums present the opportunity to offer vehicle- or topic-specific focus, they present a hurdle of complexity. The volume of sites can be difficult to assess and estimating relevant traffic is even more difficult.

From the survey, compact-performance enthusiasts tend to be the most involved, with more than 61.9% of participants visiting favorite sites every week. In SPC-sponsored (Formerly, SCC) Focus Panels, SEMA members have learned that consumers spend multiple hours each day online, some amassing four to five hours in front of the screen. A substantial source of that time is spent browsing and contributing to automotive forums. Additionally, their involvement is not limited to single forums, but rather a short list of related sites. Other market segments are similarly involved. Half of musclecar and street-rod enthusiasts visit forums each week.

Each site is home to a unique tone and environment for discussion. Some lean heavily on technology and DIY content, while others break off on tangents or focus attention to the automotive lifestyle. Nevertheless, the complex web of automotive forums represents an interconnected network for information dissemination. One recent phenomenon displayed the latent force of this tool.

On August 10, a member of www.tamparacing.com posted a forum thread warning others about an apparent scam. Within three days, the topic surpassed 260,000 views and was linked to various other sites. This type of occurrence was the result of active forum participation and illustrates the significance of this media.

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

With consumer demand shifting from SUVs and trucks to fuel-efficient cars, automakers are preparing to release their European small cars into the U.S. market. But the crossover isn’t that easy. According to www.online.wsj.com, U.S. regulations are causing automakers to scramble for cost-effective ways to adapt their European small cars to new guidelines.  

The article specifically details the efforts of Ford Motor Co. to bring over at least six vehicles that the Deaborn, Michigan, automaker currently offers in Europe. The company is preparing to spend $3 billion on the effort, and have announced plans to convert three of its North American SUV and truck factories to make small cars.   

But in order to follow U.S. safety regulations and insurance standards, Ford must update their European small cars with some potentially costly parts and steel reinforcements. Unless these changes are done efficiently, the vehicles could override the profits Ford needs to make on them or become too heavy for the desired fuel-efficiency.

Bumpers are among the biggest challenges that the automaker faces. Whereas European regulations require bumpers that cause minimal injury to pedestrians, U.S. standards require heavier bumpers since the focus is on causing no damage to a passenger car at 2.5 miles per hour.

Despite the obstacles, with Ford reporting a second quarter loss of $8.7 billion, the automaker’s survival may depend upon the successful introduction of their European cars to the United States. A newly designed Ford Fiesta subcompact recently had its launch preview in Europe. The Fiesta, originally intended for Europe and Asia, has been reworked for North America and is scheduled to arrive in dealer showrooms in the United States in the first half of 2010.

As the article further states, even with the successful re-tailoring of their European cars, Ford may still face hurdles. Ford must contend with the solid small-car reputation of Toyota and Honda. Also, it isn't clear how profitable Ford’s European cars would be in the United States. A car maker's profit margin on cars can be just a few hundred dollars, while each fullsize pickup and SUV that Detroit’s big three sells generally produces a pretax profit of approximately $8,000.

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

With the increasing global appeal of specialty automotive style and performance equipment, the 2008 SEMA Show, being held November 4–7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, has expanded its list of resources, special services and business opportunities created specifically for international visitors.

The annual trade-only event expects industry professionals representing more than 100 countries to be in Las Vegas the first week in November exploring the infinite possibilities that exist for global expansion. From qualified trade leads to international legislative advocacy and research studies, the SEMA Show serves as a valuable resource for those businesses looking to increase their international presence.

“The automotive specialty-equipment market is booming worldwide and the opportunities that exist for SEMA members in international markets are abundant, as evidenced by China’s recent decision to legalize vehicle personalization,” said Linda Spencer, SEMA director of international and government relations. “As the market’s largest trade event, the SEMA Show attracts more and more international businesses each year.”

The SEMA Show will offer its international visitors special resources that include: a custom-fit trade lead program that matches buyers with the exhibitors of products of particular interest; dozens of free seminars; wide-ranging education programs; roundtable discussions about selling in the United States and international markets; a SEMA International Buyers Guide; multilingual “We Export” signs at exhibitor booths; export experts at key booths, social functions and networking opportunities.

SEMA staff from the United States and overseas offices, as well as representatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Embassy, will be available to assist SEMA Show attendees from around the world.

To accommodate this important international audience, SEMA will also offer the Center for International Commerce (CIC). Located on the Skybridge between the Central and South Halls in Room S229. The center offers:

• Consultation with SEMA's international staff and U.S. Department of Commerce representatives, interpreters, Internet access and international phone, fax and e-mail service

• Free private meeting space to meet with current and potential international customers

• In cooperation with international publishers, copies of specialty-equipment magazines from around the world, providing a look at which companies are advertising and which products and project vehicles are featured in publications from Japan, Germany, Italy, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico and Venezuela and the rest of the world

• Up-to-date look-up and printouts of international buyers at the 2008 SEMA Show AAIW, including on-site registrants

• Copies of SEMA international reports

• An electronic locator that will make it even easier for buyers to locate the products they seek at the Show.

SEMA will also host its Fifth Annual Global Media Awards event that recognizes the top new style and performance products introduced at the Show, as voted on by a prestigious jury of international journalists. The voting panel reviews more than 1,500 new products and from these, each journalist selects the products that would most interest enthusiasts in their respective country.

Winners are invited to attend the awards ceremony, which attracts hundreds of international buyers, U.S. Department of Commerce officials, SEMA-member company representatives and the press.

All year-round, SEMA’s International Relations Program provides comprehensive services to help automotive specialty-equipment companies expand worldwide. As global demand for the industry’s products soars, SEMA helps its members identify the most viable economies, business organizations, regions for growth, and vehicle types for development and educates them on how best to proceed. SEMA works with governments and associations all over the world to promote local automotive specialty-equipment businesses and the trade and industry benefits they represent.

SEMA offers easy online registration available in seven languages—English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese and Portuguese—at www.semashow.com. The comprehensive website contains complete information about the SEMA Show: schedule, floor plan, exhibitor list and travel and accommodations. The site will be continually updated until the Show opens.

The SEMA Show is certified by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Buyer Program. For more information about programs and services available to international visitors at the SEMA Show, contact Linda Spencer: 202/783-4032 or lindas@sema.org.

Meguiar’s Inc., the 100-year-old family-owned manufacturer of Meguiar’s car-care products, has entered into an acquisition agreement with 3M, a global leader in materials manufacturing. 3M announced the acquisition on Monday. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Meguiar's brings its renowned products and history—from its beginnings providing Mirror Glaze polishes and waxes for professional use, to today's products for those dedicated to maintaining their vehicle’s finish—to 3M's range of automotive aftermarket products. Meguiar's products include waxes, polishes, cleaners, conditioners and protectants for the automotive and marine markets.

"The addition of Meguiar's builds on our professional offering for the automotive industry and brings the expertise of Barry Meguiar in the growing enthusiast market for car-care products," said Ian Hardgrove, vice president, 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division. "Together, Meguiar's and 3M will collaborate to deliver even more innovative high-performance products for enthusiasts around the world."

Car enthusiasts know Meguiar's not only for its products, but also for its presence at thousands of car shows across the country. Through Meguiar's internationally syndicated, multimedia broadcasting network, people with a passion for cars can experience major automotive events and the latest collector-car hobby news.

"Combining with 3M will greatly enhance our ability to serve and support ‘Car Crazy’ people on a global basis," said Barry Meguiar, president and CEO, Meguiar's Inc. "We are excited about the opportunity to grow our business by joining forces with one of the world's great global companies and working together to increase our support of the car hobby worldwide."

3M's Automotive Aftermarket Division provides a comprehensive line of 3M products for auto body repair professionals and auto enthusiasts. Products include abrasives and accessories, performance cleaning products, waxes, masking tapes, panel bonding adhesives, general adhesives coatings and sealers, paint finishing polishes and compounds, and paint application systems. Complementary acquisitions such as this support 3M's growth strategy to strengthen its core businesses and expand into adjacent markets.

Meguiar's is headquartered in Irvine, California, and employs approximately 115 people. The transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

Sawaya Segalas & Co., LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to Meguiar's Inc.

Chosen by 20 out of 24 "Best of Class" winners at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Meguiar's provides specialized products for every automotive surface, including paint, wheels, tires, and interiors. As part of its support for the car hobby, Meguiar's sponsors more than 11,000 car shows globally and produces Meguiar's Car Crazy Television and Radio that represent car enthusiasts worldwide.

A recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M's core strength is applying its more than 40 technology platforms, often in combination, to a wide array of customer needs. With $24 billion in sales, 3M employs 79,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 60 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com.

Project B Mustang
In progress at Galpin Auto Sports, power for this sled, based on a current-generation Mustang, will come from a twin-supercharged V8 stroked to 5.0 liters.

Fox Marketing/Artisan Lexus IS-F
Artisan developed a twin-turbo setup for this IS-F's 5.0L V8, which they're estimating to hit 600 hp at the rear wheels.

HKS 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
The second of three Genesis models that Hyundai plans to unveil at the 2008 SEMA Show is this 2.0 L turbocharged model tuned by HKS.

2009 Hurst/Hemi Dodge Challenger
Not only is this Challenger set to debut at the 2008 SEMA Show with Hurst's iconic polished five-spokes and pistol-grip shifter, but you'll also be able to buy the limited-edition run at participating Dodge dealerships.