Rapid solidification rate (RSR) technology enables production of fine-grained (nanometer-scale) and amorphous metals with uniform chemistry. These unique microstructures result from very high cooling rates that are unattainable through gas atomization or other methods. Ervin Industries has developed a rapid-solidification powder technology that is capable of producing high-purity, fine-grained or amorphous particles in the size range from 10 to 1200 micrometers with highly spherical morphology.

This technology is used to produce high temperature "super alloys" (maximum of 3,000 degrees F) for use in aerospace and commercial applications, the company says. They also note that the particles can be processed in multiple atmospheres including air, helium, nitrogen or vacuum. In addition to this, the company notes the following benefits:

* It is capable of producing both metal and ceramic powders with a theoretical packing density of 65%.
* It has a melt size capable from development batch to production sizes-75 lbs. to 6,000 lbs.
* It is directly converted from "melt" to powder, which results in minimal post processing and reduced exposure to potential contamination sources.
* The process is chemistry controlled, ensured by use of high-quality precursors, which produces spherical powder with fewer attached particles than other methods, resulting in better powder flow.

This technology may have benefits in the specialty-equipment industry as companies look for new materials to manufacture their products. Ervin Industries is looking to license its new RSR technology, and more information can be found on the company's website, www.ervinindustries.com/metalparticles.htm.

Source: Yet2.com. "Rapidly Solidified, Spherical Powder Production Technology." Retrieved May 23, 2007 from www.yet2.com.

Consumers turn to the Internet to research the cars and trucks they plan to buy. Roughly one in five (21%) new-car buyers say that the Internet influences their vehicle-buying decision, according to SEMA data. Cars.com, an automotive research website for new vehicle buyers, recently advised consumers of its top vehicle picks based on overall cost of the vehicle: fuel economy combined with sticker price.

More car shoppers are making fuel efficiency a top priority, according to Cars.com. They say that while gas mileage typically takes center stage, combining the sticker price of a car with its predicted lifetime fuel cost can offer consumers a guide to their overall savings during the lifetime of a car. As a result, Cars.com looked at the top 10 vehicles in various vehicle segments that they say deliver the best bang for the buck based on vehicle price and average lifetime fuel costs.



The list above was compiled by combining the base sticker price with a fuel cost estimate based on the car's estimated gas mileage. Fuel-cost estimates assume the car will be driven 15,000 miles per year, with 45% of those miles on the highway and 55% on city streets. The cost of regular unleaded gasoline in the estimate is $3.13 per gallon, and it assumes the car is owned for eight years. Premium fuel costs are estimated at $3.44 per gallon.

"Hybrid cars get a lot of attention when gas prices start to rise. They certainly can save money at the pump and are typically better for the environment," said Patrick Olsen, Cars.com managing editor. "However, not everyone can afford to own a hybrid, and some consumers have needs that are not met by hybrids. If your primary goal is to save money, there may be better options."

Sources: Cars.com. (May 22, 2007). "With Gas Prices Skyrocketing, Cars.com Identifies Cars that Deliver Best Bang for Your Buck." Cars.com press release courtesy of PR Newswire; 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 in order to gauge their specialty-equipment purchase intentions over the next three months. Their nationally representative sample of 1,000 consumers-which represents approximately 114 million U.S. households-showed a drop in the number of consumers planning on purchasing specialty equipment over the next three months.





In May 2007, 21% of adult American drivers (or approximately 21 million households) indicated that they had plans to purchase specialty-equipment, a 4% increase from April. By product, wheels, tires and suspension components were the most popular specialty-equipment products consumers were likely to purchase (16% or 16 million households), followed by specialty accessories and appearance products (9% or 9 million households) and racing and performance 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 a third 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 above, notice that the percentage of consumers planning to make a purchase has risen in some cases (as indicated by the +/- in parenthesis).



The graphs above and below show three-month moving averages of the types of vehicles marked for accessorization and the preferred distribution channels for purchase of those surveyed. For example, the top bar in each bar cluster represents the average over the last three months whereas the bottom bar represents the average over the first three months of 2007.




Mid-sized vehicles were the most common target vehicles for enhancement or modification (19%), followed by compact cars (18%) and trucks (16%). However, the current three-month moving average of each of these is 22%, 14% and 17%, respectively. We see differences in this month's percentages compared to the current three-month moving average for preferred distribution channels as well. This month, car dealerships were the most popular purchase destination among those planning to enhance their vehicles (31%), while chain auto-parts stores captured second place (25%) and independent parts stores held third (13%), but the current three-month moving averages are 25%, 27% and 16%, respectively.

Source: SEMA Research & Information Center

A new Mercedes-Benz B-class small car could enter the U.S. market as early as 2011, according to a recent AutoWeek article. The automaker said that if they were to bring the B-class here, it would be the next generation model due in 2011. The article also noted that Mercedes may bring an SUV smaller that the M-class to the United States as well.

Ernst Lieb, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, commented that with rising gas prices and a move to smaller passenger cars, the B-class could have potential in the U.S. market. However, the article notes that a decision isn't likely to be made anytime soon because the automaker plans to focus on the next- generation C-class that will hit dealerships this summer. Lieb says that Mercedes is still determining whether its buyers are truly interested in the B-class.

"Today when I talk to customers, I really wonder if they are ready for a small car," he said. "Younger customers who have been in Europe and driven the car as a rental car are very open to it. The more traditional Mercedes customer is a little hesitant."


Mercedes planned on bringing the B-class to the United States in 2006, but discontinued its plans due to unfavorable currency exchange rates. The car would have been priced under $26,000, and the current model (shown in the picture above) that is now on sale in Europe is 10 inches shorter than the C-class sedan. Lieb also said that their plan to bring in a small SUV depends on whether the company can competitively price it for the U.S. market.

Source: Kurkylko, Diana. (May 21, 2007). "Baby Benz: Mercedes Considers Bringing B Class to United States" AutoWeek. Retrieved May 23, 2007 from www.autoweek.com.

TRW Automotive recently unveiled its Electrically Powered Steering (EPS) Belt Drive system that will launch on North American models in 2008, according to a TRW Automotive press release.

Belt-drive steering technology, also referred to as "rack drive," brings the fuel efficiency and carbon-dioxide reduction benefits of an electric steering system to higher rack load vehicles as compared to TRW's current Column Drive EPS system, already launched on more than 30 vehicle models, the company notes. As with all TRW electromechanical steering systems, the Belt Drive system only consumes noticeable power when steering assist is needed, providing considerable fuel-consumption benefits and reduced CO2 emissions.

As the name implies, the EPS system requires no hydraulic pump, hoses or fluid. The assist power is applied directly to the rack with a belt and ball-nut mechanism. In addition, the energy consumption of an EPS system is just 10% of a conventional hydraulic power steering (HPS) system as power assist engages only when needed, helping to improve fuel economy of an EPS-equipped vehicle.

TRW's EPS Belt Drive system can provide premium performance across a wide range of vehicle platforms with rack assist forces of 11 kilonewtons (kN), the company says. Power assist is applied directly to the rack allowing for a responsive, low- inertia, low-friction steering system with a direct-steering feel.




Dr. Aly Badawy, vice president engineering, steering and suspension, said: "The product is delivered as a fully tested, ready-to-install unit, and all steering belt, pulley, pump, reservoir and hydraulic lines are eliminated, making the product easy to install and maintain."

"The Belt Drive EPS system can be programmed with steering-assist functions in line with vehicle manufacturer's requirements; options include speed sensitive, positive and responsive steering feel and the possibility for vehicle manufacturers to fine-tune the steering characteristics. And with a Belt Drive system, these benefits are now available for small- and medium-size sport-utility vehicles, minivans and light trucks."


Source: TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (May 22, 2007). "TRW Automotive To Launch Belt Drive Electrically Powered Steering in North America & Europe." TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. Press release courtesy of PR Newswire.

SEMA is writing a report on the Chinese specialty-equipment market. If you are selling in China and would like to be featured in the report, or if you offer a service to SEMA members seeking to sell in China, please let us know. We would love to interview you and include you in the report's list of resources. To participate, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

SEMA members, would you like to be notified when this free report is ready? Just email us at tradeleads@sema.org.

Seven hundred SEMA members receive free updates on the issues that impact the specialty-equipment industry on Capitol Hill, as well as how SEMA supports our congressional friend through the SEMA Political Action Committee.

Click here to get a copy of the sign-up form. In addition to this free newsletter, we will send you a customized printout regarding your member of Congress, where they stand on issues of importance to our industry, how many SEMA members are in your district and whether your representative is a member of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus.

Already signed a "prior approval" form (the technical name for the approval form allowing SEMA to contact you about the SEMA PAC)? To obtain your customized form regarding your representatives in Washington, e-mail semapac@sema.org.

Exhibit at the Salon de SEMA, a section of the Mexico-city based PAACE Automechanika show taking place July 11–13. In one week, you can display your products in front of thousands of buyers, be interviewed about your company and product on stage by AJ, co-host of the hit TV show "Overhaulin,'" meet with the key Mexican specialty-equipment press, and visit with the top distributors and buyers in that market. For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

How do you get your customers to buy more? Successful jobbers and retailers have discovered how to do just that when they offer their customers the CarCareOne card. Designed to help sell more products, it also offers help with raising your average sales price per customer. Mark your calendars now because this is a program you can't afford to miss.

SEMA-GE Money Car Care One Private Label
Thursday, June 21, 2007
10:00 a.m. (PST)

For information on how to attend the webinar, and for past webinar sessions, visit www.sema.org/webinar.

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