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Be sure to attend the seminar “Boost Your Company Image, Sales and Profitability with Good Product Information" at the 2007 SEMA Show, Monday, October 29, 2:00–3:30 p.m, in room N257 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The industry is quickly moving to standardized product information and the benefits are clear: increased sales, fewer returns, improved product exposure and faster turnarounds. The workshop, sponsored by SEMA’s Business Technology Committee, will cover the very basics of Data Standards (ACES and PIES) content and drill into 19 of the most vital pieces of product information needed by today’s performance, racing and accessory distributors to make a sale.

For advance seminar information, contact speaker Scott O’Toole at 269/463-0507 or by e-mail: sotoole@motorstate.com. For information about other seminars being offered through the Education Week program at the 2007 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

At first glance, this may look like Honda’s “Airwave," a small Asian-market people-mover/wagon. The “Airwave” badge is covered with a small piece of electrical tape, as are the Honda badges. With a facelift expected for the Airwave in 2009, it would have been easy to assume that this was just a freshening (although it did seem odd to see two left-hand-drive versions of the Asia-only Honda).

It was difficult to see the body-colored panels welded on from afar, but getting a close-up look at this “Airwave," we quickly noticed the front clip and headlamps were right off the Japanese version of the Jazz/Fit. Also, the dash and all the gauges were right off the Fit. This was no Airwave, nor was this a Fit!

This is actually a developmental test mule for the much-publicized 2010 “Global Small Hybrid." This isn’t speculation! Because styling details aren’t visible, sources were willing to divulge a few details about these very vehicles, and we were able to confirm that these are indeed engineering mules for Honda’s Prius-fighting hybrid.

Honda’s all-new hybrid, likely to debut in 2009, is expected to exceed the current Prius’ MPG rating and sell for a lower base price. Global sales are estimated at 200,000 units annually, with half of those to be sold in the United States. The new hybrid will be built in Suzuka, Japan and will offer an all-new, dedicated hybrid powertrain.

A federal judge in Vermont rejected a challenge by the auto industry that the greenhouse gas emissions standards issued by California are actually fuel-economy standards, thereby restricted to federal jurisdiction. The standards have been adopted by Vermont and 10 other states and require a 30% reduction in carbon-dioxide (CO2) emissions from cars and trucks by 2016 on a phased-in basis beginning in model year 2009. A similar lawsuit is pending in California. 
 
CO2 is released when a carbon-based fuel, such as gasoline, burns. Unlike catalytic converters, there are no devices to easily trap CO2, thus reducing fuel consumption is the most direct way to address the issue. By law, fuel efficiency is regulated solely by the federal government. SEMA agrees with the automakers’ position that the California regulation is preempted by federal law. 
 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must first issue a waiver allowing the California regulation to take effect before California, Vermont or any other state can implement it. The EPA has yet to decide whether California has authority to regulate CO2 emissions. A decision is expected later this year. The Supreme Court, meanwhile, ruled last spring that the EPA has the authority and responsibility to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. President Bush has directed the EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to address CO2 emissions and reduce gasoline consumption by 20% by 2017. The EPA is now working with the NHTSA to draft a CO2 regulation that would conform to the NHTSA’s CAFE rules. The EPA’s deadline to issue a final rule is late 2008. 
 
It is SEMA’s position that if greenhouse gases need to be regulated, it should be handled at the federal level in a way that addresses total emissions from all industries, and in a manner that finds the most equitable and comprehensive method for accomplishing the task. Since there is a direct relationship between CO2 and fuel consumption, SEMA also supports HR 2927, a bill to increase the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards to around 32–35 miles per gallon by model year 2022 for both cars and light trucks. The auto industry believes this is a tough, but attainable, increase and is urging members of the House of Representatives to support the bill.

For further information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

CANCELLED: The Champ Car World Series round scheduled for the streets of Phoenix, Arizona, December 2, was officially cancelled after organizers could not generate enough corporate support to hold the event.

CHANGES: The Indy Car Series is planning several changes for its series and cars next year, including the introduction of a paddle-shift system and the possible implementation of power steering for road-racing events.

PORSCHE POWER: Porsche’s Cayenne engine will make its debut in the Grand American Rolex Series in the series finale at Miller Motorsports Park. The engine will power The Spirit of Daytona Fabcar wheeled by Guy Cosmo and Marc-Antoine Camirand.

INTERESTING DOUBLE: The ARCA RE/MAX Series completed an interesting Labor Day weekend double Monday. The series raced on the 1.25-mile superspeedway at Gateway International Raceway Friday, with rookie Bryan Clauson getting his first victory and hit the dirt Monday at the Duquoin (Illinois) State Fairgrounds. Ken Schrader was the winner at the one-mile dirt track.

A FUNNY CAR: Top Fuel drag racer Melanie Troxel will make the move to the Funny Car division next season, wheeling a second car out of Evan Knoll’s stable as a teammate to U.S. Nationals winner Mike Ashley.

NEW OWNERS: Arizona Diamondbacks executives Jeff Moorad and Tom Garfinkel have purchased a controlling interest of the Hall of Fame Racing NASCAR Nextel Cup Series team owned by Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach.

TRAGEDY: Twenty-seven-year-old sprint-car racer Billy Kimmel was killed in a violent crash Sunday night at Pennsylvania’s Williams Grove Speedway.

NUMBER ONE: Tony Schumacher used his sixth U.S. Nationals Top Fuel triumph to take advantage of a sub-par week by all of the drivers in the NSSN Power Rankings, and jumped to the top of the standings. Lewis Hamilton ranks second.

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NEWS NUGGETS
NITRO PERCENTAGE RETURNS TO 90%: Beginning with the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series season, the maximum percentage of nitromethane used in the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series will be increased from 85% to 90%. According to Dan Olson, NHRA Director Top Fuel and Funny Car Racing, the decision was made after NHRA officials evaluated input from some team owners, crew chiefs and suppliers. The consensus among those groups is that the rule change will extend the life of parts and reduce costs. In 2008, NHRA will closely monitor the situation to determine whether the expected results are achieved. Any unfavorable effect may result in immediate adjustments.

TROXEL SURPRISE TOP FUEL WINNER AT MEMPHIS: Melanie Troxel, who just missed qualifying for the POWERade Countdown to the Championship, played the spoiler role and raced to her second Top Fuel victory of the season, defeating surprise late-season championship contender Doug Herbert in the final round at Memphis Motorsports Park. Other winners at Memphis included Countdown players Gary Scelzi (FC); Dave Connolly (PS); and Andrew Hines (PSM).  

COUNTDOWN TO FOUR TAKES SHAPE: Midway through the Countdown to Four, several drivers have established themselves as candidates to make the big step to the Countdown to One. In Top Fuel, Doug Herbert made the biggest move with his runner-up effort, landing in fifth place, 43 points out of the top four. Countdown leader Tony Schumacher was upset in the first round, but didn’t lose too much ground because Larry Dixon and Rod Fuller lost in the early rounds, and Brandon Bernstein used a semifinal finish to hold on to his top four spot.
    A semifinal effort for Robert Hight increased his series lead in Funny Car, while Jack Beckman’s runner-up finish strengthened his hold on a top four finish. Winner Gary Scelzi bumped Tony Pedregon and non-qualifier Mike Ashley out of the top four. In Pro Stock, Dave Connolly raced to another victory and appears to have the momentum over rival KB Racing’s Greg Anderson. A victory for Andrew Hines gave the three-time defending POWERade Series champ the points lead in Pro Stock Motorcycle. Surprise Countdown contender Craig Treble raced to the semifinals in Memphis and could advance to the Countdown to One with a solid finish at Dallas.

AUTOZONE JOINS TOLIVER’S ROCKSTAR FUNNY CAR TEAM: Rockstar Energy Drink, the primary sponsor of Jerry Toliver's Toyota Solara Funny Car, and AutoZone, a retailer and distributor of auto parts, have announced a partnership that returns AutoZone to NHRA Drag Racing. “The entire Rockstar team and I are very excited to have AutoZone as our new partner," said Toliver, a veteran Funny Car driver from Temecula, California. "I'm calling out to all the NHRA fans to 'Get in the Zone' and shop at AutoZone for all their automotive needs.”
    The new look to Toliver's Solara was unveiled Friday afternoon at Memphis Motorsports Park prior to the beginning of qualifying for the O'Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals presented by Pennzoil.

U.S. ARMY DROPS SPONSORSHIP OF DSR MOTORCYCLES: The U.S. Army has announced its decision to step away from its sponsorship of the two Pro Stock Motorcycles racing under the Don Schumacher Racing umbrella after 2007. 
    "Given the great pride the program brings our soldiers and everyone associated with the U.S. Army Pro Stock Motorcycles, this was not an easy decision to make," said Col. David Lee, Director of Strategic Communications. "We do, however, remain committed to NHRA and its fans who continue to support our program and soldiers, and look forward to continuing our sponsorship of the DSR Top Fuel team. We want to thank Angelle Sampey, Antron Brown, Steve Tartaglia, and the members of the Pro Stock Motorcycle team, as well as the entire Don Schumacher Racing organization, for their professionalism and their performances on behalf of the U.S. Army.
    "We also want to thank all of the fans who support the U.S. Army Racing program, and wish both Angelle and Antron the best of luck moving forward. We are proud of our teams and the effort put forth by the riders and crew throughout our relationship."

COMING ATTRACTIONS
O’REILLY NHRA FALL NATIONALS, TEXAS MOTORPLEX, SEPTEMBER 20–23: The third of four races in the Countdown to Four, defending event winners include Brandon Bernstein, Robert Hight, and Richie Stevens Jr. Also, for the first time since 2000, the Pro Stock Motorcycles will return to compete at Texas Motorplex. This is the final race in the Countdown to Four for the Pro Stock Motorcycle teams.

TORCO RACING FUELS NHRA NATIONALS, VIRGINIA MOTORSPORTS PARK, OCTOBER 5–7: The Countdown to One fields will be set when the POWERade Series returns to the East Coast, where Cory McClenathan, Eric Medlen and Jason Line won in 2006.

NHRA SPORT COMPACT FALL NATIONALS, OLD BRIDGE TOWNSHIP RACEWAY PARK, OCTOBER 6–7: The drivers of the Xplod Series return to this historic track to fight for points that will lead to the year-end world championship. Look for records to fall in the cool fall weather. This also marks the last race for the Eastern Region Sportsman Championship.

.INSIDE THE NUMBERS
36: On Sunday at Memphis, Gary Scelzi raced to his 36th career victory in the NHRA pro ranks (25 Top Fuel, 11 Funny Car) and passed legend “Big Daddy” Don Garlits on the all-time wins list. Scelzi is one of 13 drivers to earn victories in both nitro categories and is one of only two drivers to win NHRA POWERade Series championships in Top Fuel and Funny Car (also Kenny Bernstein).
    The versatile Scelzi, who recently said that he will not retire next season as previously announced, also has six victories on his resume in the NHRA Lucas Oil Series (three Top Alcohol Dragster, three Top Alcohol Funny Car) and remains the only driver in NHRA history to earn national event victories in NHRA’s four quickest categories (TF, FC, TAD, TAFC).

DRIVERS TELL ALL
CONNOLLY PEAKING AT RIGHT TIME IN PRO STOCK: Dave Connolly has opened the Countdown to Four with back-to-back victories over season-long dominator Greg Anderson and the young Pro Stock phenom is feeling as confident as ever as only two races remain until the Countdown to One fields are established.
    "You couldn't ask for a better time to get hot," Connolly said. "It's just remarkable and I'm so thankful I get to do this with the team I have. These guys are like family to me. I'm just a small part of this whole process, the lucky guy that gets to drive up and down the track. I start to look back three or four years when I was first getting started and every time I got to the final, there was Greg and he was beating me. Here we are a few years later and I've beaten him in two finals in a row. Everything is just clicking right now and hopefully we don't use up all our luck before we're done."

KTC Media Group announced that Lawson Mollica has joined the marketing, creative and production company’s ranks as vice president of business development. Mollica was previously the marketing manager for Advanced Engine Management Inc. (AEM). In his new role, Mollica is responsible for creating new accounts and working with existing clients to fully capitalize on their marketing and public relations efforts. Mollica is no stranger to KTC Media Group, as he was employed by company owner and President Kipp Kington 11 years ago as an editor for Turbo, Import Tuner, EuroTuner and Today’s SUV (now Diesel Power) magazines, and worked with KTC Media Group in his role at AEM.

 Lawson Mollica

Penray promoted Mark Fryar to national field sales manager. In his new position, Fryar will manage the daily field sales activities of Matt Zahradka, Eastern region sales manager, Eddie Anderson, Western region sales manager and Bill Wicker, installed products group manager. Fryar will be headquartered in Penray’s Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, office. 

Arma Coatings hired Norman Dean “Dino” Deschaine as sales manager. Deschaine’s experience includes positions at Wentworth Buick and two Fairbanks, Alaska-area dealerships. Deschaine was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and educated throughout the world by a military family prior to joining the United States Air Force as a combat controller. 

 Norman Dean Deschaine

New Zealand Australian Co. Inc. hired Brian Abe to handle the company’s finance and intellectual property holdings. Abe, who holds an MBA, will also provide general support to NZA’s marketing initiatives.

  Brian Abe

Tire Group International hired Steve Shafer as manager of the new West Coast office of the company’s wholesale domestic division. Shafer has more than 25 years of tire wholesale experience and was previously with Barron’s Wholesale Tire.

Lauren Manufacturing named Bill Locker as production supervisor. In this role, Locker will execute Lean manufacturing concepts throughout the production floor, uphold a positive workforce through a team-building approach, monitor the flow of production and maintain continuous communication between hourly employees and the company’s market units.

 Bill Locker

Manufacturers' Representatives Council (MRC)

Here is a breakdown of MRC's activities for the rest of the year:

SEMA Show 2007
General Membership Meeting & Awards Ceremony—Presentation of the Hall of Fame and STAR Awards
Date: Sunday October 28
Location: Las Vegas Hilton Hotel, Pavilion 6
Time: 4 p.m.–6 p.m.

Rep Center for MRC Reps Only
Date: Sunday, October 28–Friday, November 5
Location: Center Hall, Room C104 (Front of building)

Rep Center Hours
Sunday: Noon–4 p.m.
Monday: Thursday–8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

To reserve a meeting room, contact Nancy Lund to confirm availability at mrc@sema.org or 909/396-0289. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Click here to download sponsorship form.

Breakfast with the Interns
Date: Thursday, November 1, 2007
Location: Room S233, South Hall
Time:  7:30 a.m.–8:30 a.m.  

Long Range Planning Open Meeting – PRI Show
Date:  Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Location: Orlando, Florida – Hotel & Room TBD
Time:  8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

SEMA and the MRC cordially invite you to participate in the SEMA/MRC Interactive Town Hall Dinner, a new component of the SEMA MRC Rep Conference that is designed specifically for manufacturers, WDs and reps. The MRC Rep Conference Town Hall Interactive Dinner takes place immediately following the close of the PWA Conference on Wednesday, September 26, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with the famed MRC-sponsored cocktail hour. Dinner service will begin at 6:20 p.m., and the Town Hall discussion will begin at 7:00 p.m., lasting until 9:00 p.m.

The Town Hall is a unique interactive discussion that will explore the expectations the manufacturer, warehouse distributor and manufacturers' rep all have in an agency or rep servicing a satellite warehouse location. 

• Join leading manufacturers and WDs in uncovering the best way to address sales training for WDs.
• Discover new ways to introduce new products, ultimately leading to more sales.
• Go home with practical solutions to your biggest challenges.

Reserving your seat is easy, click here to download a copy of the registration form. To learn more about the MRC Rep Conference, visit www.sema.org/mrc or contact Jan Desma at mrc@sema.org or call 909/396-0289, ext. 134.

To learn more about the MRC, visit www.sema.org/mrc or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

The latest news from SEMA councils and committees:

Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)

All ARMO-member companies, branch offices and individuals are invited to attend the events the council has scheduled for SEMA Show week. 

ARMO Functions at the SEMA Show

ARMO Industry Awards Reception, with emcee Dennis Gage, host of "My Classic Car"
Date: Tuesday, October 30
Time: 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Location: Ballroom C, Las Vegas Hilton Hotel

ARMO Open General Membership Meeting
Date: Wednesday, October 31
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Location: CR 1–3, Las Vegas Hilton Hotel

To learn more about ARMO, visit www.sema.org/armo or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

During SEMA Show week, all HRIA members are invited to celebrate and honor exceptional industry individuals during the HRIA Industry Awards Reception, Wednesday, October 31, 5:30 p.m., in the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel, Ballrooms A & B.

• Largest SEMA council networking event!
• Celebrate with the newest members entering the HRIA Hall of Fame
• Find out what company will be receiving the Business of the Year Award
• What individual will be recognized and awarded the Industry Recognition Award?  Be there to find out.
• Recognition of the Best New Product of the Year award recipient (judged from the New Products display at the Show)

To learn more about the HRIA, visit www.sema.org/hria or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Light-Truck Accessory Alliance (TORA)

• The DVD “Why Paint Colors Vary?” This valuable resource is now available. TORA members now have a valuable new tool that will help educate consumers about the challenges of the paint-color-matching process. Available for dealers and installers to play in their waiting areas, the video is presented in a professional format and brings a consistent message on why paint colors vary. The TORA “Why Paint Colors Vary?” DVD is available to TORA council members free of charge (or $49.95 for non-TORA members). Other tools available from TORA are the CHMSL and altered-height CDs. For details or to place an order, contact Staci Bostock at 909/396-0289, ext. 104, or e-mail stacib@sema.org.

To learn more about the TORA, visit www.sema.org/TORA or contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC)

• The 11th annual MPMC Media Trade Conference is set for Tuesday, January 22–Thursday, January 24, 2008, at the Embassy Suites Hotel LAX South in Los Angeles. For more information on the MPMC Media Trade Conference, contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

To learn more about the MPMC, visit www.sema.org/mpmc.

Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)

To learn more about PRO, visit www.sema.org/pro or contact Ellen McKoy at ellenm@sema.org.

Sport-Compact Council (SCC)

To learn more about the SCC, visit www.sema.org/scc or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

Wheel & Tire Council (WTC)

• Like to get some exposure for your company in front of the wheel and tire industries’ top companies and also have a good time? Become a sponsor of the WTC Reception during the 2007 SEMA Show. The reception is scheduled for Wednesday, October 31, 5:00–7:00 p.m., at the Las Vegas Hilton, Pavilion 1. Sponsorship Agreement forms have been mailed to all WTC members. If you need a Sponsorship Agreement form or have any questions about the WTC Reception, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org. Sponsorship Agreements must be received by Friday, September 28.
  
  

To learn more about the WTC, visit www.sema.org/wtc or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN)

• Like to get some exposure for your company in front of the industries’ top companies and also meet new people? Become a sponsor of the SEMA Networking Breakfast, Powered by SBN during the 2007 SEMA Show. The breakfast is scheduled for Thursday, November 1, 2007, 7:15 a.m.–9:00 a.m., Las Vegas Hilton, Ballroom A. Sponsorship Agreement forms have been mailed to all SBN members. If you need a Sponsorship Agreement form or have any questions about the SBN Networking Breakfast, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112 or paulm@sema.org. Sponsorship Agreements must be received by Friday, September 28.

• Get expert advice on a business-related problem. The SEMA Mentoring Program, Powered by the SBN, is available to all employees of SEMA-member companies. Ask a one-time question or be matched with an established leader. Visit www.sema.org/mentoring for details.
  
  
• SBN has sponsorship opportunities available for its annual breakfast held in conjunction with the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. For information, visit www.sema.org/images/pdf/2007SBNBreakfastSponsorshipAgreement.pdf.
  

To learn more about the SBN, visit www.sema.org/sbn.

Young Executives Network (YEN)

• The annual SEMA Show Silent Auction, hosted by YEN, raised more than $70,000 for the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2006. The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to students pursuing careers in automotive-related fields. SEMA members and Show exhibitors interested in donating an item or becoming involved in the 2007 Silent Auction are encouraged to visit the SEMA Silent Auction website at www.sema.org/silentauction or the YEN SEMA Silent Auction website at www.semasilentauction.com. 
  

• Would you like to gain more exposure for your company among our industry’s rising young executives? Would you like to enjoy a fun evening getting to know these future industry leaders? Become a sponsor of the Young Executives Network Reception! The reception is scheduled for Tuesday, October 30, 5:00–7:30 p.m., at the Las Vegas Hilton, Ballrooms E—G. The reception will have a '50s theme. Sponsorship Agreement forms have been mailed to all YEN members. If you need a Sponsorship Agreement form or have any questions about the YEN Reception, contact Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112, or paulm@sema.org. Sponsorship Agreements must be received by Friday, September 28, 2007.
  
• Did you know that the YEN has a Member of the Month Spotlight on the SEMA website and that anyone can be nominated? To view previous selections or to make a nomination, visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.

To learn more about the YEN, visit www.sema.org/yen or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

Filler for eNews

Don't lose your seat at the 11th annual OEM Accessory Roundtable at the SEMA Show, hosted by Jack Stavana, Director of Accessory Operations, Mazda North American Operations. The topic of discussion this year is "How to Raise the North American Automobile Dealership Accessory Business to a New Level," a subject with plenty of potential for discussion by all OEM accessory-development professionals. Sign up now, and bring a colleague! There's no cost for entry, lunch will be provided and a mixer follows the afternoon discussions. The registration deadline is Friday, October 5. Roundtable attendance is restricted to OEM executives and staff. Members of the media are not permitted.

11th Annual SEMA/OEM Accessory Roundtable
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
1:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m. (lunch provided)
LVCC N262–264 (Mixer to follow in N263C)

To register, contact:
Bill Wolf, 909/860-0184, billw@sema.org
Sandy Conolly, 909/396-0289 x155, sandyc@sema.org

Include:

• Name
• Company
• Title
• Phone/fax
• E-mail