Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., announced manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) for its 2008 Camry and Camry Hybrid.

The gas version carries over unchanged for the 2008 model year with a price increase of $100 for each grade. The weighted average of the increase represents 0.4% across all grades. The base MSRP for the 2008 Camry sedan ranges from $18,570 for the four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission to $28,120 for the premium XLE grade with a V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission.

The 2008 Camry Hybrid is a better value than ever, Toyota notes, as its price point has been lowered significantly, making Camry and Hybrid Synergy Drive technology available to more people. The Camry Hybrid is equipped with an array of standard features including a Smart Key system, dual-zone automatic climate control, Plasmacluster ionizer, 16-inch steel wheels and AM/FM/single CD audio system with six speakers.

Two new upgrade packages are available to those seeking more amenities. The upgrade packages are available with or without navigation. Both packages offer 16-inch alloy wheels, JBL audio, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob, an electrochromic rearview mirror with compass and HomeLink. Stand-alone options include a power tilt/slide moonroof, a leather-trimmed interior, driver and front passenger heated seats and heated outside mirrors.

Camry Hybrid’s base MSRP begins at $25,200, a decrease of $1,000 or -3.8% versus the 2007 model.

Both the 2008 Camry and Camry Hybrid will begin arriving in dealerships later this month.

According to recent data, sales of the Camry Hybrid reached 28,070 for the first six months of this year.  Total Camry sales reached 240,530 during the same time frame, growing 10% over previous year’s sales.  The Camry continues to be the number-one selling car in the United States today.

Source: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (July 20, 2007). “Toyota Announces Prices for 2008 Camry and Camry Hybrid.” Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. press release courtesy of PR Newswire; SEMA Research & Information Center.
 

Consumers are paying more money for the diesel option of a used vehicle than what that option originally cost new, according to a recent AutoWeek article. For example, the cost of the diesel option for the 2005 Mercedes E320 CDI sedan was $1,000, but the cost of this option rose to $2,500, according to Black Book used-vehicle price guide reports. The article notes that the reason for this lies in the fact that consumers want fullsize car and trucks with better fuel economy. In fact, consumers will buy over half a million diesel vehicles this year, and that number will double by 2011, according to the article. A stronger resale value for diesels signal consumers’ acceptance for diesels, which is giving rise to the OEMS bringing out more diesel cars and light trucks to the U.S. market in 2010. According to the Black Book data nearly every diesel-engine option is selling for more used than it did new, and the percentages below show the degree to this is occurring today:

As OEMs bring more diesels to the U.S. market, this diesel-engine appreciation could ease. However, today consumers are paying a premium for a vehicle with the diesel option. With this in mind, they may be willing to spend additional money on performance parts and accessories for these vehicle, which is an opportunity for the specialty-equipment industry to seize.

Source: Sawyers, Arlena. (July 23, 2007). “Dollars for Old Diesels? Used Diesels Command Higher Resale Prices.” AutoWeek. Retrieved July 27, 2007, from www.autoweek.com; SEMA Research & Information Center.

The concept of Six Sigma has been applied to many big businesses as a way to improve business processes, and several of these companies report substantial cost savings as a result. You can find out more about Six Sigma by downloading a series of SEMA webinars by going to www.sema.org/webinars and searching under archived webinars. In addition, the following article below, written by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, gives a simple example to help understand the basic approach to applying Six Sigma to your business.

Chances are you’ve heard about classes, seminars and websites devoted to the Six Sigma principle. Maybe you’ve even heard that it’s a management tool used by companies such as Motorola and General Electric. But you might not have heard a concise definition of exactly what Six Sigma is.

“Sigma” is a statistical term measuring how far a given process deviates from perfection; the governing philosophy of Six Sigma states that if you can measure how many defects are in a process, then you can systematically eliminate those and get closer to perfection.

Companies that adapt the Six Sigma management style use specific techniques to produce less than 3.4 defects for every 1 million “opportunities,” or steps in the process where a problem could occur. These companies hire Six Sigma quality managers and implement a more complex hierarchy of methodologies than could ever be practical for a small business. However, parts of the Six Sigma model can still be a useful management tool, no matter the size of your company.

One quality-control methodology in particular, known in Six Sigma text as DMADV (define, measure, analyze, design, verify), can be a useful model for business improvement. Let’s look at each part:

Define
In the greatest amount of detail you can, write down the goals for your project. For example, if you own a restaurant, you might set the goal that your servers sell dessert to 60% of their tables, as opposed to the vague, immeasurable goal “servers should sell more desserts.”

Measure
Designate a time period over which you’ll track your goal and your method for doing so.

Analyze
Let’s say you calculate the number of tables that ordered dessert for one week, and the total number is only 40%. Come up with all the reasons this might have happened. Are your servers remembering to offer dessert to each of their tables? Are your portions so large no one has room for dessert? Are you serving the same frozen cheesecakes from the same food supplier that half the other restaurants in your town serve? Go over every possibility.

Design
Once you’ve analyzed the problem, design your plan for correcting the situation. Retrain servers to offer desserts to every table. Put together a dessert tray to show each table after the main course is finished. Hire a local bakery to prepare pastries especially for your restaurant. Inform your employees about the plan, and put it into use.

Verify
Once again you’ll want to measure the results to see how your new plan is working. If you’re not getting the results you want, you may have to re-analyze and redesign. Perhaps the problem wasn’t the servers, but the limited choice of desserts. Your next plan could be a simple as adding sorbet to the menu. Keep up with this process until your original goal is met.

As you can see, behind the complicated numbers and processes of Six Sigma are old-fashioned, common-sense principles. And while most small-business owners can save their money and skip the next Six Sigma training seminar that comes to town, it may be worth looking through a book or two and seeing what you can adapt for your own business-improvement techniques.

Source: Flynn, Maggie. (July 18, 2007). “Putting Six Sigma Ideas to Work at Your Small Business.” The National Federation of Independent Businesses. Retrieved July 27, 2007 from www.nfib.com.

According to a recent WardsAuto.com article, when Toyota Motor Corp. introduced its 3.5L, DOHC V6, 2GR-FSE, many eyebrows were raised. The reason? The engine would be the first to combine direct-injection gasoline (DIG) fueling with conventional port fuel injection (PFI). The engine was launched in the 2006 Lexus IS 350, and has won two consecutive Ward’s 10 Best Engines awards.

Toyota indicated that the engine was developed in order to increase performance while at the same time reducing emissions. Now, others in the industry are “migrating to DIG fueling as a way to improve performance and fuel consumption” according to the article. Using direct injection alone forced Toyota to make certain compromises when developing engine technologies, for DIG used alone tends to limit volumetric efficiency and wide-open throttle engine performance. When combined with port fuel injection, an engine with DIG fueling would not experience curbed volumetric efficiency or high levels of cold-start emissions.

Toyota’s twin-injection design is called D-4S, a variation of the D-4 architecture which has been used since 1996 for four-cylinder engines and is now used in the inline 6 and V6 engine families. The D-4S delivers fuel in a “more evenly distributed spray pattern in the cylinder, precluding the need for high levels of charge motion,” according to the article. There is a DI injector and a port injector for each of the engine’s six cylinders. Toyota engineers say that brake-specific fuel consumption is improved by 4% and start-up emissions are reduced by 20%. The PFI system typically operates on its own during the actual cranking part of the engine startup phase. It is during this time that a substantial portion of the “raw” emissions of a cold start are produced. During high-load operation, only the DI injectors are used, which maximizes the DI’s ability to deliver a cooler and denser air/fuel mix. This promotes maximum power and torque.

As these types of technologies are further developed and improved upon, we should expect to see more of them in a wider range of vehicles, not just the premium brands. Automakers are continually finding ways to make more power and torque while at the same time creating engines that are more fuel efficient.

Source: Visnic, Bill.  (July 23, 2007). “Toyota V6 Twice-Injected With Innovative Thinking.”  WardsAuto.com. Retrieved July 23, 2007 from www.wardsauto.com.
 
Opinions and statements expressed herein are taken from the listed publications and do not necessarily reflect the views of SEMA.  SEMA is not responsible for factual errors.

The urban-lifestyle market is a form of vehicle customization that embodies the flamboyance, culture and lifestyles of young, urban (city-dwellers) drivers. Tune into this webinar and learn how to cash in on this profitable opportunity.

Urban-Lifestyle Report
Thursday, July 26, 2007
10:00 a.m. (PDT)

To join, click here.

Also, mark your calendar for our upcoming webinar that will sharpen your skills in communication and diplomacy:

Effective Communication Tips for Professional Success
Thursday, August 23, 2007
10:00 a.m. (PDT)

In 60 minutes, learn the art of diplomacy to get what you want. Barry Maher of Barry Maher & Associates will explain how to do just that in an interactive webinar full of tips for professional success; free to SEMA-member companies.

Diplomacy has been called the art of telling people to take a hike in the way that they'll actually look forward to the trip. We don't advocate telling your people, your customers, your partners or your bosses to go anywhere, but this outstanding session from Barry Maher shows you how to diplomatically and tactfully get what you want—and to get people to look forward to whatever trip you'd like them to take.

The SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser supported by DUB Magazine and Hot Wheels, presented by Advanstar and Alcoa, begins tomorrow! If you've made plans to attend, we look forward to seeing you there.

The sold-out event kicks off July 27 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, in Irvine, California with the Council Cup-Cash for Kids charity golf tournament. Buses depart from the hotel to nearby Strawberry Farms Golf Club at 6:30 a.m. See below for the SEMA council teams that will tee up to raise money for Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp.

Later in the evening, the Gala Auction begins at 6 p.m., with reception following at 6:30 p.m., and dinner and program starting at 7:30 p.m.

Dress for the event is cocktail attire or black-tie optional.

Space is still available for Friday afternoon's shopping excursion to nearby Fashion Island in Newport Beach, California. Transportation will be provided to and from Fashion Island, with a shuttle bus departing from the front of the Hyatt Regency Irvine Hotel at 9:30 a.m.

With sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, Fashion Island features retailers like Bloomingdales, Neiman-Marcus, and Macy's, as well as specialties including French furnisher Ligne Roset, Restoration Hardware, Indigo Palms and noted men's fashion merchant and tailor, Gary's.

For directions to the Hyatt Regency, please click here to read/print directions to the hotel or call 949/975-1234.

For more information about the event, please visit the Installation Banquet and Gala Fundraiser website here

The Council Cup — Cash for Kids teams include:

Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)
Ernie Silvers - Egge Machine Co. Inc.
Jim Barber - Classic Automotive Restoration
Matt Agosta – Steele Rubber Products
Alex Tainsh - Trim Parts, Inc.

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)
Chico Kodama - Mooneyes USA
Fred Tegarden - Gotta Show Products
Steve Duck - RCD Suspension
Jeff Farina - Original Parts Group

Light-Truck Accessory Alliance (TORA)
Anne Johnson - California Truck Works
Gary Long - California Truck Works
Dave Madison - TAG Leer
Tim Watts - Superlift Suspension

Manufacturers' Rep Council (MRC)
Joel Rosenthal - Gannt - Thomas
Bill Perry - Bill Perry & Associates
Andrew Schroeder - Ben Murphey & Associates
Danny Moniz - Volant Performance

Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)
Larry Riggle - Webasto Product North America
Kerry Howton - Arizona Sun Tops
Bob West - Westin Automotive Products
John LaBare - Westin Automotive Products

SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN)
Luanne Brown - eTool Developers LLC
S. Kellie Colf - Eaton Detroit Springs
Tammy Holland - Comp Performance Group
Don Colf - Eaton Detroit Springs

Young Executives Network (YEN)
Jason Bruce - Street Scene Equipment
Laurel Dasher - Uni-Marketing LLC
Lance Packard - Painless Performance
Dave Williams - Rampage Products

The TORA "SAC" Team
Ron DiVincenzo - Cap World
Kelly Kneifl - Truxedo by Shur-Co Automotive
Charlie Holden - Cap World
Todd Yeoman - American Technology Components

Even if you don't play golf, it's easy to support your favorite council by making a charitable pledge online. Click here to pledge anywhere from $10–$100 or the amount of your choice.

NASCAR event packages, tickets to "O" at the Bellagio, a new Cannondale Cyclocross road bike and a new 2008 Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy, donated by Harley-Davidson, Vance & Hines and COMP Performance, are among the great items up for bid at the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser.

In addition to its charity golf tournament, the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser supported by DUB magazine and Hot Wheels presented by Advanstar will feature a silent auction to benefit the Petty Victory Junction Gang Camp and Childhelp children's charities. Other items up for auction include exotic resort and cruise vacations, one-of-a-kind prints and photography, performance driving-school certificates and NASCAR collectibles.

The Gala Auction begins at 6 p.m., Friday, July 27, at the Hyatt Regency Irvine in Irvine, California.

If you would like to donate an item for the Silent Auction, please visit: http://www.sema.org/images/pdf/gala_silent_auction.pdf.

Items currently entered in the Gala Auction:

2008 Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy motorcycle, donated by Harley-Davidson, Vance & Hines and COMP Performance

Cannondale Cyclocross special edition road bicycle, donated by Cannondale (bike shown is only an example of Cyclocross series)




Two-night stay for (2) couples at Cibolo Creek Ranch, near Big Bend National Park, Texas, donated by Cibolo Creek Ranch

Jeff Gordon-signed mini hood, donated by Joel Ayres

 

'32 75th Anniversary Roadster Pedal Car, donated by Warehouse 36

Framed watercolor print "Caravan Stop," donated by Dana Forrester Automotive Art

RR-56 Brute Race Ramps, donated by Brute Industries

The Shadow, Volumes 1–8, with original art, covers and illustrations, donated by Nostalgia Ventures

Skateboard hand-painted with SEMA logo

How to Wire Your Hot Rod, autographed and donated by author Dennis Overholser

NASCAR jacket (size XXL), donated by Dennis Overholser

Large Giclee canvas piece by Bruce Kaiser, donated by Hot Rod Heritage

Tony Stewart autographed side panel, donated by Victory Junction Gang Camp

Full-page ad in Restyling Magazine, donated by Restyling Magazine

Tour of the National Corvette Museum, Bowling Green, Kentucky donated by Carl Sheffer

Garmin Nuvi 350 Personal Travel Assistant GPS receiver, donated by Lokar Performance Products

2007 Master’s Pin Flag signed by Fuzzy Zoeller donated by Tommy Daniels

2007 Master’s Pin Flag signed by Ben Crenshaw donated by Tommy Daniels

Framed photo of the 12th hole, Master’s Tournament, Augusta, Georgia, donated by Tommy Daniels

 

Framed photo of the 13th hole, Master’s Tournament, Augusta, Georgia, donated by Tommy Daniels

2008 SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals VIP Package, including air, hotel, tickets and parking for two, donated by Summit Racing Equipment

Philip Stein ladies watch donated by Diane and Peter MacGillivray

 

Kyle Petty’s 2006 Charity Ride jacket, donated by Jeff Kelderman, Kelderman Air Ride

 

Three certificates for two-day Grand Prix Specialty Driving Course at Bob Bondurant’s School of Performance, donated by Ira Gabriel, Primedia.

“Backstage” Dinner for 10 at the 2007 SEMA Show Industry Banquet

Get Your Empties First at the 2007 SEMA Show certificate (Mobile Electronics Hall, Racing & Performance Hall, Wheel & Tire Hall)

VIP Parking at the 2007 SEMA Show certificate (2)

 

Marriott gift basket certificate, donated by Experient

$500 towards a reception in a SEMA Show booth, donated by Aramark

-Two tickets to “O” at the Bellagio, donated by the Bellagio Hotel & Casino

-Audio/visual services to be provided in a booth/meeting room at the 2007 SEMA Show, donated by AVW-Telav

-’32 Ford Deuce book signed and donated by author Tony Thacker

-Front wheel from former BAR Honda Formula 1 car donated by Tony Thacker

-Vintage-style NHRA tin sign autographed by Wally Parks, donated by the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

-Vintage-style tin sign for Wally’s Fuel & Gas autographed by Wally Parks, donated by the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

-Vintage-style NHRA wool jacket autographed by Wally Parks, donated by the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

-COGApa Automotive PA Systems (2 pieces), donated by COGApa

-Deluxe Kreepstool AT (aluminum frame deluxe rolling stool), donated by 4Teck

-Philip Stein Tesler Technology Ladies Watch donated by Anne Johnson

-Signed print of Chili’s Little Deuce Coupe

-Barrett-Jackson Fundraiser and Auction tickets, donated by Childhelp

-(2) Power Wheels Ford Mustang, donated by Mattel

-NASCAR Nextel Cup package and NASCAR Family Album. Includes (2) tickets, (2) "cold" race credentials, and (2) Southwest Airlines tickets. Donated by NASCAR

-Richard Petty Shadow Box, donated by Victory Junction Gang Camp

-Kyle Petty-signed Hot Wheels print

-Richard and Kyle Petty-signed Victory Junction Gang Camp race helmet, donated by Victory Junction Gang Camp

-Bobby Labonte-signed leather jacket, donated by Victory Junction

-Tony Stewart-signed side panel, donated by Victory Junction

-Kevin Harvick-signed diecast, donated by Victory Junction

-Watch from JCK/Peter Frigeri-Expoease

-Artwork, four pictures framed, donated by Childhelp

-Limited edition Giclee print "Hurryin Back" w/ laser-etched plaque, donated by Dwayne Vance

-Limited edition Giclee print "Mission Over," donated by Dwayne Vance

-Maui Jim sunglasses (non-prescription), donated by Joel Ayres

-(3) Superchips Flashpaq tuners (Chevy, Ford, Dodge), signed by respective automakers NASCAR Nextel Cup team owners

-Byerly Legacy wakeboard and boots, donated by Byerly

-Opportunity to participate in production of Overhaulin' finale episode at the 2007 SEMA Show

-Round of golf for four at Las Posas Country Club, includes carts, donated by Las Posas Country Club

-(7) nights at a condo in Mammoth, California, donated by Tom Marx

-(2) domestic round-trip airline tickets on United Airlines (blackout dates apply), donated by Experient

-Seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise with a balcony room. Ports of call include Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas (departs 9/30/07), donated by Patrick Judge, Keystone Automotive Operations

3-day/2-night deluxe accommodations at Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, donated by Planet Hollywood

3-day/2-night one-bedroom suite at the Hilton Grand, Las Vegas Strip, donated by Hilton Grand Vacations Las Vegas

3-day/2-night MGM Grand and Signature package including bungalow suite accommodations, limo transfer between airport and hotel and two tickets to Cirque Du Soliel’s “KA,” donated by MGM Grand Hotel and Casino

3-day/2-night package at the Las Vegas Hilton, including deluxe room and dinner for two at Benihana Village, donated by the Las Vegas Hilton

3-day/2-night stay at Circus Circus, donated by Circus Circus

3-day/2-night stay at Excalibur Hotel and two tickets to "Tournament of Kings" show, donated by Excalibur

2-night VIP accommodations at the Westin Casuarina, donated by the Westin Casuarina

3-day/2-night stay at Hooter’s Casino, including deluxe room and dinner for two at Hooter’s restaurant, donated by Hooters Casino Hotel

-3-day/2 night Imperial Palace package, including free bottle of champagne, "Legends" concert tickets w/one cocktail, Emperor’s Buffet and admission to IP Auto Collection, donated by Imperial Palace

-3-day/2 night stay at Sahara Hotel and dinner for two at Paco’s Mexican restaurant, donated by Sahara Hotel & Casino

More exciting auction items are being added daily. Stay tuned to your weekly eNews update to view the latest additions to the auction lineup.

Upfitter Integration, on behalf of General Motors Vehicle Engineering and GM Fleet & Commercial Operations, is extending an invitation to SEMA Manufacturer members to attend a product review for the 2008 Express/Savana vans and cut chassis, August 21 and 22, at the Wentzville Assembly Center in Wentzville, Missouri.

Discussions on product changes for the 2008 model year G van and G cutaway chassis, as well as the introduction of the 2009 model year G Cutaway Commercial Chassis (14,050 GVW; gas and diesel), will anchor the session agenda.

Upfitter has a complete program scheduled, including a plant tour for those who wish and a reception/dinner at Bear Creek Country Club on August 21.

The following day registration and continental breakfast at the Wentzville Assembly Center begins at 7:30 a.m., with product presentations, walk around, and wrap-up Q&A to follow. Lunch will be provided, and the meeting is expected to conclude by 2:30 p.m.
 
"Business casual" attire is requested, and due to the size of this preview, attendance is limited to the first 200 requests per advance registration, with only (2) persons per company allowed. A confirmation letter with a complete detailed package (maps, agenda, hotel recommendations) will be e-mailed upon receipt of registration form.

All attendees are required by General Motors to sign a confidentiality statement (click here) and please be aware that cameras, video cameras, tape recorders or recording devices of any kind are prohibited inside the facility. This includes camera cell phones.

Due to the sensitive nature of this preview, all attendees are required to provide photo identification at the registration desk. Completed registration forms for each attendee should be faxed to 586/492-1085 and responses must be received no later than August 10, 2007.

Any questions, please contact:
Norma Muriel - 586/492-4982
Tom Vaclavik – 586/492-2331

Save The World Air, Inc. today announced that Charles (Chuck) Blum, former head of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), has assumed the positions of President and Chief Executive Officer of the company, effective today.

Mr. Blum served as President and Chief Executive Officer of SEMA from July 1980 to July 2002. During Mr. Blum's tenure, SEMA grew from 500 members to 6,500 members, and produces the largest automotive aftermarket industry trade show in the United States, attended by 130,000 trade visitors annually. Since retiring from SEMA, Mr. Blum has served as a consultant to various businesses.

Chairman of the Board Joseph Helleis commented, "Chuck was the clear-cut choice of our Board to move forward. He brings to our company a depth of knowledge of the automotive specialty parts industry that is almost unmatched, to which his more than 20 years as head of SEMA attests."

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Blum said, "I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead. We must get the word out effectively about our unique technologies, sell our products, and at the same time continue to fund the company adequately in order to meet our obligations. All of this will not happen overnight, so I ask for patience from our loyal stockholders and others. I look forward to working with a dedicated team to get this company back on track."

Save the World Air, Inc. is currently engaged in the product development, initial sales and marketing of products using proprietary technologies that can be installed on motor vehicles, motorcycles and stationary engines to reduce harmful emissions caused by internal combustion engines, as well as improve fuel efficiency and/or improve performance. These products include the ECOChargR ™, MAGChargR ™ and CAT-MATE®.

For more information, visit www.stwa.com.

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