The European Commission is expected to propose later this week new rules affecting new-car advertising in the 27 nations that make up the European Union. The executive branch of the European Union is likely to require a minimum of 20% of the space of new-vehicle advertising be devoted to information on fuel economy and C02 emissions. The regulations would cover any magazine, television and billboard advertising or point-of-sale displays in showrooms.

The new requirements, mirrored after measures imposed on cigarette producers, is being pushed by the Commission and a number of members of the Parliament citing a “dissatisfaction” with car assemblers compliance with more general guidelines, in place since 1999, which call on them to include information [regarding fuel economy and C02 emissions] that is "easily legible and no less pronounced than the main part of the advertising message" and "easily understood, even when read briefly."

The German media has come out against the proposal and German car manufacturers are expected to oppose it as well. French and Italian car manufacturers, which generally make cars that are smaller, lighter and use less gas than the German-made cars, have not yet stated an opinion.

For information on the SEMA International Relations Program, click here or e-mail Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

The European Commission is expected to shortly propose tire noise standards which are rumored to include a cut in tire noise of five or six decibels. The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association and the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers' Association (ETRMA) have both come out against the proposal. The Commission is also expected to come out momentarily, in the same document, with limits on “rolling resistance” of tires setting maximum levels of friction levels between the tire and the road surface as additional measures to cut carbon emissions.

The ETRMA is on record stating that a reduction of more than two to three decibels is not technically feasible. The association has also said that the Commission has not supplied impact assessments to justify the costs. Following the release of the proposal, it will be considered by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers.

For information on the SEMA International Relations Program, click here or e-mail Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

SEMA Show exhibitors and attendees! Start developing your Show game plan now. The floor plan for the 2008 SEMA Show is now available to view online. With 1,700 exhibitors already committed, space is running out, but there is still time to reserve your real estate. Exhibitors who contact ConvExx by Monday, May 19, are still eligible for space selection in their respective year of seniority.

To view the floor plan online, click here.

Exhibitors will also be happy to know that Freeman, official general service contractor of the SEMA Show, is keeping fees for material handling the same as 2007 Show rates. Additionally, there are no material handling charges for exhibitors that have a maximum of 1,000 lbs. of freight—an increase of 500 lbs. from the 2007 Show.

Other improvements to the Show include a redesign of the Truck and Tire & Wheel sections, making it easier for buyers to work the Show and find all exhibitors.

To purchase booth space online, click here.

Questions? Contact the SEMA Show department at 702/450-7662.

For more about the SEMA Show, please visit www.SEMAShow.com.

 
Emcee Dave McClelland hosts proceedings at the 2007 SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser.

The annual SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser 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 Robert Cook—an elite group of industry innovators and pioneers who have played a key role in the automotive specialty-equipment market.

This year's event is further underscored by a program of charitable fundraising activities that includes a golf tournament, the Pinewood Drag Race 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 and 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.

The golf tournament begins at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, July 25, at the Strawberry Farms Golf Club in Irvine, California. SEMA council members are among those refining their game to challenge for the Council Cup Perpetual Trophy, a friendly competition among councils to prove who has the better hackers.

A special "Council Package" price of $2,000 (a $300 discount) is available for Council Cup competitors. The package includes four rounds of golf at the tournament and dinner for four at the annual gala banquet and charity auction, to be held that evening at the Irvine Hyatt Hotel. At least one active council member must participate in the golf tournament foursome to be eligible for this special pricing offer.

Any foursome consisting of two or more active council members will automatically be entered in the Council Cup Challenge representing their council (be sure to indicate on your registration form which council you are representing). The package includes four rounds of golf at the tournament and dinner for four at the Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, to be held that evening at the Irvine Hyatt Hotel.

To register for the golf tournament, click here for the registration form.

The Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser will also feature the inaugural SEMA Pinewood Drag Race Sponsored by Fellers and DUB Publishing. The checkered flag will drop prior to the SEMA Hall of Fame recognition and fundraising activities. According to Race Director Mike Spagnola, the inaugural event will feature three race classes: Stock, Modified and Unlimited.

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 Mike Spagnola at mike@streetsceneeq.com for details.

For further information about the race and its rules, click here.

Finally, SEMA will host a live and silent auction prior to the Banquet, with auction items ranging from sports memorabilia (Brett Favre has autographed a football for the occasion) to a 2006 Victory motorcycle owned and donated by Kyle Petty. Stay tuned to SEMA eNews for a full listing of items in future issues. 

Tickets and details for the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, including schedule of activities, golf tournament entries 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.

Donations to the Silent Auction include:

Brett Favre-autographed Wilson football, donated by Rick Rollins



Greer-Black Dragster 1:6 detailed replica

Proposals for the Lexus Project Vehicle Program are due by next Thursday, May 22.

• Company background
• Detailed description of objective of project vehicle—market segment appeal
• List of upgrades and partnered sources
• Proposed list of intended trade shows and events, advertising, website, catalogs where the vehicle will be promoted
• Your thoughts on where your project vehicle might achieve print or online coverage
• Examples of past project vehicles, including newspaper and magazine coverage
• Date vehicle will be required
• Color rendering illustrating front, side and interior color/graphic scheme
  

Platinum Equity, a Beverly Hills, California-based private equity group, announced the integration of American Racing and Wheel Pros, two distributors of high-performance wheels and tires to the automotive aftermarket.

According to a company statement released May 9, the combined company will offer a comprehensive portfolio of wheel products, including the full lineup of existing American Racing and Wheel Pros products.

“This is an incredibly powerful combination that unites two of the best names in the business,” said Rob Joubran, partner at Platinum Equity. “The pedigree of these two companies is unparalleled. Bringing them together under one roof will provide customers one-stop access to the best brands in the industry.”

Randy White, a former American Racing executive who co-founded Wheel Pros in 1994, has been named chief executive officer of the new company. Jody Groce, also a co-founder of Wheel Pros, has been named president.

“This merger brings together two leading companies that deliver world-class products and services,” White said. “Together, we have more than two dozen brands and programs serving 25,000 customers in over 30 countries on six continents.”

“Our customers will now have access to a single provider with an exceptional inventory of in-demand wheel products, a larger and more capable distribution network, and a diversity of product choices that represent the best-known wheel brands in the industry,” he said.

The integrated distribution company will operate under the Wheel Pros name in the United States, and as American Racing overseas. It will continue to distribute product brands currently offered by the two companies.

Platinum Equity acquired American Racing, the largest manufacturer and distributor of high-performance aftermarket automotive wheels in North America in July 2005. The firm acquired Wheel Pros, a leading competitor in the space, in March 2008.

Source: Platinum Equity press release via www.platinumequity.com/site/action/news.

The SEMA family of 7,065 member companies sends its well wishes to “Speedy” Bill Smith, currently recovering from triple-bypass heart surgery in Lincoln, Nebraska.

In a letter to his employees at Speedway Motors, Smith said that when he was admitted to the emergency room on April 8, “I knew I was in the right place when my doctor arrived wearing Simpson racing shoes and had on a Bell Helmet T-shirt under his medical coat.”

Smith requests that no flowers or cards be sent.

Filler for eNews

The SEMA webinar on May 22, "10 Simple Things You Can Do to Your Website Today to Improve Your Results Tomorrow," will cover some of the most effective ways to snare more customers on the web.

For website newcomers and veterans alike, this fast-paced informative workshop gives you detailed information on FREE and low-cost actions you can take to improve the results from your website and online marketing. Packed full of examples and case studies, participants will leave this workshop with a put-to-work-now action plan to skyrocket online marketing profits.

When: Thursday, May 22, 10:00 a.m. (PST)
Presenter: Brian Offenberger, BizGrowth Search Engine Solutions

For more information about this webinar, click here.

During last week's SEMA webinar, "Beginner's Guide to High Search Engine Rankings," presenter Brian Offenberger of BizGrowth Search Engine Solutions covered advanced marketing techniques that help drive customers to your website. 

Offenberger says that an effective way to drive traffic to your website is to create inbound links (your link on another website that drives potential customers to your website). To identify websites that may be potential candidates to host a link to your site, he suggests using Yahoo! or Google Alerts, which are available for free.

“Google and Yahoo will track activity, not only on the keywords you provide, but for any word that you tell them, and will search the Internet and alert you immediately when your keywords appear on the web,” said Offenberger. "You will find out who is writing and commenting about your company online; these are great candidates for permanent links.”

Offenberger suggests that your keywords include your company name, as well as brand names and significant keywords related to your business type. 

Check out the other tips offered by Offenberger by downloading the audio presentation available by clicking here. Just click on the link on the right-hand side of the page under the Last Webinar heading.