The SEMA Action Network (SAN) announced that it has broadened its legislative advocacy activities to include the Parliament of Canada and the provincial governments. Canadian automotive hobbyists, car clubs and related businesses can now join this influential grassroots lobbying effort by registering online at www.semasan.com.

"Cooperative efforts of the automotive hobbyists and the aftermarket industry who participate in the SEMA Action Network have resulted in numerous legislative successes across the United States," said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. "The SAN's pursuit of proactive, pro-hobby legislation has led to the overhaul of existing statutes and created brand new programs to safeguard and expand the specialty-equipment aftermarket.”

“Determined efforts by the SAN have also resulted in the defeat of several poorly formulated measures,” McDonald continued. “Canadian enthusiast groups face identical challenges. We are confident that by working with our Canadian-based members and hobbyist groups, we can add the industry's voice to the debate and help legislators identify reasonable and responsible solutions to the array of issues affecting the automotive hobby."    

The SAN is a nationwide partnership between vehicle clubs, enthusiasts and members of the specialty auto parts industry who want to protect their hobby. SAN was designed to help stamp out unfair legislative threats to the automotive hobby and pass favorable laws.

In the United States, the SAN regularly rallies the support of 3,500-plus car clubs, thousands of individual contacts, and 100-plus consumer automotive publications, with an estimated reach of 36 million enthusiasts nationwide; sends out action alerts to generate an abundance of responses to state and/or federal legislative actions and regulatory proposals; and issues timely updates of legislative and regulatory developments.

"There are no costs, fees or hassles to participate in the SAN," said SEMA Action Network Director Jason Tolleson. "The concept is simple: SEMA provides detailed, regularly updated information on legislative and regulatory issues that impact the hobby. The more hands that touch this information, the more eyes that read this information and the more people that stand up and do something, the more effectively we protect our hobby. When action is required, we will urge SAN members to contact legislators and regulators to express support or opposition to a particular bill or proposal that directly affects the automotive hobby."

For more information, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

As part of its first official participation with the SEMA Show, Lexus will debut an all-new performance accessory line at a noon press conference, Tuesday, October 30, during the 2007 Show.

"The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world, and Lexus is thrilled to participate this year,” says Brian Bolain, national Lexus interactive and automotive events manager. "SEMA is the perfect venue for the launch of our new performance line, to display our performance-oriented project vehicles and showcase our all-new Lexus IS F high-performance sport sedan.”

The press conference will be in the Lexus exhibit tent located outside, adjacent to the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The exhibit tent sits next to the Motor Trend Proving Ground powered by Lexus, where the 400-plus horsepower performance-tuned Lexus IS F will be available for test drives. Drives will be offered in 15-minute intervals Tuesday through Thursday on the proving ground track. Scott Pruett, Lexus' 2007 Grand Am Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona champion, will be on hand to lend some advice to those ready to take their turn behind the wheel of the 5L, V8-powered IS F.

For a chance to drive the IS F on the Motor Trend Proving Ground, SEMA Show registered members can simply go to www.lexus.com/isfdrive and sign up for a lap around the circuit.

For those wanting an off-track experience with the IS F, Lexus will provide two virtual driving options. Located in the Lexus exhibit area will be an IS F mounted to a rear-wheel dynamometer, which will allow attendees to experience the high-performance feel, sound and power that the IS F has to offer. SEMA members can sit behind the wheel of the IS F and, using a pair of paddles located within a fingertip's reach, perform ultra-fast upshifts. Gear changes come within a tenth of a second, and downshifts are accompanied by incredibly precise throttle blips to match engine RPM to vehicle speed.

In addition, three synced racing simulators featuring an IS F sports seat with vibration and sound and three flat screens, will allow gaming fans a chance to virtually drive the all-new Lexus and compete against each other on a choice of three tracks. A fourth flat screen showing all three cars in race mode will be available for observers. Attendees will be able to take home a CD version of the specially designed video game.

The tent will also feature a Lexus project car showcase, illustrating the high-end potential the car offers the specialty-equipment industry, including:

• IS F Super Car by 5 Axis Models       
• IS 350 concept car by TRD
• SC 430 by BRS Autodesign             
• GS 430 by Blitz
• GS 430 by GReddy                
• LS 460 by Fesler Productions    
• LS 460 by VIP Auto Salon            
• RX 400h by 714 Motorsports in partnership with MOMO USA 
• LS 460 by CEC Wheels            

All Lexus activities will be held at the exhibit tent or the Motor Trend Proving Ground powered by Lexus except where noted. Lexus' schedule of activities for the SEMA Show includes the following:

Tuesday, October 30, 2007
9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.: Exhibit space open
12:00 p.m.—1:00 p.m.: Press conference and lunch at Motor Trend Proving Ground
1:00 p.m.—5:00 p.m.: IS F course drives

Wednesday, October 31, 2007
9:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.: IS F course drives and exhibit space open

Thursday, November 1, 2007
9:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.: IS F course drives and exhibit space open

Friday, November 2, 2007
9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.: exhibit space open

Lexus will also join the CEC Wheels annual fashion show on Thursday, November 1, at the beautiful Bali Hai Golf Club. The LS 460 and IS F CEC project cars will join other modified luxury models in taking a turn on the catwalk. This annual event has proven to be one of the most coveted invitations during Show week.

Celebrating more than 20 years of contributions to the future of the automotive industry, SEMA has awarded a record $160,000 in scholarships this year. A total of 111 students preparing for automotive industry careers received individual awards of up to $4,000. The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in 1984, has supplied over 600 students with more than $1 million in scholarship awards over the past two decades.
 
"We are very proud of our scholarship awards," said Mike Spagnola, former SEMA Scholarship Committee chairman and president of Street Scene Equipment. "SEMA memorial scholarships help motivate the next generation of industry leaders to complete their educations and pursue rewarding career opportunities."

The program rewards the best and brightest students engaged in studies leading to a career in the automotive aftermarket or a related field. Sophomores in two-year universities or colleges, and students in vocational or technical schools, received $1,000. Graduates and undergraduates with at least a junior standing at a four-year school received $2,000–$4,000. All students must have a minimum 2.5 grade-point average and be enrolled in an accredited university, college or proprietary program.

Nine scholarships were awarded to relatives and employees of SEMA-member companies, including: Kaskinen Auto Sales; Olea Exhibits and Displays; Zoom Performance Products; Lund International; California Truck Works Inc.; Classic Automotive Restoration; Medicine Man Rod Shop; World Products; Hybrid Racing LLC.

For the third year, SEMA also presented the Loan Forgiveness Scholarship Award to qualified graduates with outstanding student loans who have worked at a SEMA-member company for at least one year. This program was developed as a further incentive for students to seek employment in the automotive aftermarket upon graduation. Eight employees of SEMA-member companies received $1,000 paid directly to their loan company to satisfy outstanding student loans. 
   
For a complete list of the scholarship winners, click here, or contact Arlene Wood at education@sema.org.

FILLER FOR MONORAIL ITEM

SEMA membership has reached a record high, with 7,094 companies from throughout the world signed up as members at the close of the 2007 fiscal year. The number represents a 4% increase from the previous year, with the majority of the new members coming from retailers, jobbers and installers.

“Over the last few years, we’ve made a conscious effort to develop a comprehensive benefits program for all membership categories, including jobbers, retailers, WDs and manufacturers," said Tom Myroniak, SEMA VP of marketing and membership. "We are also committed to evaluating the value that we bring to our members, and we're actively communicating with them to get their input and feedback on what's important to them."

Also noteworthy is the increase participation in SEMA councils. SEMA has eight councils that bring together members within specific niches or categories. The 2007 fiscal year closed with the council membership reaching 2,055.

To learn more about SEMA membership and the programs and services available to members, visit www.sema.org or contact member@sema.org.

Business owners, installers, restylers and wheel and tire specialists: gain a quality advantage in your market and register now for the upcoming SEMA Installer Certification exams. Registration has been extended until Friday, September 28, so don't miss the last chance to test, certify and market your skills as an industry-recognized professional.

The SEMA certification program includes five exams. All tests will be offered on Thursday, November 8, at more than 700 test centers in the United States and Canada. All testing begins at 7:00 p.m. local time. The five exams include: Z1/Electric Sunroofs; Z2/Truck Accessories & Body Exterior Components; Z3/Leather Interiors; Z4/Roof Treatments; Z5/Custom Wheel and Tire.

Complete information on the SEMA exams, including registration forms, is available online at www.sema.org/certification, or by e-mailing beverlyr@sema.org.

The SEMA Show is loaded with innovative resources, merchandising tools, marketing strategies and networking opportunities to help auto dealers create new profit centers with fast-selling accessories in every department: new car, used car, parts, service and F&I. Gain the knowledge and expertise you need to capture your share of the $36.7 billion accessory market at these dealer-exclusive special events.

Automotive News Dealer Forum: Creating New Profit Centers through Accessorization
Co-sponsored by NADA and SEMA
Wednesday, October 31
2:45 p.m.–5:00 p.m. (doors open at 2:15 p.m.)
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N258–260

The first in a series of SEMA vehicle technology seminars drew over 50 members of the specialty-equipment industry and several key SEMA staff who came to learn and discuss electronic stability control systems.

The Technology Briefing Seminar (TBS), held September 6, next door to SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California, featured representatives from Toyota, Bosch and Mechanical Simulation Corporation presenting the fundamentals, evolution and future of ESC systems. They also covered potential approaches for developing parts and accessories compatible with increasingly complex vehicle dynamics and active safety control systems.

Toyota also brought its latest high-performance Lexus IS F sport sedan to showcase its vision of future chassis stability and control technologies and a special-edition "Sport Version" of Toyota's Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM).

Attendees had the opportunity to ask the automaker, supplier and analyst experts questions and learn more about product interaction with ESC systems. They also requested that SEMA initiate collaborations to help obtain ESC information from OEMs, suppliers and other organizations and make this information available to member companies.

“Leaving the ESC technology seminar, it was evident that the suspension/alignment tech will have to be more educated and focus more on accuracy,” said Dean Pellegrino, Tru Align CEO and Wheel & Tire Council Select Committee member. “These are just the first three—ABS, TPMS, ESC—systems of a larger list coming at us. You must understand the foundation before you can build on it.”

"This is only the first step in identifying and prioritizing industry needs and determining the best actions to help our members understand the technology associated with ESC systems,” said SEMA Vice President of Vehicle Technology John Waraniak. “We are moving forward with several initiatives with the OEMs and leading ESC suppliers and technology providers to help our members analyze new technology and develop product that accommodates current and future vehicle systems.”

Four Vehicle Technology Briefing Seminars covering ESC, Mobile Electronics, Connected Vehicle and Performance Diesel applications are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, October 30–31, during the 2007 SEMA Show. Click here for more information.

Filler for eNews

If you missed today's webinar, "Get Paid: Avoiding Slow/Non-Paying Customers and Collecting Debt," stay tuned for the download next week. Learn how to avoid the hassle of collecting money that's past due with Doug Frymer, as he discusses how to avoid slow or non-paying customers through careful screening, as well as documenting the necessary sales and ordering information needed in court.

Also on the agenda are the different types of claims courts, collection agencies, arbitration and mediation. Also, be sure to mark you calendar for our October 19 webinar, “Lean Thinking—The Toyota Way of Doing Business."

The Toyota Production System has been translated for non-production “knowledge work,” known as Lean Thinking. Presented by Russ Mundo, Field Support Manager, University of Toyota, this webinar will provide the core principles of Lean Thinking and an overview of the Lean Thinking Team Process—the Plan. Learn tool phases to organize and implement your project work and how to direct your team’s efforts away from wasteful activities. Learn the benefits of Lean Thinking and how to increase productivity on Friday, October 19, 10:00 a.m. (PST).

For more information on the webinars listed above, upcoming sessions, or past sessions available for download, visit www.sema.org/webinar.