SEMA Show exhibitors: Get some extra company exposure at the 2008 SEMA Show by offering your products to builders through the SEMA Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list. Included each week in SEMA eNews, the list is accessed by hundreds of builders seeking the pieces that add extra flair to their project vehicles. Product placement opportunities such as this are so beneficial that many exhibitors offer products for free or at a greatly reduced rate.

The SEMA Store is running a series of promotions through the end of August on merchandise from the 2007 SEMA Show.

The current promotion: From July 9–15, the SEMA Store is offering 25% off on all Greg Norman Polos, plus free shipping on orders of $50 or more. The short-sleeved golf shirts feature the SEMA Show logo embroidered on the chest in a subtle "tone on tone."

For more information, visit www.semastore.com.

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

>> PAACE Automechanika Mexico, July, 9–11, 2008, Mexico City 
>> SEMA Webinar, "Selling Has Nothing to do With Selling," July 10, 2008 11:00 a.m. (PDT)
>> 2008 Aftermarket eForum, July 14–16, 2008, Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Chicago
>> SEMA Webinar, "Leverage Your Company's Strengths in a Difficult Market," July 17, 2008 10:00 a.m. (PDT)
>> SEMA Internet Symposium, July 25, Irvine, California
>> SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, Friday, July 25, Irvine, California
>> SEMA Show, November 4–7, 2008, Las Vegas 
>> SEMA Show, Dealer Day, November 5, 2008 11:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
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.

In June, the SEMA Performance Parts and Accessories Demand Index (PADI) fell by 4 points, or 7%, declining from 46 in May to 42 last month. Although economic concerns, high gas prices and the current credit crunch are causing consumers to scale back their purchase plans, 11% of adult American drivers (or approximately 11 million households) still indicated that they had plans to purchase specialty-equipment products sometime within the next three months.

Although planned spending is slowing down, consumers still want to personalize the cars and trucks they drive. The types of products consumers want also differs from past months.

Around 7% of consumers said that they were likely to purchase wheels, tires and suspension components during the summer months, a 1% drop from May. Six percent of consumers surveyed said they were likely to purchase either racing and performance products, or accessory and appearance products.

Each percentage is down from the same period last year. The decline in racing and performance, and accessory and appearance products is less dramatic than that for wheels, tires and suspension products. Looking closer at specific age groups, 18- to 24-year old consumers said that they were more likely to purchase specialty-equipment in the coming months, as noted in the chart below.

Over the last three months, on average, pickups (24%) were the most common target vehicles for enhancement or modification, followed by full-size cars (17%), compact cars (15%) and midsize cars (11%). New pickup sales are down 30% for the first half of 2008 compared to last year, but the total number of pickup trucks already on the roads is still among the highest category of vehicles registered. R.L. Polk registration data shows that 12 percent of all vehicles on the road today are full-size pickups.

The Internet (22%) was the most popular purchase destination among those planning to enhance their vehicles over the last three months, followed by car dealerships (17%), independent parts stores (16%) and chain auto parts stores (11%). When specialty-equipment buyers were asked what form their vehicle would take after customization, the most common answer this month was “general personalization” or restyling (57%) followed by “restoration” (13%), “street performance” (9%), “off-road” (7%), “compact performance” (4%) and “hot rod” (3%).

Every month, SEMA commissions TehnoMetrica Market Intelligence to survey a random sample of consumers in order to provide the above data, and this month’s report is based on 896 nationwide interviews with adult American drivers. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.3%.

Forecasting how specialty-equipment sales will fare in the coming months gives the industry an upper hand in planning their own inventories and strategies.

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

A new J.D. Power and Associates study shows that nearly three in four consumers have a strong interest in hybrid-electric powertrains, like that of the Toyota Prius, for their next auto purchase.

Consumers are warming to hybrid-electric powertrain technology, both before and after learning the average market price ($5,000), according to a recent J.D. Power and Associates study. The 2008 U.S. Automotive Emerging Technologies Study found that before market price is revealed, 72% of consumers say they are "definitely/probably" interested in having hybrid-electric technology in their next vehicle, in marked contrast to a 2005 study in which 58% indicated the same interest.

Even after the average price point is revealed, consumer interest remains high at 46%, according to the market research firm.

Mike Marshall, director of automotive emerging technologies at J.D. Power and Associates, attributes the rise to both increased fuel prices and a consumer desire to be more environmentally conscious. Marshall says that by comparison, interest in clean diesel technology is relatively low, perhaps a result of consumers unable to differentiate between clean diesel and the negative connotations of traditional diesel.

Other technologies on consumer's radars: Backup assist (68% after average market price is revealed); active cornering headlight systems (65%) and wireless connectivity systems (53%).

Research from SEMA's Automotive Lifestyles survey, taken from a sample of enthusiasts who subscribe to automotive magazines and visit automotive websites, reveals that 10% had purchased a Bluetooth wireless accessory in 2007, with 8% indicating that they planned to do so. Enthusiasts are also more educated about and have more experience with diesel; 9% already own a diesel, the bulk of them (92%) pickups, with SUVs (3%) and passenger cars (2%) following.

Sales of the compact Focus in May, up 53.2 percent, helped Ford gain ground in the shifting U.S. vehicle market.

America is now officially a car market, writes Sarah A. Webster in the Detroit Free Press. Even though industrywide sales of new vehicles was down 10.7 percent in May, passenger car sales were up 2.4 percent. Sales of pickups, SUVs, minivans and crossovers meanwhile tanked 23.6 percent, according to May sales figures released by automakers.

Truck-dependent Detroit automakers took the worst hit, with truck sales down 36.9 percent at General Motors, 25.6 percent at Ford and 24.3% at Chrysler. The bulk of U.S. new car sales in May—60 percent—were passenger cars, with the smallest, most affordable ones performing best, according to the Freep. Crucially, the Ford F-series pickup line, the best-selling model in America for 26 years, was beat by the Honda Civic, which posted a record month with more than 53,000 sales.

Ford did however make headway in the passenger car segment, posting a 3.8 percent gain while its rivals posted losses. GM car sales were down 13.7 percent, while Chrysler posted a 28.1 percent decline. The U.S.-built compact Focus, with sales up 53.2 percent, helped carry Ford's month. Ford's Group Vice-President of Marketing and Communications Jim Farley told the Freep that retail sales of the Focus even outpaced those of the F-Series, making the Focus the eighth best-selling car in America.

Still, Webster writes that the biggest winner in May was Honda, with sales up 53 percent for its Fit subcompact, 31.7 percent for the Civic, and 38.9 percent for its mid-size Accord. The company's Honda and Acura brands combined for a 31.9 percent gain. Toyota, by contrast, posted only a 0.4 percent increase, while Honda's other Japanese rival, Nissan, posted a 18.7 percent gain.

For additional insight into OEM sales patterns and how they impact the specialty-equipment industry, please visit www.sema.org/research.

Big motors in big Chevys aren't new to lowrider and traditional urban-lifestyle enthusiasts, but performance is more of a priority with the new crop of urban lifestyle enthusiasts.

The urban-lifestyle market has recently displayed their desire for a performance-geared vehicle, with performance-modifying products appearing on the 2007 list of top 10 specialty-equipment purchases made by urban-lifestyle enthusiasts, a list which previously consisted predominately of appearance-focused products.

Appearance-products are still the mainstay of the urban-lifestyle market, with 51% of purchases consisting of polish/wax, and 50% of window tinting. However, performance air filter replacement appeared on the list for the first time, and made the top three cut with a 49% share. Tires tied for third place.  Air intake – cold air intake conversion, which was also absent from the 2006 list, followed closely (47%), along with alarm system, and exhaust kit – pipes/muffler/etc. Rounding out the list were wheels (45%), stereo speaker/amplifiers (43%), and exterior lighting (42%).

"These enthusiasts are all about owning, maintaining and showing off their uniquely personalized vehicle. To them, a custom car or truck is an expression of their own lifestyle,” said SEMA Market Research Analyst Ty Michael. “Compared to others surveyed, urban enthusiasts were more motivated to customize their vehicles to merely differentiate it from other similar cars and trucks on the road. However, as these consumers are learning more about the benefits of some performance add-ons, the urban market is starting to expand beyond the purely aesthetic modifications.”

Enthusiasts are continuing to learn about the advantages of engine modifications, such as performance exhausts and air filters, which restore some of the horsepower often robbed by the extra-large custom wheels typically fitted on enthusiasts' vehicles.

"We make several systems for the [urban-lifestyle] market, and all appear to be doing very well in spite of high gas prices," said Larry Noris, vice president of sales for Magnaflow, a manufacturer of performance exhausts. "I do not see this market slipping, but growing from all the indications we have."

In fact, increasing gas prices could be contributing to the reasons enthusiasts are exploring the benefits of performance-enhancing products, specifically parts that help improve fuel economy. During the months the list was compiled, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was 18% higher in 2007 compared to the same time in 2006, according to U.S. Department of Energy data.

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

SEMA manufacturer members: Get a first look at the new Hyundai Genesis, a rear-wheel-drive coupe powered by a 300-hp V6 during a measuring session at Hyundai's North American headquarters. Featuring both manual and automatic six-speed transmissions and 19-inch alloy wheels, the Genesis coupe is the Korean automaker's most emphatic performance statement yet.

Where:
Hyundai Motor America—Service Center
10550 Talbert Ave.
Fountain Valley, CA 92728  

When:
July 23, 2008

• 8:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m.
• 1:30 p.m.—4:30 p.m.
  

Details:
Must pre-register to attend! Sessions are limited to 60 minutes and no more than three companies at a time (two persons per company).

Register:
Deadline is Friday, July 18. E-mail response with name(s), company name, address, phone number, with reference to Hyundai, to: measuringsession@sema.org.

Questions? Call Bill Wolf (909/396-0289, ext. 177) or Sandy Conolly (909/396-0289, ext. 155).

Gas prices may be at record highs, but that hasn't dampened enthusiast interest in the Dodge Challenger, one of the most anticipated new model debuts of the last several years. SEMA Manufacturer members can get hands-on with the new 2009 Challenger, the 2009 Dodge Ram and 2009 Dodge Journey during a measuring session near Chrysler headquarters.

Where:
QEK (former MSX International)
4400 Purks Rd.
Auburn Hills, MI 48326  

When:
July 23–24, 2008

• 7:30 a.m.—12:00 p.m.
• 12:00 p.m.—4:30 p.m.

Details:
Tech presentations will be offered at 8:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sessions are limited to 10–15 companies. Cameras ARE permitted.

Register:
Deadline is Friday, July 18. E-mail response with name(s), company name, address, phone number and e-mail address, including morning or afternoon preference, to measuringsession@sema.org.

Questions? Call Bill Wolf (909/396-0289, ext. 177) or Sandy Conolly (909/396-0289, ext. 155).

For more about SEMA's OEM Relations programs, please visit www.sema.org/oem.

It’s all about finding ways to sell more, especially in a tough economic climate. Presenter Mike Madden will discuss a process that works in sales, marketing and product development, and you'll learn how to develop an inventory of your assets and competitive strengths within your aftermarket business; develop a picture of marketing opportunities and needs; and create a plan to take advantage of these and related trends with your product.

Madden will also explore:

• What assets do you have that you would like to capitalize on?
• How to stay competitive in today’s market
• Developing a picture of the trends that impact your product's sales
  
• How to change your product and marketing strategies for today’s market trends
  

When: Thursday, July 17, 2008, 10:00 a.m. (PDT)

Presenter: Mike Madden, Manager of Industry Development, Automotive Consulting, CMTC

And don't forget to mark your calendar for our August 14 webinar, "Inventory Management: Mark It Down, Move It Out & Make More Money," presented by Tom Shay of Profits+Plus. Shay will review strategies to make more money on your inventory; increase the turn rate for the sale of your merchandise; determine how much inventory you need in your business every year; and identify how much cash you need to purchase new inventory.