The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. appointed W. Mark Schmitz to executive vice president and chief financial officer. Schmitz succeeds Richard Kramer, who was named to the additional post of president of Goodyear's North American Tire (NAT) business unit in March. Prior to joining Goodyear, Schmitz was most recently vice president and CFO for Tyco International's Fire and Security Segment, where he has been since 2003.

Delta Consolidated Industries (DCI) named Julius Boyd director of strategic accounts. Boyd joins DCI with 23 years of experience in various marketing and sales leadership positions. As director of strategic accounts, Boyd will manage DCI’s relationship with its partners, particularly Tractor Supply Co. DCI also named Bryant Swart its Truck Equipment Division sales manager for North America. Swart has 25 years of sales management experience in several channels, including building materials, hardware, house wares, automotive, discount, drug and HVAC.

Tower Automotive named Mark Malcolm president and chief executive officer of the company. The move is a result of former CEO Kathleen Ligocki stepping down last week. Malcolm previously served as lead automotive consultant for Cerberus Capital Management. The company recently completed the sale of its assets to Cerberus on July 31, as part of a corporation-wide restructuring plan.

The Penray Automotive Division named Chris Kouri and Associates as its sales representatives in the southwest, including California, Arizona and Nevada. “Penray is in a great position right now, and it was important for us to partner with an agency that really knows and understands the industry,” said Fowler. “We are looking for a long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationship, and we know that Chris Kouri and Associates is going to be our partner in growth.”

KICKER Car Stereo announced that Makita is the newest partner to join its Livin’ Loud lifestyle campaign. Makita will work alongside current KICKER partners Monster Energy (sports beverages), Polaris (snowmobiles, ATVs), OGIO (gear bags), and Oakley (sunglasses, goggles, apparel).

Roadhouse Marketing announced that it was retained by SpeedFed Media to help identify promotional opportunities and to connect marketers to lifestyles, interests and activities of Gen X and Gen Y. Roadhouse Marketing’s primary role is as an advisor for the SPEEDFED NATIONALS sport compact car show and lifestyle event set for August 18-19, Rockingham Dragway, Rockingham, North Carolina.

Filler for eNews

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

>> SEMA Webinar: What the U.S. Supreme Court’s Leegin Decision Means for Minimum Resale Price Agreements, August 10, 10 a.m. (PST)
>> SEMA Webinar: Boost Your Company Image, Sales and Profitability With Good Product Data, August, 16, 10 a.m. (PST)
>> MRC Rep Conference, September 26–27, Phoenix
>> SEMA Show, October 30–November 2, Las Vegas
>> MPMC Media Trade Conference, January 22–24, 2008, Los Angeles

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstoreusa.com) at Travel Store USA, 949/930-9268.

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities at www.sema.org/classifieds. Working for a SEMA-member company has many advantages. In addition to working for a company that supports and contributes to the success of the overall industry, being employed by a SEMA-member company enable the employee to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more. The newest classified listings posted under Positions Available include:

• Director of New Business Development, Suwanee, Georgia
• Mechanical Design Engineer, City of Industry, California
• Advertising Sales, Fullerton, California
• Corporate Controller, Azusa California
• Engine Builder, Azusa, California
• Retail Sales, Azusa, California

SEMA members: Have a job opening that you need filled? Members are invited to post classified ads on www.sema.org/classifieds free of charge. Categories include Positions Available, Positions Wanted, Rep Opportunities, WD Opportunities, For Sale, Items Wanted, Business Opportunities and Internships. Visit the site for details.

CarGurus recently announced its mid-year top 10 most popular car models as voted by consumers on www.CarGurus.com. Based on the quantity and quality of ratings received by each car on the website, 2007 models were ranked by consumer popularity. Given the recent spikes in gas prices, CarGurus commented that it was surprising that 70% of the top 10 most popular cars were utility trucks or sports cars. Topping the popularity list was the Jeep Wrangler, followed by the Ford Mustang.

Over the last six months with slightly under 1.5 million unique visitors, CarGurus collected the user ratings of all 2007 models. As of June 30, 2007, CarGurus tallied the number of ratings and the positive or negative nature of the ratings to create a mid-year overall popularity index of 2007 cars. Below are the top 10 most popular cars as of June 30, 2007 as voted on by visitors to www.cargurus.com.

Of additional interest was the fact that none of the top 10 cars had an average gas mileage that met the most recent 2004 Federal CAFE gas mileage standard (27.5 mpg for cars and 20.7 mpg for light trucks). The gas-stingy Toyota Prius (average mpg of 46) was only the 15th most popular car on the list (not listed above). According to Ward’s Auto, the best-selling cars for the first half of 2007 mirror this gas-mileage trend, with only two of the top-15-selling cars (the compact sedans Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic) beating the CAFE gas-mileage requirements.

“U.S. online auto consumers love their sports cars and utility trucks,” remarked Langley Steinert, Co-founder and CEO of CarGurus. “While online consumers understand the gas crisis intellectually, they just don’t seem willing to part with the cargo space and performance offered by utility trucks and sports cars.”

Source: CarGurus. (August 2, 2007). “U.S. Online Auto Consumers Can’t Face the Gas Crisis.” CarGurus press release courtesy of PR Newswire.

Source: SEMA Research & Information Center

Forecasting the demand of specialty-equipment parts and accessories provides an invaluable tool for strategic market planners and helps answer one ongoing question: How will industry sales do in the coming months? To help answer this question, SEMA commissioned the market-research firm TechnoMetrica to survey consumers every month in order to gauge their specialty-equipment purchase intentions over the next three months. In July, TechnoMetrica's nationally representative sample of 1,004 consumers—which represents approximately 114 million U.S. households—showed a slight increase in the number of consumers planning on purchasing specialty equipment over the next three months.

In July 2007, 23% of adult American drivers (or approximately 24 million households) indicated that they had plans to purchase specialty equipment, a 1% increase from June. By product, wheels, tires and suspension components were the most popular aftermarket products consumers were likely to purchase (18% or 18 million households), followed by racing and performance products (10% or 10 million households) and specialty accessories/appearance products (8% or 8 million households).

It is interesting to note that as the age of drivers gets higher, the plans to purchase industry products goes down. Over half (55%) of the 18–24 group intends to modify their vehicle, while only 13% of drivers 65 and older plan to do so. The pattern holds true even as we look at the three major segments of products that make up the industry. As you look at the table below, notice that the percentage of consumers planning to make a purchase has risen in some cases (as indicated by the +/- in parenthesis).

The graph below shows three-month moving averages of the types of vehicles marked for accessorization. For example, the last data plot in the graph represents the average over the last three months whereas the first data plot represents the average over the first three months of 2007. Over the last three months, on average, midsize vehicles were the most common target vehicles for enhancement or modification (19%), followed by compact cars (18%), pickups (17%) and fullsize cars (12%). The fact that pickups come in a close third to midsize and compact cars shows that consumers are still passionate and anticipate customizing their vehicles regardless of fuel prices.

The graph below shows three-month moving averages of the preferred distribution channels for specialty-equipment purchases of those surveyed. Over the last three months, on average, car dealerships and chain auto-parts stores were the top choice for consumers to purchase specialty equipment among those planning to enhance their vehicles (30% and 20%, respectively), while independent parts stores held the third place position (15%).

Source: SEMA Research & Information Center

During Chrysler’s “What’s New” media preview last month, global product development chief Frank Klegon shook things up by announcing the automaker is exploring a four-cylinder diesel for North America, according to a recent article by Diesel Forecast.

Klegon didn’t provide more details, dangling the question of whether Chrysler, in the midst of an ownership transition, will pull one vehicle from its stable of European diesels or look outside the box with an all-new engine. 

James Weidenbach, who manages diesel applications and powertrain platform engineering at Chrysler, noted that “there’s a clear recognition inside (Chrysler) of the importance of diesel in the United States. We need to figure out a way to convince the American public of that alternative.”

Weidenbach hinted that Chrysler in fact will look to Europe for a U.S. diesel. “From a development side, it’s much easier to use an existing product than to engineer from scratch,” he says.

Chrysler’s overseas four cylinders include the 2.2L on the PT Cruiser, and the 2.0L in the Sebring and Avenger. That 2.0L is built by Volkswagen, which will introduce a 50-state diesel 2.0L next year on its Jetta TDI and will not require after-treatment fluid, such as urea, to meet emissions standards.

Chrysler’s European diesel lineup also includes the 300 Sedan and Touring 3.0L V6, Voyager and Grand Voyager (Town & Country) 2.8L four-cylinder. “It gives us a lot of flexibility,” Weidenbach says. “The offerings we have now give us the ability to go lots of different directions.”

Weidenbach has a good grounding in what Americans may want, or may not want, having shepherded the 2.8L four-cylinder Jeep Liberty to market. The vehicle first went on sale in 2005 and was discontinued in 2006. Rated at 160 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, the common rail diesel was compared with the 210 hp and 235 lb-ft on the 3.7L gasoline V6 Liberty. At the time, some critics were disappointed the diesel Jeep did not have superior towing capacity to the gasoline equivalent 5,000-lb. benchmark.

Still, Weidenbach has no regrets about the Liberty CRD market or road performance. “The Liberty sold three times more than we anticipated,” he says. “It was truly a test case.”

For now, Chrysler is returning to the upscale market with the 3.0L V6 diesel engine on the Jeep Grand Cherokee, priced at $38,475. The Grand Cherokee is a 3.0L common rail turbo diesel with 215 hp, 376 lb.-ft. of torque with 7,400 lbs. of towing capacity.

Weidenbach notes improvements in electronics are likely to yield the greatest engine efficiencies and refinement. He cites the example of pilot injection, which opens the fuel-injection nozzle to allow a tiny amount of fuel before the main injection in an effort to decrease engine knock. “We’re metering down to a cubic millimeter of fuel,” he says. “That’s pretty good, but I think you need to get down to half a millimeter.”

Source: Anderson, Scott. (July, 2007). “Chrysler Mulls European Lineup for U.S. Diesel Entry.” Diesel Forecast. Retrieved August 3, 2007 from www.dieselforecast.com. 

Hybrid vehicles are on course to achieve record sales in 2007, increasing by 35% compared with 2006, according to the “J.D. Power and Associates 2007 U.S. Hybrid Vehicle Forecast Second Quarter Update.”

According to Ward’s Auto, an estimated 185,913 hybrid vehicles were sold in the U.S. market through the first half of 2007, accounting for 12.8% of the total U.S. new light-vehicle market through June. While sales of hybrid vehicles are projected to decline slightly in the second half of the year, J.D. Power and Associates says that the market is still on track to sell 345,000 hybrids in 2007—a 35% increase from the 256,000 hybrids sold in 2006.

“High gas prices during the first half of 2007, coupled with automakers lowering the price premium for most hybrid models, have given the hybrid market a boost,” said Mike Omotoso, senior manager of global powertrain forecasting for J.D. Power and Associates.

The Toyota Prius continues to be the most popular hybrid model, selling 94,503 units through June 2007 and representing 50.8% of all new hybrid vehicles sold in the U.S. market in 2007. Prius sales were bolstered earlier this year when Toyota began offering incentives up to $2,000 to entice customers.

“Toyota realized that they had to offer incentives for the Prius to offset the decrease in the federal tax break, which decreased from more than $3,000 in 2006 to less than $1,000 in 2007,” said Omotoso. “The incentives helped Toyota maintain a strong sales pace for the Prius.”

Despite the entry of nine new hybrid vehicle models in the market in 2007—seven of which are expected to go on sale between July and December—the Prius is projected to continue as the sales leader among hybrid vehicles during the next few years.

Competition in the hybrid segment is projected to intensify further in the coming years. According to the J.D. Power and Associates report, there will be as many as 65 hybrid models—28 cars and 37 light trucks in the market by 2010, with sales expected to reach nearly 775,000 units, or 4.6% of the total U.S. new light-vehicle market.

“While consideration for hybrids is falling, interest in hybrids is still strong among consumers, and projections indicate steady growth for this segment in the coming years,” said Omotoso. “Bringing additional hybrid models to the market will serve to fuel that interest.”

Source: J.D. Power and Associates. (August 2, 2007). “J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Hybrid Vehicle Sales on Pace to Reach Record Sales in 2007.” J.D. Power and Associates press release courtesy of PR Newswire.

Volkswagen of America, Inc. has set a new record with its Touareg V10 TDI driven by Ryan Arciero at the 2007 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) Race to the Clouds race—a 12.4-mile course. Arciero’s time of 13:17:70 was officially declared the new record holder for the alternative fuel diesel truck high performance showroom stock division. The previous record for this division was set in 2000 with a time of 13:34:63.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized as the record holder at a historic race like Pikes Peak,” said Arciero. “The Touareg V10 TDI is the perfect vehicle for this race, giving the driver an abundance of torque, traction and stability. That’s a highly effective combination for the short straights, 156 corners and switchbacks of this race.”

Volkswagen raced three diesel-powered Touaregs in the High Performance Showroom Stock division at the 2007 PPIHC. Second-place driver Mark Miller’s official time of 13:25:24 was also good enough to break the seven-year-old division record for diesel vehicles by over nine seconds.

As consumers learn more about diesel’s capability to race and win races, interest in diesels grows. Audi recently said that since it has raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, it has noticed increases in sales. For two years in a row, the Audi R10 TDI has won Le Mans, publicity that is sure to boost diesel’s image in the minds of consumers.

Source: Volkswagen of America, Inc. (July 30, 2007). “Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI Sets New Record at the 85th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.” Volkswagen of America, Inc. press release courtesy of PR Newswire; SEMA Research & Information Center.

On the web, content is king—or it should be. If you want people to visit, stick around, and come back to your small business’ website, give them substance, says a recent article by the National Federation of Independent Businesses.

The appearance of your website is still important in helping establish professionalism and credibility. But the information and other substantive material you provide matters most.

Several studies have backed up this common-sense notion. One study, from the Poynter Institute and Stanford University, showed that, unlike with newspapers and magazines, people who read web news sites typically focus on the text first, looking at photos and graphics afterward. People on the Internet operate in “Internet time” or in other words, fast. They don’t linger over web pages as they would a newspaper or magazine when drinking a cup of coffee.

Another study, by Forrester Research, showed that what people value most on a website is “direct paths to the content I am looking for.” Next was “proper labeling of menu items.” After this, people most valued “great search.”

People reading websites, for the most part, seek substance over style and usefulness over flash. They want to get what they want quickly. Here are some ways to make this happen:

1) Readers should know immediately upon accessing your site why they should stick around and what’s in it for them. Instead of relying strictly on fancy graphics and animations, which often slow visitors down, use meaningful headlines, subheads and menus and other links. Headlines, links and similar labeling text are better when clear rather than merely clever.

2) Make background information about yourself or your organization available from the home page, if appropriate. Discerning readers will look for this to help determine the authority and legitimacy of your content. If you include advertising, separate it from the informational content to avoid compromising your objectivity.

3) If your site consists of more than a few pages, provide a site map or index that displays all the interior links for those who want to get their bearings from the outset. Providing navigational buttons to the site’s major sections at the bottom or edge of internal pages helps people stay oriented. An internal search engine lets them hone in on what they’re after from the get-go.

4) It’s usually better to keep text brief. Break up long passages into multiple pages. Many people don’t scroll down web pages, focusing instead on the first screen of text. If your text is longer than one screen, use the inverted pyramid style of newspaper writing, putting your most important information first and later elaborating.

5) Tell the whole story. The web makes in-depth elaboration possible by having fewer space restrictions than any other medium. People may feel cheated if you leave out important information.

6) Text should be accurate, complete and interesting. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, broken links and other mistakes that can undermine your credibility.

7) Include a “last updated” or similar message. If you’re not finished with a page or section, don’t link to it and apologize with an “under construction” sign. It’s far better to link to pages after you’ve completed them, preventing frustration when readers click for content they can’t access.

8) Finally, periodically re-evaluate the quality of your content. Make sure the information is still current, accurate and complete. Test links, both internal and external, to ensure they’re still working.

Source: Goldsborough, Reid. (July 26, 2007). “Beefing Up Your Web Site Content.” The National Federation of Independent Businesses. Retrieved on August 2, 2007 on www.nfib.com.