Filler for eNews

Filler for eNews

John Waraniak, SEMA vice president of vehicle technology, will join Brett Smith, assistant director of manufacturing, engineering and technology for the Center for Automotive Research; Nancy Philippart, executive director of GM Accessories Business Channel of General Motors Corp.; Michael Chetcuti, CEO of Quality Metalcraft Inc. and principal for Streetcar USA; Mike O’Brien, corporate manager product planning for Toyota Motor Sales USA; Beau Boeckmann, president for Galpin Auto Sports and vice president for Galpin Motors; and George Dettloff, CEO and president for SKF North America, to present “Designing for Customization” during the 2007 Management Briefing Seminars, set for August 6–10, in Traverse City, Michigan.

The session, “Designing for Customization,” organized by Waraniak and supported by SEMA, will provide insight about how leading companies are applying design for customization and accessorization (DFC/A) to meet the increasing demand for differentiation, while maintaining high-volume profitability.

As OEMs are looking for products, processes and partners to help them create and launch the most accessory-friendly vehicles for fragmenting markets—in order to drive increased profits—the future of aftermarket suppliers is all about the micro-niche delivering, fully integrated customization while significantly reducing capital investment for tooling and time to profit. However, it takes a new manufacturing, marketing and production mind-set to make it work.

“Designing for Customization,” will include presentations from OEMs and SEMA suppliers that highlight how successful programs achieve this balance and will present a forum for the OEMs to showcase some of their more creative programs to the traditional supplier and automotive press community. SEMA-member companies participating in the session include Kicker, Quality Metalcraft Inc., Skyjacker and SKF; OEMs include Toyota and General Motors.

Key points that will be included and reinforced with examples from presenters are:

• Speed to market and profit with the right formula is essential to successfully delivering high-demand vehicles, modules and systems.
  
  
• Leveraging the creativity of suppliers with strong brands and authentically sharing brand equity and identity as the vehicles come to market is critical.

This session and others will be featured in the 2007 Management Briefing Seminars, a week of educational sessions and networking with high-level executives from the automotive industry. For complete information and a list of additional confirmed participants, visit http://www.cargroup.org/mbs2006/index.html.

The following photos and information are courtesy of the spy shooters at Brenda Priddy & Company 

Spies were in force at the Nurburgring while Lexus once again pulled out its V10-powered 500-plus-horsepower supercar. This time, the LF-A was wearing less camouflage and likely more production-like styling details than ever before.

We expect to see even more of the LF-A at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show.

NEWS NUGGETS

TEAM MOPAR DRIVERS TO KICK OFF DENVER EVENT IN RUBBER RAFT RACE: According to Team Mopar, Gary Scelzi, Richie Stevens Jr., Allen Johnson and Ron Capps will trade in their Hemi power for hydro power in a four-way rubber raft competition down Clear Creek in Golden, Colorado, in what’s bound to become a historic quest for the Clear Creek Cup. The “Mopar Rumble in the Rapids” begins at 6:30 p.m. during the Mopar Block Party on July 12, held annually in the streets of Golden, Colorado, to preview the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado. The event also features a live band, an autograph session and a car show.

PARKS HEADLINES ‘LEGENDS OF THUNDER VALLEY’ INDUCTEES IN BRISTOL, TENNESSEE: NHRA founder Wally Parks; Larry Carrier, builder of Bristol Dragway; “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, a drag racing legend; and Rickie Smith, the winningest driver in Bristol, were selected as the inaugural class of inductees into the Legends of Thunder Valley during the O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals last weekend.

FORMER OLYMPIAN, BAZEMORE BACK ‘LARRY RIDES AMERICA’ CANCER RIDE: Gold and silver Olympic medalist Marty Nothstein, driver of the Texas Roadhouse Top Alcohol Funny Car, and Whit Bazemore, pilot of the Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster, have signed on to support former COO of O’Reilly Auto Parts Larry O’Reilly’s 4,500-mile ride from Astoria, Oregon to Yorktown, Virginia that he began April 30. His goal is to raise $250,000 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks. Bazemore and Nothstein each pledged $250 to O’Reilly.

FANS INVITED TO ICE CREAM SOCIAL, MEDLEN TRIBUTE DINNER IN SAN FRANCISCO: Infineon Raceway will host the inaugural “Eric Medlen Ice Cream Social” courtesy of Dreyer’s Ice Cream, after the final round of the Fram-Autolite NHRA Nationals on July 29. Race fans will be invited onto the Raceway’s road-course surface for the social, a celebration of Medlen’s life and many contributions. They will be encouraged to make donations to the Infineon Raceway Eric Medlen Scholarship Fund which will be awarded annually to an Infineon Raceway high school bracket drag racer. Race fans are also invited to meet four of the top drivers of the NHRA POWERade Series while the sport and Infineon Raceway pay tribute to one of their own at the ‘Eric Medlen Nitro Night at the Fior’ in San Francisco’s North Beach. The event, featuring host Bob Frey and drivers Ron Capps, Robert Hight, Gary Scelzi and Cory McClenathan, begins at 6:30 p.m. on July 26 at Fior d’Italia Restaurant. Cost is $125 per person, with proceeds benefiting Speedway Children’s Charities. Seating is limited.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

MOPAR MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS, DENVER, BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY, JULY 13–15: The 13th stop on the 23-race schedule, Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle drivers will head to the “Mile-High” city to compete in the fourth of a “six races, six weeks” schedule. Defending event winners include J.R. Todd, Gary Scelzi, Dave Connolly and Andrew Hines.

LAS VEGAS NHRA SPORT-COMPACT NATIONALS, THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, JULY 13–14: The mid-season race in Las Vegas for the NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series is sure to provide some exciting night racing when the drivers race The Strip.

SCHUCK’S AUTO SUPPLY NHRA NATIONALS, PACIFIC RACEWAYS, JULY 20–22: This fifth race in the string of six-in-six-weeks was traditionally the second stop of the legendary Western Swing. It’s sure to be an emotional one for Brandon Bernstein, who shared the winner’s circle with his friend, the late Eric Medlen, here in 2005.

FRAM-AUTOLITE NHRA NATIONALS, INFINEON RACEWAY, JULY 27–29: A favorite with the POWERade Series for its scenic local and Northern California weather, this event will be the last in the six-in-six-weeks stretch, the anchor of the longest stretch of back-to-back races in NHRA history.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

5: Number of races left in the regular season before the first cutoff for the “Countdown to the Championship.” After the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals in Reading, Pennsylvania, the top eight in each professional category will be set and only those drivers will vie for 2007 POWERade Series world championships.

DRIVERS TELL ALL

JOHN FORCE, on his first win of the season: “At the beginning of the day, I did a bunch of apologizing to all my guys for being such a jerk. I told them I was just sorry for the way I’ve been. Then I said to Eric, ‘Eric, it’s time to forgive me and let’s get our stuff together and win you a race.’ I mean, the greatest kid in the world was Eric Medlen. Heart as big as Tennessee. I didn’t think I ever was gonna get the win for him, but this trophy is going to go to his dad and it’s gonna go to a place for Eric Medlen because he was our heart and he still is.”

For more information, www.nhra.com.

FAILED: Mario Andretti said, “I almost cried,” when he learned that the meeting he had arranged between Indy Racing League head Tony George and Champ Car’s  Kevin Kalkhoven was cancelled at the last minute. Andretti says both Champ Car and IRL leaders “are in denial” of the challenges facing their respective series.

NEW NAME: For the third time in six years NASCAR’s premier stock-car series will undergo a name change. The change comes as the result of the merger between Sprint and Nextel. The Nextel Cup Series will be known as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series beginning in 2008.

ON TOP: Jamie McMurray defeated Kyle Busch by mere inches to win his first NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race in 166 starts Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway.

BIGGER AUDIENCE: The Rolex Grand American Road Racing Championship reports a 10% increase in attendance at its events this season.

A CLUB: In part to help ensure the future of the historic road course, Lime Rock Park officials have created The Club at Lime Rock Park, offering memberships for $100,000 each. The membership will offer individuals exclusive track time, while the funds will be used to preserve and improve the 50-year-old facility.

NEW SITE: National Speed Sport News will debut its redesigned website on July 25. While the site will still offer the same password-protected information for subscribers that is offered in the hard copy of the nation’s oldest auto-racing publication, it will also offer daily news stories and features, along with reader interaction.

TOP RUNG: Indy Racing League IndyCar Series point leader Dario Franchitti remained at the top of the National Speed Sport News Power Rankings. Franchitti finished third at Watkins Glen International. World of Outlaws point leader Donny Schatz jumped to second in the standings after a victory and a runner-up finish in two races over the weekend.

SUBSCRIBE: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. To subscribe to National Speed Sport News, click on the following link for a special industry rate: http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/subscribe.html?pid=NQ%2BVfhkepT4%3D.

The latest news from SEMA councils and committees:

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

• The HRIA welcomes the newest select committee members Eric Saltrick of Steele Rubber Products and Mike Kinney of Las Vegas Rod & Custom.  These gentlemen join the re-elected select committee members: Del Austin – Street Thunder Magazine, Tommy Daniels – Yearwood Speed & Custom, Rick Love – Vintage Air, and Ross Ortman – Dakota Digital.
  
   
• HRIA Open General Membership Meeting
  Thursday, July 12, 2007
  3 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
  Ohio Expo Center – Ohio Building
  Columbus, Ohio

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

 SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN)

• 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.
  
• The SBN would like to congratulate the following newly elected SBN Select Committee members:  

Newly Elected SBN Select Committee Members

• Emily Bailey, Racemark International
• Melissa Lawrence, Power TV Media
• Nancy Loetfering, TD3 Products
• Marla Moore, Hypertech Inc. (Incumbent)
• Kristy Neukam, Meyer Distributing
• Linn Remling Mills, Street Thunder magazine
• Kathryn Wakeford, TEN magazine
• Trina Wilson, Direct Communications

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

Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)

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

Light-Truck Accessory Alliance (TORA)

• Kelly Kneifl, Division Manager, Automotive Accessories at Shur-Co, has been elected by the TORA Select Committee to serve as council chair-elect.  Kelly, a member of the select committee, will serve starting July 1st as chair-elect, for two years prior to assuming the role of chairman. He will serve alongside incoming Chairman Ron DiVincenzo, Cap World. Former Chairman Todd Yeoman will remain on the select committee in an advisory capacity as chairman emeritus.
  
• 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 Will Woods at willw@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 Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

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

Manufacturers' Representatives Council (MRC)

• MRC members should mark their calendars for the following upcoming council activity:
  
  
  2007 MRC Rep Conference
  September 26–27, 2007
  Phoenix, Arizona

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

Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)

• The votes have been tabulated, and PRO welcomes four incumbents and four newcomers to the council's select committee. Incumbents include Bill North, Webasto Product N.A.; Ray Ott, Auto Trim Design of Cleveland East; Karl Stearns, Auto Trim International; and Bob West, Westin Automotive Products. The newly elected members are Jeff Fink, Advantage Truck Accessories; Doug Jacobs, Restyler's Choice; Joey Johnston, Tops & Trends; and Scott Wolin, AC Wolin Group.
  

• The PRO Select Committee has chosen Karl Stearns, vice president of sales and marketing for Auto Trim International, to serve as council chair-elect. A member of the select committee, Stearns will serve as chair-elect for two years prior to assuming the role of chairman. He will serve alongside incoming Chairman Chuck Blum of Chuck Blum Consulting. Former Chairman BJ Leanse will remain on board in an advisory capacity as chairman emeritus.

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

Sport-Compact Council (SCC)

• Tracie Nuñez, Advanced Clutch Technology, was elected chairman-elect of the SCC. Nuñez began her role on July 1, when current chairman-elect, Eric Breslow, Power Slot/Power Performance Group, took over as SCC chairman.

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

Wheel & Tire Council (WTC)

• George Gillespie, Safety Compliance Engineer responsible for OVSCs tire-related standards, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), delivered a presentation at the 2006 SEMA Show regarding NHTSA's enforcement activity relative to tires for passenger vehicles and trucks. Gillespie provided overview and status of the agency's recent initiatives to increase tire safety, including compliance and enforcement actions for Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (FMVSS No. 138) and passenger and light-truck tires (FMVSS No. 139). He also discussed the current increased enforcement to address concerns related to imported tires. SEMA members can now get a copy of Gillespie's PowerPoint presentation by contacting Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112 or paulm@sema.org.

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

Young Executives Network (YEN)

• The annual SEMA Show Silent Auction, hosted by the YEN, raised more than $70,000 for the SEMA Scholarship Fund in 2006. If you are interested in donating an item or becoming involved in the 2007 Silent Auction, visit the YEN website at www.sema.org/yen.
  
  
• YEN has more than 500 members networking in the industry and is the largest SEMA committee. If you are employed by a SEMA-member company and are under the age of 39, then you can join the YEN for free. If you are interested in becoming part of the team, visit the YEN website at www.sema.org/yen.
  
  
• Bianca Hennings, Window Canvas, was selected for the YEN Silent Auction Task Force Chairman. Hennings will assume the position when the current chairman, Dave Williams, Rampage Products, finishes his term with the YEN Select Committee in July. The SEMA Silent Auction, that is managed by the YEN, has raised more than $100,000 for the SEMA Scholarship Fund in the past three years. If you are interested in participating in the SEMA Silent Auction on any level, visit www.sema.org/yen for additional information.
  
  
• Did you know that YEN sponsors networking events and mixers at most of the major trade shows and conferences? If you are interested in becoming a member of the SEMA Young Executive’s Network, please visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.
  
  
• Lance Packard, Painless Performance, was elected YEN chairman-elect. Packard will assume the position when current chair-elect, Laurel Dasher, Uni-Marketing LLC, takes over as YEN chairman on July 1.
  
  
• 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.

CTS Corp. named Mathew Long as interim chief financial officer. Long replaces Vinod Khilnani, who was elected president and chief executive officer for the company. Long has been with CTS Corp. since ’96.

DURA Automotive Systems entered into an asset purchase agreement with Atwood Acquisition Co. LLC for the sale of DURA's Atwood Mobile Products division. The agreement provides for the acquisition of Atwood Mobile Products for an aggregate cash consideration of $160.2 million. Atwood offers a broad range of products to the recreation vehicle, specialty vehicle and manufactured housing markets.

Morse Automotive hired Mark Phipps as vice president of research and development. Phipps will oversee research and development for the company in the United States as well as Morse’s facilities in Mexico and China.

Metaldyne’s Powertrain Products Group named Bob DeFauw as its vice president and general manager. DeFauw will oversee operations in Hamburg, Michigan; Middleville, Michigan; Fremont, Indiana; Bluffton, Indiana; Niles, Illinois; Twinsburg, Ohio; Pyeongtaek, S. Korea and its technical center in Solon, Ohio. DeFauw was most recently vice president and general manager of Metaldyne's Vibration Control Products.

CORSA Performance hired James Barnes as outside sales representative. In addition to managing existing accounts, Barnes will work to build sales of the company’s exhaust systems among WDs, wholesalers, retailers and installers.

 
                                         James Barnes

ConvExx announced that Jeff Pressman has been promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer. ConvExx is a full-service show and event production company.  
 
Fidanza announced that it joined the Karagiannis Racing team as an associate sponsor. Karagiannis Racing, represented by driver and team owner Demetrios Karagiannis, competes in NHRA Sport Compact and NOPI Drag Racing Association (NDRA) competition.

Filler for eNews

Automotive professionals from throughout Latin America will be converging at PAACE Automechanika Mexico, July 11–13, 2007, in Mexico City. Among the highlights of the trade show, which features more than 500 exhibitors from 20 countries, is a special section called Salon de SEMA. Developed to help SEMA members maximize exposure and capitalize on the opportunities in the Latin American market, Salon de SEMA includes 35 eye-catching project vehicles, a collection of beautifully restored classic cars and Adrienne Janic, known by many as AJ from the TLC hit show “Overhaulin’.”

“More and more U.S. manufacturers are looking to increase business overseas,” said Linda Spencer, SEMA director of international relations. “Whether they are experienced with international business or just starting out, Mexico is an ideal place to target.” The 2007 PAACE Automechanika show will include 50 SEMA members, highlighting automotive wheels, performance parts, graphics, styling kits and more.

“Mexico is an ideal place for automotive specialty-equipment manufacturers to consider,” said SEMA International Task Force Chairman Wade Kawasaki. “Thanks to economic stability and a growing middle class, demand for automotive specialty products in Mexico is at an all-time high."

SEMA found that exhibitors from the 2006 show identified Mexico as one of the top countries from which they hope to develop new contacts. In a survey of more than 2,000 exhibitors, 80% indicated that attracting new buyers from Mexico is an important reason for their participation in the trade-only event. The association notes that the specialty products market in Mexico will soon top $1.5 billion.