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 2 through July 8, the SEMA Store is offering 50% off on all Official 2007 SEMA Show T-Shirts, plus free shipping on orders of $50.00 or more. The shirts are premium-quality, short-sleeve, all-cotton T-shirts. This is the 2007 commemorative Show shirt. Quantities are limited.
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
>> 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
>> SEMA Internet Symposium, July 25, Irvine, California
>> SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, Friday, July 25, Irvine, California
>> SEMA Show 2008, November 4–7, 2008, 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.
Filler for eNews
The 2009 Dodge Ram pickup, expected at dealerships this fall, will get a 4% bump in fuel economy along with a 13% rise in horsepower, according to the Automotive News. The automaker announced the improvements to reporters at a preview of Chrysler’s 2009 lineup near Detroit.
Dodge engineers have rebuilt the Hemi engine, adding variable valve timing, bumping up compression, improving air and fuel flow efficiency, and tweaking the cylinder shutoff system to operate in a wider rpm range. Dodge designers have also improved the Ram’s aerodynamics as an additional fuel-saving measure.
The horsepower increase puts the Ram at 390, which Chrysler claims is best in class. Chrysler officials didn’t release mpg estimates. The 2008 Ram pickup, outfitted with 5.7L engine and automatic transmission, gets 13 mpg city/19 highway, according to EPA estimates.
Dodge also announced that a light-duty, Cummins diesel-powered pickup is scheduled to launch after the 2009 model year, with an expected 25% gain in fuel economy over a conventional gas engine. Chrysler says the Cummins V6 is clean enough for 50-state certification. The automaker also confirmed plans to launch a gas/electric hybrid Ram outfitted with a 5.7L Hemi V8 with cylinder cutoff. The Two Mode system is the fruit of collaboration with General Motors, BMW and Daimler engineers.
Popular with enthusiasts, a new Ram is always a story in the specialty-equipment market. According to SEMA's Automotive Lifestyles survey (data pooled from a wide range of niche enthusiasts), 6% of survey respondents owned a Dodge Ram. Additionally, 13% of light-truck owners, 18% of pickup owners and 42% of diesel pickup owners surveyed owned a Ram.
Any increase in fuel economy is good news for truck enthusiasts who have turned to the specialty-equipment market to find efficiency gains. Exhaust, high-flow air filters and air intakes in particular have shown small increases in fuel economy, a development that has not gone unnoticed by enthusiasts. A recent SEMA survey, in which truck owners comprised 47% of the sample, reveals that the parts enthusiasts most plan to buy in the next three months are intake (11%; includes performance air filter replacements) and exhaust (10%) components.
"I had a client with a 2005 Dodge Ram Hemi—lifted, 35-inch tires, intake, exhaust—at the SEMA Spring Expo/OFFROAD Show who said he picked up 3 mpg after modifications," says Lawson Mollica, vice president of business development at KTC Media Group, a marketing agency that represents several specialty-equipment clients, including air intake manufacturer AEM.
After adding an intake to his own truck, Mollica picked up an average of 1.5 mpg over several tankfuls ("until I got bored with tracking it," he says).
"An intake is an efficiency adder," Mollica notes. "It's non-mechanically driven and if tuned properly, allows you to create more power with less effort. If all things remain constant—driving style, route, etc.—there's no reason why you shouldn't see mpg improvement."
For more specialty-equipment market research, please visit www.sema.org/research.
As rising gas prices squeeze its fullsize truck sales, Ford Motor Co. is thinking of keeping the popular Ranger around for a little longer, according to sources close to the company’s future product plans.
Bryce G. Hoffman writes in The Detroit News that Ford may tack on another two years to the Ranger's life, continuing its production until 2011, when a new global version of the truck manufactured outside of the United States is expected. Ford is currently scheduled to end Ranger production next year and close the Twin Cities Assembly Plant in St. Paul, Minnesota, where the compact pickup is built.
Debuting in 1982 as a 1983 model, the Ranger is the most fuel-efficient compact pickup on the market today, getting 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Ford sold 36,421 Rangers by June of this year, a 2.3% increase over the same period last year, in stark contrast to the 18.7% beating that its fullsize F-series trucks have taken.
One downside to the Ranger rethink, for enthusiasts anyway, is an indefinite delay for the rumored high-performance F-150 SVT Raptor. The Hemi-fighter 6.2L V8 “Boss” engine is likely to be another casualty.
A Ford spokesman could not confirm the plans for The Detroit News.
Last year, truck enthusiasts who own Rangers spent more than $2,100 on specialty-equipment parts for their trucks. The top components purchased included high-flow air filter replacements, performance tires, custom wheels, bed liners (spray-in and/or drop-in) and exhaust kits.
For more specialty-equipment market research, please visit www.sema.org/research.
Typically characterized for making appearance-focused purchases, the urban-lifestyle enthusiast is now expanding into the performance market as well, indicating that these days beauty alone doesn’t cut it.
Although their performance modifications have yet to include products like high-dollar turbo kits, urban consumers are embracing luxury by exploring the different avenues in which performance can affect their rides. The number of urban-lifestyle enthusiasts who say they modify their rides to increase performance jumped 35% over the past two years, according to SEMA research.
"The urban market continues to embrace an increasing number of performance-based modifications,” SEMA Market Research Analyst Zack Krelle states. “At the same time, however, consumers are balancing their decisions while keeping an eye on fuel prices. At a recent SEMA-hosted focus panel, enthusiasts made it clear that fuel prices impact their buying habits and they are warming up to the notion of paying more for parts that have either no effect or an increase in fuel efficiency while offering the same performance benefits."
The urban market is also redefining itself by adopting features of the sport-compact market, with some enthusiasts leaning towards the Japanese VIP style—an aggressive take on premium luxury sedans. The Americanized VIP market segment relies heavily on trends found in Japan, but has also incorporated a high-end European luxury following. SEMA research reveals that 57% of urban-lifestyle hobbyists have an interest in VIP cars.
Overall, the urban-lifestyle market remains loyal to its roots. Custom wheels and audio systems are the top customizations, but there is no doubt that performance products are gaining a presence. Even as 20-inch-plus-size wheels remain the defining modification trend, performance parts come into play as more urban enthusiasts continue to learn that engine modifications, such as performance exhausts and air filters, help restore horsepower often robbed by these super-size wheels.
“The urban market, which at one point was primarily concerned with aesthetic modifications, is now beginning to embrace performance as well,” said Brian Scotto, executive editor for the urban-lifestyle magazine RIDES. “Sure, rims are still the main focus, but now you see our audience putting on exhausts and other power mods.”
Scotto notes that the urban-lifestyle Donk sub-segment has embraced performance even further, similar to modifications seen within the musclecar market.
“We’re starting to see everything from simple engine tweaks to crate motors and forced induction surface in cars that would be classified as part of the urban scene,” Scotto remarked.
To read the full report on the urban-lifestyle market, click here.
For more original SEMA market research, visit www.sema.org/research.
SEMA is hosting a CEO-Leadership Roundtable event to discuss a new forecasting study being developed by the Center for Automotive Research. Part one of the study focuses on trends in automotive electronic systems, trends toward reduced accessory content at the OEM level, length and volume in vehicle runs and the aftermarket as an enabler for the “connected car.” Topics of Part Two and Part Three include advanced powertrain and consumer trends, respectively.
The SEMA CEO-Leadership Roundtable on Saturday, July 26, 2008, in Irvine, California, will focus on part one of the study. The discussion will be moderated by David Cole, Chairman of Center for Automotive Research, and will include a panel consisting of Paul Brubaker from the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation; George Dettloff from SKF USA Inc.; and Brian Smith from the Lexus Division of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
CEOs, company presidents and company leaders who are interested in taking part in the event can register by https://sema.org/ceo_roundtable/ceo_roundtable.aspx, before the July 11 deadline. Seating is limited so don’t delay.
The checkered flag for SEMA's inaugural Pinewood Drag Race Sponsored by Fellers and DUB Publishing drops in one month, and if you've been wanting to join the fun but find yourself short on time, consider sponsoring a team.
More than 80 children from Victory Junction Gang Camp and Childhelp, the two charities SEMA is supporting through the fundraising activities of the Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, will help build and race cars sponsored by generous patrons. For a modest fee, a child will build and enter his or her car in the Pinewood Drag Race, held in conjunction with the SEMA Installation Banquet and Gala Fundraiser, prior to the Hall of Fame recognition and fundraising activities.
CLICK HERE to get involved as a team sponsor!
More than 30 racers are tuning up their pinewood dragsters and filling out the brackets in the event's three classes: Stock, Modified and Unlimited. Some of your industry peers seeking bragging rights include:
STOCK
Cameron Evans, Red Line Synthetic Oil Corp.
Dennis Overholser, HRIA/Las Vegas Rod & Custom
Dennis Overholser, HRIA/Vintage Air Inc.
Alise Miner, SEMA Business Technology Committee
Sam Mandlin, EGGE Machine Company Inc.
Matt Agosta, Steele Rubber Products
Eric Hoffend, Freeman
Ronald DiVincenzo, Cap World
Tony Thacker, NHRA Museum
Bob Johnston, Auto Etc. Neon
Peter MacGillivray, SEMA
Alise Miner, SEMA, Alise and the Postettes
Donnie Eatherly, P&E Distributors Inc.
Tom Brooks, Truckin' Thunder
MODIFIED
Alex Tainsh, TrimParts Inc.
Franco Ganino, Alliant Insurance Services
David Toyota, New Zealand Australian Companies Inc.
Chris Kersting, SEMA
Robert Rice, Cotton Fever
Dan Peterson, Gotta Show Products
Dave Williams, Rampage Products
Joel Ayres, Truck Accessories Group
Bob Price, Prairie Wolf Partners
Joey Granatelli, Granatelli Motor Sports
Brian Breslin, Bowdoin Marketing
John McLeod, Classic Instruments Inc.
UNLIMITED
Eric Hoffend, Freeman
Andy Wadhera, CalTrend Automotive Products
Scott O'Toole, Motor State Distributing
Jerry McNair, CMTC
Jim Cozzie, Zoom Performance Products
Mitch Williams, Pilot Automotive
Mike Spagnola, Street Scene Equipment
Those interested in building a Pinewood Drag Race car with the children from Childhelp can join SEMA for a special trip to The Village of Childhelp West in Beaumont, California, where participants can help the kids sand, paint and assemble cars that will run in the Pinewood Drag Race. Contact Race Director Mike Spagnola at mike@streetsceneeq.com for details.
For further information about the race and its rules, click here.
Emcee Dave McClelland hosts proceedings at the 2007 SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser.
The annual SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser on Friday, July 25, serves to not only thank the association's outgoing Board members and welcome those newly elected, but also to announce the newest inductees into the SEMA Hall of Fame. This year's inductees are Raymond Bleiweis, Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Corky Coker and Bob Cook—an elite group of industry innovators and pioneers who have played a key role in the automotive specialty-equipment market.
CLICK HERE to reserve your place for this special evening of charity and recognition.
This year's event is further underscored by a program of charitable fundraising activities that includes the Pinewood Drag Race, sponsored by Fellers and DUB Publishing, and a silent auction.
Proceeds from all fundraising benefits SEMA's two chosen charities, Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. Childhelp aids victims of child abuse and originally began receiving support from wheel manufacturers in 1994. It now garners significant contributions from a wide range of industry businesses.
Victory Junction Gang Camp, founded in 2004 by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of their son Adam, has received support from the Light-Truck Accessory Alliance and others in the industry. Victory Junction uses camping experiences in its racing-themed facilities to enrich the lives of children who suffer from chronic medical conditions or illnesses.
Tickets
Tickets and details for the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, including a schedule of activities and auction donation forms, are available at www.sema.org/gala or by contacting Lisa Moreno at lisam@sema.org or 909/396-0289, ext. 105.
Charity Auction
Finally, SEMA will host a live and silent auction during the banquet, with auction items ranging from sports memorabilia to a 2006 Victory motorcycle owned and donated by Kyle Petty. To donate an item, contact Tricia Ward at triciaw@sema.org. Some of the items include:
Kyle Petty's 2006 Victory Jackpot motorcycle. Donated by Kyle Petty Charity Ride.
Brett Favre-autographed Wilson football. Donated by Rick Rollins.
Peyton Manning-autographed Wilson football. Donated by Motorola.
Lawrence Taylor-autographed Wilson football. Donated by Motorola.
Trick Your Truck Package, including accessories from Mickey Thompson, Superlift Suspension Systems, Rampage Products, Bushwacker and more
Greer Black Dragster replica, 1:6 scale and over 28 inches long. Donated by GMP Die Cast.
2x8 advertising space for one year on the guardwall of Virginia Motorsports Park's dragstrip, home of the Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals. Donated by Virginia Motorsports Park.
HPI Racing Wheely King 4x4 R/C monster truck, featuring 4WD drivetrain, long-travel suspension and a high-torque 540 motor (click here for more details). Also offered in the auction are the E10 R/C drift car and Subaru Impreza precision diecast. Donated by HPI Racing.
12-band Maximum Performance digital radar/laser detector with full-color Extreme Bright DataGraphix display. Donated by Cobra Electronics.
A signed copy of How to Wire Your Hot Rod by author Dennis Overholser. Donated by Dennis Overholser of Painless Performance.
Motorola T305 portable Bluetooth hands-free kit. Donated by Motorola.
Accura 1 Digital Tire Inflation Gauge. Donated by PCL Air Technology.
2006 Budweiser/Lucas Oil TF Team crew uniform shirt signed by Kenny and Brandon Bernstein. Donated by Kenny Bernstein Racing.
Pair of Maui Jim sunglasses. Donated by Joel Ayres.
Wireless remote-controlled searchlight. Donated by Golight Inc.
'55 Chevy neon clock. Donated by Southern Speed & Custom.
"The Morning Rush Hour" framed print. Donated by 1-800-EveryRim.com.
Original pencil drawing of a post-war-styled hot rod going flat out on dry lake bed. Used as cover art of SEMA News magazine, May 2008. Donated by artist Colby Martin.
The Ultimate "My Classic Car" Gift Pack: Premium "My Classic Car" goods, including a set of (6) Matchbox cars, DVD sets of 2006 and 2007 episodes, Legendary Fords DVD, autographed photo of Dennis Gage and more. Donated by Bradley David Productions.
(4) Saturday Top Eliminator Club tickets (TEC) and (1) TEC parking pass for either the 2008 Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals or the 2009 Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals, VIP tour and a ride in the Full Throttle Express. Donated by NHRA.
(4) tickets to Los Angeles Dodgers game (vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, August 2, 7 p.m.) at Dodger Stadium. Preferred parking included. Donated by Joe Sebergandio/Motor Media Inc.
(2) tickets to "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." Donated by SEMA Cares.
(2) complimentary dinners at Benihana at the Las Vegas Hilton. Donated by the Las Vegas Hilton.
(2) complimentary dinners at Casa Nicola Restaurant. Donated by Las Vegas Hilton.
(2) nights for two at Cibolo Creek Ranch, Big Bend, Texas. Meals included. Donated by Leer Truck Accessories Group/Cibolo Creek Ranch.
Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas—3-day/2-night package. Donated by Planet Hollywood.
Other items include:
A reserved spot on the 2009 Kyle Petty Ride Across America motorcycle ride (includes [9] nights hotel accommodations, fuel for [1] motorcycle at all pit stops—motorcycle not included—all scheduled meals, and a commemorative designer leather jacket). Donated by Kyle Petty Charity Ride.
Voiceover services for 5- to 7-minute video production for use as point-of-purchase display, product explanation and demonstration, booth exhibit at trade show, product installation, etc. (winning bidder provides copy). Donated by Dave McClelland.
Voiceover services for a telephone answering device, with opening greeting and any other necessary announcements regarding hours of operation, forwarding to extensions, etc. (winning bidder provides copy). Donated by Dave McClelland.
Private viewing of the Smith Collection, the world’s largest collection of vintage to exotic racing engines, cars, speed equipment, pedal cars and more, at the Museum of American Speed in Lincoln, Nebraska. Tour guided by Bill “Speedy” Smith for (2) groups of four guests (same-day tour required). Includes lunch. Donated by Bill and Joyce Smith.
Two (2) front stretch tower grandstand tickets to the 2009 Shootout Under the Lights at Daytona International Speedway (February 14, 2009). Includes (2) admissions into the Sprint Fanzone located in the infield. Donated by Daytona International Speedway.
Gift basket including (2) shirts, $500 gift certificate, Mother’s bucket of detailing items and a custom-painted bowling pin. Donated by L&G Enterprises.
Horizon 4 Mammoth Lakes condominium rental. One-bedroom condo for 7 nights; sleeps four and includes a spa, pool and tennis court. Located near shops, restaurants and across the street from bus stop for Mammoth Mountain. Donated by the Marx Group.