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 enables the employee to participate in webinars, access free market research, join SEMA committees and more. The newest classified listings posted under Positions Available include:?

• Marketing Coordinator, Phoenix, Arizona
• Design Engineer, Phoenix, Arizona
• General Manager, Southern California
• Tech Editor and Media Contact, El Paso, Texas
• Toolmaker/Jig and Fixture Builder, Torrance, California
  

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

Several sections of the SEMA.org website have direct links which allow members quick access to industry- and association-related information and services. Some of the information within the sites is reserved for SEMA members only. To learn more about the benefits of SEMA membership, e-mail member@sema.org.

The Fast Tracks to Industry Information and Resources

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General Motors announced that they are planning a production version of its well-received Chevrolet Volt concept, according to a recent AutoWeek article. GM says they are now working on the production engineering of the Volt concept, which will ride on the next-generation Delta platform. This will be the same platform the upcoming Cobalt or Astra small car will be built on. Two versions of the Volt will be put into production: one powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and the other will run on gasoline. The editors at AutoWeek report that the Volt could hit vehicle dealerships as early as 2010. However, GM says that suppliers need to produce a reliable lithium ion battery for the Volt in order to meet the 2010 release date. The Chevrolet Volt was showcased at both the Detroit and New York Auto Shows earlier this year, giving consumers a first-hand look at this future production car.

 


The upcoming Chevrolet Volt will be a low-volume production vehicle, GM says. The automaker indicates that the Volt will be a “series hybrid,” meaning that the vehicle’s wheels are turned by an electric motor that is powered by a battery pack. The battery pack is recharged by a small gasoline engine, which isn’t connected to the wheels. In addition, the battery pack will be rechargeable, so consumers will be able to plug it in to an electrical outlet for an overnight charge. This could mean that the Volt can drive up to 40 miles each day upon startup without using a single drop of gasoline.

A fuel-cell version of the Chevrolet Volt will primarily sell in China, according to the article, which will run on GM’s fifth generation fuel-cell small enough to fit into a conventional four-cylinder engine bay. The automaker also says that the same car can run on diesel or ethanol, depending on the market. 

Source: Truett, Richard and Lareau, Jamie. (May 7, 2007). “Prius Fighter: GM Commits to Volt Production.” AutoWeek. Retrieved May 10, 2007 from www.autoweek.com.

Blogs all over the Internet are buzzing about GM’s decision to offer two V6 engines in the new Saturn Vue midsize crossover, which will be available this summer. Both powerplants will be produced by General Motors. So what’s the big deal about that? Only the fact that the decision is ending an eight-year supply agreement with Honda Motor Co.

Just over half of the 290,000 Vues sold since 2004 have been outfitted with the Honda 3.5L V6. Featuring variable valve timing, the 24-valve OHC engine makes 248 hp and 242 lb.-ft. of torque.

For the 2008 Vue, taking the place of the Honda engine will be GM’s high feature 3.6L V6. The second-generation Vue will also be available with the 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder and the 3.5L pushrod V6.

With all of the Internet chatter taking place about this new development, it’s likely that consumers and enthusiasts alike will change their perception of the Saturn Vue. Since 2004, Saturn has given enthusiasts the more powerful Red Line version of the Vue, which comes with enhanced styling for the 2008 release.

The Saturn Vue’s Red Line adds bold styling with an aggressive front-end design, including a large, lower air opening and projector-beam fog lamps, according to Saturn. The rear of the vehicle features a special fascia, a spoiler and chrome exhaust tips. A lowered suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels and Red Line badges complete the performance-inspired appearance.

 


From a performance perspective, the Red Line comes with standard tap-up/tap-down transmission control and sport-tuned ride and handling. It is powered by a dual overhead cam 3.6L V6 VVT engine that delivers 250 horsepower (186 kW) at 6,500 rpm and 243 lb.-ft. (329 Nm) of torque at 4,400 rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The Vue Red Line will be available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Interior modifications include a Red-Line-only ebony interior, including black leather sport seats with suede fabric inserts. The vehicle also features Red-Line-logo instrument cluster graphics and embroidered floor mats.

The Vue Red Line will arrive in the third quarter of 2007.

Source: SEMA Research and Information Center

This story was originally published on May 16, 2007. For more industry news, visit SEMANews.com and subscribe to SEMA News at the bottom of the webpage to get the latest updates straight to your inbox, twice a week.

Nissan will offer enthusiasts a highly modified version of its popular sports car: the 2007 Nissan NISMO 350Z. This marks the first time the NISMO package is available for the 350Z. The automaker says that they’re capturing the level of an enthusiast that wants customization at the dealership, but with this, enthusiasts are also turning to the specialty-equipment industry for their custom parts and accessories. When automakers release custom versions of production vehicles, there are those enthusiasts that look to specialty-equipment companies to take these vehicles to the next level in customization. In fact, many specialty-equipment companies showed off custom Nissan 350Zs at the 2006 SEMA Show. There were a total of 15 of these cars on the Show floor, making it among the top ten car models at the SEMA Show.

The 2007 Nissan NISMO 350Z will come with both styling and performance upgrades. Featuring an aggressive front fascia with chin spoiler, side skirts, an extended rear fascia with underbody diffuser and a rear wing, the NISMO 350Z produces additional aerodynamic downforce to provide enhanced cornering and handling performance, Nissan says. The NISMO 350Z also utilizes body dampers mounted in the front radiator-core support and in the rear cargo area, which assist in controlling body vibrations.

Additional performance features include a special NISMO-tuned independent multi-link suspension, Brembo brakes with four-piston front and two-piston rear calipers (with 12.8-inch front and 12.7-inch rear rotors) and NISMO-branded gunmetal gray RAYS forged-alloy wheels (18x9-inch front and 19x10-inch rear with 245/40WR18 front, 265/35WR19 rear Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires). In addition, a NISMO-branded tuned exhaust adds to the performance of the 350Z’s 306-horsepower V6 engine.

 


The NISMO 350Z includes a full complement of 350Z standard features, including the new VQ35HR 3.5L V6 engine producing 306 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 268 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm—with more than 90% of torque available between 2,000 and 7,000 rpm. Engine features include variable exhaust cam timing (eCVTCS), a 7,500-rpm rev limit and a symmetric twin Ram Air intake system.
The standard six-speed manual transmission features close-ratio gearing from first through fifth gears for high-performance driving and an overdrive sixth speed for highway fuel economy. For performance handling, standard on the NISMO 350Z is a Traction Control System (TCS) and Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VLSD). Also standard is electronically controlled vehicle-speed-sensitive dual-orifice rack-and-pinion power-steering system, front and rear strut tower bracing, and four-wheel disc antilock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA).

The 2007 Nissan NISMO 350Z goes on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in July 2007. 

Sources: Nissan North America (March 28, 2007). “2007 Nissan NISMO 350Z Continues Tradition of Performance With Super GT Race-Inspired Styling and Features.” Nissan North America press release; SEMA Research and Information Center.

Honda says it will put a sleek hydrogen fuel-cell sedan into limited production next year and will sell a unique mass-market hybrid in the United States within two years. It will be priced less than the $25,000 Civic hybrid. At the 2007 North America International Auto Show in Detroit, Honda showed of a concept version of its next generation fuel-cell vehicle.

 

 


The automaker announced the vehicles at a Washington demonstration of prototypes of the FCX fuel-cell sedans it will offer in the United States next year.
 
According to a recent USA Today article, Honda is content with the viability of its fuel-cell car, and, as a result, is now concentrating on reducing the costs associated with fuel-cell vehicles and ensuring that a plentiful supply of hydrogen is available to its fuel-cell car users.
 
To this end, Honda is currently developing a “home energy centre” that would produce hydrogen for a fuel-cell car, as well as supply electricity for the home, although this product will not be ready in time to coincide with the fuel-cell sedan’s introduction.

General Motors also has promised 100 Chevrolet Equinox SUVs modified to run on fuel-cell power this year.

GM and Honda say their fuel-cell vehicles meet U.S. safety standards and have the same features as gasoline models.

 


Source: SEMA Research and Information Center

So how much money will consumers have in their pockets after purchasing a new vehicle? According to the “Auto Affordability Index” compiled by Comerica Bank, the purchase of an average-priced new vehicle took 24.7 weeks of median family income in the first quarter. This is down 1.5 weeks from the fourth quarter, and is also down 0.5 weeks compared to a year ago. This means that consumers have more discretionary income in their pockets to purchase specialty-equipment parts and accessories. 

Including finance charges, the total cost of buying an average-priced light vehicle was $28,200 in the first quarter, up 1.6% from a year ago. However, the median family income has increased 3.7% from a year ago, according to Comerica Bank. In others words, consumers have 2.1% more discretionary income after buying a new vehicle, assuming that all other expenditures are the same as last year.

 


“Consumers reacted to the sluggish economy, the rebound in gasoline prices and the softness in home prices by spending about $550 less per car than they did in the fourth quarter,” said Dana Johnson, senior vice president and chief economist at Comerica Bank. “That, along with the availability of more attractive financing rates, reversed somewhat more than half of the last quarter’s deterioration in affordability. With demand soft and the car companies fighting for market share, buyers were able to find pretty attractive deals on new cars in the first quarter.”

Source: Comerica Bank (May 9, 2007). “Auto Affordability Improves in the First Quarter, Comerica Bank Chief Economist Reports.” Comerica Bank Press Release courtesy of PR Newswire.

All buying decisions are made based on emotion, as are all decisions NOT to buy, according to Larry Merserearu—small business consultant, speaker and author in the field of marketing and promotion.

Emotions fall under two general categories: fear and greed. Almost any product can be advertised using either emotion. But if you really want to get your prospects’ interest, fear is the more powerful of the two.

Give your products and services some thought. What will be better about your prospects’ lives after they start using them? Will they be healthier, wealthier, wiser? That’s greed. They want to benefit that comes with using or owning your product. You arouse their interest by telling them how their life will be better.

What will they miss out on if they don’t buy? The more painful and dramatic you can make it, the more fear appeal you’ll arouse.

A landscaper selling lawn maintenance can promote the beautiful lawn the prospect will enjoy or talk about the misery of mowing and weeding their own lawn if they don’t buy. Talk about how much more golf and pool time they’ll enjoy, and you’re appealing to greed. Show a photo of an overgrown lawn full of dandelions, and you’re playing on fear.

The fear approach gives them a headache, and then offers your product or service as aspirin. People are more likely to be motivated to take fast action if it will alleviate perceived pain.

Greed motivation often takes longer to move people. That’s why direct-response advertisers like fear. They want to make their prospect pick up the phone immediately. If you want immediate response, start giving your prospects a headache.

Now, about the decision NOT to buy. If they fear that there is significant risk in buying, fear will make them say “no.” If they don’t see more value in the product or service than the cash they’ll have to part with to own it, greed will make them hang on to the cash.

For more information, go to http://promopower.com.

Source: Larry Mersereau (May 8, 2007). Fear vs. Greed. “Bringing In More Business…”(electronic newsletter).

Automakers continue to focus on new technologies that enhance driver safety. For example, electronic stability control is becoming more prevalent in the new vehicles released by the OEMs. In addition, automakers are now using electronically controlled suspensions to enhance consumers’ driving experience. For example, Tenneco Inc. recently announced that its Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension (CES) system is featured on the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class launched in Stuttgart earlier this year. The electronically controlled suspension system continuously adjusts to road conditions and driver’s actions, resulting in enhanced ride comfort and improved stability. The system enables Tenneco to tune vehicles to adapt to different driving factors, such as braking, accelerating, steering and vehicle load, which increases the range of ride comfort and handling capability.

Tenneco’s CES system continuously adjusts damping levels according to road conditions and vehicle dynamics. At the heart of the system is an electronic control unit (ECU) that processes driver inputs and data from sensors placed at key locations on the vehicle. The sensors include three accelerometers mounted on the vehicle body and four suspension position sensors, which provide data on steering-wheel angle, vehicle speed, brake pressure and other chassis control factors. The ECU utilizes control software that processes the sensor information in real time and sends signals that adjust independently the damping level of each shock-absorber valve. Electronic dampers allow a large range between maximum and minimum damping levels and adjust instantaneously to ensure ride comfort and firm vehicle control.

“We are very pleased to supply the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class with our electronic suspension technology,” said Gregg Sherrill, chairman and CEO, Tenneco. “Our commitment to customer collaboration—from development through systems integration, ride tuning, program management and launch—helps ensure that each vehicle equipped with our advanced suspension technology has unique ride and handling characteristics.”

Source: Tenneco Inc. (May 8, 2007). “Tenneco Launches Electronic Suspension System on the New Mercedes-Benz C-Class.” Tenneco Inc. press release courtesy of PR Newswire.

According to a recent Ward’s Auto article, German manufacturer ZF Friedrichshafen AG introduced a rear-wheel drive eight-speed automatic transmission at the International Vienna Motor Symposium.

The gearbox is “designed to improve fuel economy without sacrificing performance,” according to the article. It marks the industry’s second transmission to feature eight forward gears. The first was developed by Japan’s Aisin Group and is found in Toyota’s Lexus LS 460. The ZF transmission weighs the same and will fit in a similar space as a six-speed transmission.

The gearbox will feature what ZF calls an entirely new shifting concept of four planetary gear sets and five shift elements. It is expected to improve fuel economy by 6% compared to the company’s six-speed unit, and fuel consumption is expected to be reduced by 14% over most five-speed units.

ZF says that the new transmission will be able to handle more torque than its six-speed model. The modular construction allows for an advanced automated clutch system to replace the torque converter. Although ZF refused to name any potential customers, the company did say that the eight-speed unit is compatible with most all-wheel-drive systems and supports the integration of partial (started/generator components) as well as full hybrid-electric powertrains. 

Source: Sutton, Mike. (May 7, 2007). “ZF Unwraps 8-Speed Automatic Transmission.” WardsAuto.com. Retreived May 11, 2007 from www.wardsauto.com.