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

>> SEMA Washington Rally, May 14–15, 2008, Washington, D.C.
>> PAACE Automechanika Mexico, July, 9–11, 2008, Mexico City
>> 2008 Aftermarket eForum, July 14–16, 2008, Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Chicago
>> 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  

SEMA market data shows that the average car owned by enthusiasts, based on those who responded to SEMA's Automotive Lifestyles survey, was just over 20 years old. Although the highest percentage of enthusiasts surveyed are modifying vehicles made between 2000–2005, many of these same enthusiasts also own much older cars, creating an opportunity for specialty-equipment companies.

As enthusiasts and consumers keep their vehicles longer, they need more parts to keep them running. Keeping the body panels free of defects and repainting a fading and failing factory paint job has always been a good way to make an older car look good.

PPG, one of the largest companies in the automotive paint industry, is reporting record sales of $3.7 billion for the first quarter of 2008. Genuine Parts Company meanwhile is reporting a 3% increase in sales over last year's first quarter.

From seeing these companies picking up on sales, speculation shows that people are becoming more inclined to repair their vehicles over buying new ones. This could be a huge opportunity for the specialty-equipment industry. Marketing parts as longer-lasting, increasing fuel economy, improving performance or any of the other myriad of wants that mass consumers desire for their vehicles could help the specialty-equipment industry dive into a niche of "performance replacement" parts that outperform stock replacement.

This could steal market share from another industry and be really beneficial to ours.

For more industry insight, visit the SEMA Research and Information Center online at www.sema.org/research.

Discretionary income and a tightening economy is hitting close to home for many specialty-equipment companies. SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting addressed the issue at the SEMA National Education Conference, April 10–11, in Nashville.

"With the economic downturn, our industry, like many other industries, is having a tough year,” Kersting said. “I am in a unique position to hear from a lot of different niches within the industry and I am pleased to say that we have some niches that are doing quite well. And even within some of the spaces where there are challenges right now, you have companies that are figuring a way to make sure that when we come out of this downturn, they will be well-positioned."

Despite the economic uncertainty, SEMA research shows that the overwhelming majority of enthusiasts have household incomes well above the national average. The latest SEMA Automotive Lifestyles study shows that the average income of enthusiasts that modified their car had a household income in excess of $96,000—more than 2.5 times the national per capita income.

Technometrica's March Economic Optimism Index showed some negative feeling about the future of the economy, although among the demographic group of most concern to the specialty-equipment industry there are optimistic opinions.

The Economic Optimism Index is a rating of Optimism/Pessimism on a scale of 1–100. Ratings below 50 are pessimistic and ratings above 50 are optimistic. The latest index showed that those with annual household incomes in excess of $75,000 were optimistic with a rating of 51.0. Men were also optimistic with a rating of 50.1. The SEMA Annual Automotive Lifestyles Survey reveals an overwhelming majority of respondents that are male and have a household income averaging $96,000.
 
Younger consumers appear more optimistic about their economic future, as well. The Economic Optimism index showed that consumers between the ages of 18–24 had an optimistic rating of 59.9, the highest of any group polled by Technometrica's TIPP Economic Index. During economic slowdown, the youth market may represent an opportunity for specialty-equipment markets to tap into for future sales growth.

For more industry insight, visit the SEMA Research and Information Center online at www.sema.org/research.

A version of SEMA model legislation to create a vehicle registration and titling classification for custom vehicles was approved by the Tennessee State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Phil Bredesen. The new law defines a custom-built car as a vehicle that is built for private use and is not constructed by a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer. Under the law, kit cars and replica vehicles will be assigned a certificate of title bearing the same model year designation as the production vehicle it most closely resembles. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Working with California old-car hobbyists, SEMA convinced California Senate legislators to amend legislation that sought repeal of the state’s current emissions test exemption for pre-1976 vehicles registered by new owners in the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District. The District includes eight counties in California’s Central Valley. 

Under the original bill, after Jan. 1, 2009, new owners seeking to register a pre-1976 vehicle in these eight counties would have been subject to emissions tests for the life of the vehicle. Under the amendment, the repeal language was removed and the bill instead now requires the DMV to study the state’s special license plate programs and recommend improvements.

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

With all of the political issues in Washington, D.C., it is vital that SEMA members demonstrate to lawmakers the importance of the $38-billion specialty-equipment industry. You can join in this effort by attending the SEMA Washington Rally on May 14–15 and connect face-to-face with your legislators on Capitol Hill. The deadline to register is next week, Thursday, May 1.

Scheduled events include:

• Opening Reception and Briefing Session. U.S. Senator Jon Tester of Montana, an avid auto enthusiast, will be the featured guest at the opening reception of the 2008 SEMA Washington Rally.

• One-on-One Meetings With Your Legislators. Meet face-to-face with your legislators to educate them on the issues that matter most to your business.

• Political Insider Session. Renowned Washington commentators Fred Barnes and Eleanor Clift will be the headliners for a lively debate on timely political issues, including the 2008 presidential election.

• Capitol Hill Reception. Businessman, philanthropist and respected NASCAR driver Kyle Petty will be the featured guest at a Congressional reception in Washington, D.C., celebrating the Victory Junction Gang Camp and the American motorsports industry.

• Tour of the U.S. Capitol and other opportunities to visit attractions in the nation’s capital.

The SEMA Washington Rally is exclusively for SEMA members and there is no charge to participate. For travel arrangements and room reservations, contact Manya Petropaki at the Travel Store at 949/930-9268.

To register, or for more information, visit www.sema.org/dcrally or contact Jason Tolleson at 909/396-0289, ext 168, or jasont@sema.org.

Industry hackers are tuning up their swings for the annual SEMA Charity Golf Tournament, to be held Friday, July 25 at the Strawberry Farms Golf Course, Irvine, California. Part of the fundraising activities held in conjunction with the 2008 SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, the charity golf tournament directly benefits SEMA’s two chosen charities, Child Help and Victory Junction Gang Camp.

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 Annual Inaugural Banquet and Charity Auction, to be held that evening at the Irvine Hyatt Hotel.

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

For more information on the banquet and activities, click here.

Donations for the Gala Fundraiser Silent Auction are streaming in and thus far include tickets to next season's Shootout Under the Lights at Daytona International Speedway, a private tour of the Smith Collection at the Museum of American Speed, and a chance to ride, expenses paid, on the Kyle Petty "Ride Across America" charity motorcycle ride.

If you would like to donate to this special event, please click here.

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Participate in SEMA's May 1st webinar to learn the key ingredients your website needs to generate traffic online. Participants will learn the basics of structuring a website to achieve high search rankings and allow prospects to easily find it.