The current edition of Current Topics in the SEMA Market Update asks consumer opinion leaders to name their choices for the hottest products from the Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase at the 2011 SEMA Show.

The SEMA Market Update is a regularly published report that tracks industry and economic trends affecting the $30 billion specialty-equipment industry. Each update tracks a regular set of trends and contains a "Current Topics" section that provides SEMA members with new research or information sources to better understand changes in the industry.



Q1 2012 continued to provide mixed messages on the economic recovery. Overall, the U.S. economy is forecast to grow over the next few years, but many are expecting somewhat slower growth than previously forecast. Instability in the job market and overseas, along with the impending election, has created some uncertainty about U.S. recovery.

Automotive indicators continue to show strong growth, with a boost in sales of small and midsize cars. Industry optimism remained high heading into Q2, with most companies expecting sales to be up over last year. 



In this edition of Current Topics, we asked a group of consumer “opinion leaders” to tell us what were the hot products from the Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase at the 2011 SEMA Show.

This report, along with all SEMA market research, is available for download at www.sema.org/research.

	The 4x4 double-cab HiLux being made available to members is pictured in Dubai right before it was shipped to the United States. The first measuring session will take place July 31 and August 1 at SEMA Headquarters.

SEMA is importing the Toyota HiLux 4x4 double cab to the United States as part of a new program to provide SEMA members access to vehicles that are popular overseas but not sold in the United States. With sales of nearly 14 million units in 135 countries worldwide since its introduction, the HiLux is the ideal vehicle for companies looking to prototype new products to enter markets overseas. The HiLux is a top-selling vehicle in key countries/regions, including Australia, New Zealand, Europe, South Africa, Central America and the Middle East. Manufacturing companies interested in gathering measurements and specs needed to create products for the popular truck model are encouraged to attend one of the following sessions:

• July 31 – SEMA Headquarters in Diamond Bar, California
• August 1 – SEMA Headquarters in Diamond Bar, California
• August 14 – Link Engineering Facility in Dearborn, Michigan
• August 22 – Clemson University in Greenville, South Carolina

The program is made possible by a Department of Commerce Market Development Cooperator Program grant from the U.S. government, which is working in partnership with SEMA to identify and create export opportunities for SEMA members.

Register now to participate in one of the four ’12 Toyota HiLux Measuring Sessions.

	The 4x4 double-cab HiLux being made available to members is pictured in Dubai right before it was shipped to the United States. The first measuring session will take place July 31 and August 1 at SEMA Headquarters.

SEMA is importing the Toyota HiLux 4x4 double cab to the United States as part of a new program to provide SEMA members access to vehicles that are popular overseas but not sold in the United States. With sales of nearly 14 million units in 135 countries worldwide since its introduction, the HiLux is the ideal vehicle for companies looking to prototype new products to enter markets overseas. The HiLux is a top-selling vehicle in key countries/regions, including Australia, New Zealand, Europe, South Africa, Central America and the Middle East. Manufacturing companies interested in gathering measurements and specs needed to create products for the popular truck model are encouraged to attend one of the following sessions:

• July 31 – SEMA Headquarters in Diamond Bar, California
• August 1 – SEMA Headquarters in Diamond Bar, California
• August 14 – Link Engineering Facility in Dearborn, Michigan
• August 22 – Clemson University in Greenville, South Carolina

The program is made possible by a Department of Commerce Market Development Cooperator Program grant from the U.S. government, which is working in partnership with SEMA to identify and create export opportunities for SEMA members.

Register now to participate in one of the four ’12 Toyota HiLux Measuring Sessions.

	Bob Phibbs

Do you try to motivate everyone on your sales team using exactly the same techniques? This "one-size-fits-all" approach can produce mediocre results. It sounds great to create an incentive program to juice sales, but what motivates a driver personality style is much different than an amiable personality. Understanding all four (including the expressive and the amiable) with their strengths and weaknesses have consistently led to higher sales in many different industries.

Join Bob Phibbs, The Retail Doctor, and the SEMA Education Institute (SEI) for a webinar, Thursday, August 2, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT), as they explore four personality styles and how to keep these very different personality types motivated.

Phibbs has helped hundreds of small- and medium-sized businesses in every major industry. He is a nationally recognized expert on business strategy, customer service, sales and marketing. With more than 30 years' experience beginning in the trenches of retail and extending to senior management positions, he has been a corporate officer, franchisor and entrepreneur.

If you are trying to get more from your team, join Phibbs and SEI, Thursday, August 2, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT). Register today!

Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

	Bob Phibbs

Do you try to motivate everyone on your sales team using exactly the same techniques? This "one-size-fits-all" approach can produce mediocre results. It sounds great to create an incentive program to juice sales, but what motivates a driver personality style is much different than an amiable personality. Understanding all four (including the expressive and the amiable) with their strengths and weaknesses have consistently led to higher sales in many different industries.

Join Bob Phibbs, The Retail Doctor, and the SEMA Education Institute (SEI) for a webinar, Thursday, August 2, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT), as they explore four personality styles and how to keep these very different personality types motivated.

Phibbs has helped hundreds of small- and medium-sized businesses in every major industry. He is a nationally recognized expert on business strategy, customer service, sales and marketing. With more than 30 years' experience beginning in the trenches of retail and extending to senior management positions, he has been a corporate officer, franchisor and entrepreneur.

If you are trying to get more from your team, join Phibbs and SEI, Thursday, August 2, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT). Register today!

Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

	Bob Phibbs

Do you try to motivate everyone on your sales team using exactly the same techniques? This "one-size-fits-all" approach can produce mediocre results. It sounds great to create an incentive program to juice sales, but what motivates a driver personality style is much different than an amiable personality. Understanding all four (including the expressive and the amiable) with their strengths and weaknesses have consistently led to higher sales in many different industries.

Join Bob Phibbs, The Retail Doctor, and the SEMA Education Institute (SEI) for a webinar, Thursday, August 2, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT), as they explore four personality styles and how to keep these very different personality types motivated.

Phibbs has helped hundreds of small- and medium-sized businesses in every major industry. He is a nationally recognized expert on business strategy, customer service, sales and marketing. With more than 30 years' experience beginning in the trenches of retail and extending to senior management positions, he has been a corporate officer, franchisor and entrepreneur.

If you are trying to get more from your team, join Phibbs and SEI, Thursday, August 2, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT). Register today!

Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

	Promote your company's 2012 SEMA Show feature vehicle in the November issue of SEMA News magazine.

To get extra visibility for your feature vehicles at the Show, don’t miss the free opportunity to showcase your company’s 2012 SEMA Show feature vehicle in the November issue of SEMA News magazine. Entries for the popular “Vehicles of the Show” article are now being accepted.

To be included in the Show issue of SEMA News, please e-mail a high-resolution photo or rendering of the vehicle you plan to exhibit, along with a few details about the car or truck and its modifications.

For complete information, e-mail Steve Campbell at stevec@sema.org with “2012 Feature Vehicle” in the subject line. Steve will send you the specifics about how to have your vehicle included in the story.

Don’t wait until the last minute—ensure that your vehicle is included for free by sending your e-mail today!

	Promote your company's 2012 SEMA Show feature vehicle in the November issue of SEMA News magazine.

To get extra visibility for your feature vehicles at the Show, don’t miss the free opportunity to showcase your company’s 2012 SEMA Show feature vehicle in the November issue of SEMA News magazine. Entries for the popular “Vehicles of the Show” article are now being accepted.

To be included in the Show issue of SEMA News, please e-mail a high-resolution photo or rendering of the vehicle you plan to exhibit, along with a few details about the car or truck and its modifications.

For complete information, e-mail Steve Campbell at stevec@sema.org with “2012 Feature Vehicle” in the subject line. Steve will send you the specifics about how to have your vehicle included in the story.

Don’t wait until the last minute—ensure that your vehicle is included for free by sending your e-mail today!

In a misguided attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, legislation was approved by the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture to establish a progressive purchase surcharge for some new motor vehicles based on state calculations of carbon emissions. Depending on the vehicle purchased, this surcharge could require owners to pay up to 10% of the price of the vehicle and would take effect July 1, 2013. Vehicles purchased by state residents outside the state would be similarly taxed.

Funds collected under the program would be used in part to fund rebates for the purchase of such vehicles as hybrids and electric cars. If this effort is successful, the effects on your ability to purchase the vehicle of your choice, not to mention vehicle safety, will be dramatic. The bill has now been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means for consideration.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

In a misguided attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, legislation was approved by the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture to establish a progressive purchase surcharge for some new motor vehicles based on state calculations of carbon emissions. Depending on the vehicle purchased, this surcharge could require owners to pay up to 10% of the price of the vehicle and would take effect July 1, 2013. Vehicles purchased by state residents outside the state would be similarly taxed.

Funds collected under the program would be used in part to fund rebates for the purchase of such vehicles as hybrids and electric cars. If this effort is successful, the effects on your ability to purchase the vehicle of your choice, not to mention vehicle safety, will be dramatic. The bill has now been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means for consideration.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.