In a joint effort, the Light-Truck Accessory Alliance (LTAA) and the SEMA Education Institute (SEI) have developed a new online tool that allows manufacturers to efficiently and effectively provide product training to hundreds or even thousands of resellers throughout the industry. The program is...

The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association’s (AAIA) Legacy electronic catalog standard was retired as of December 2012 and will no longer be supported or updated by AAIA. In order to meet the needs of today’s powerful business applications, the Legacy format has been replaced with the AAIA...

For Manufacturers, It’s the Ultimate Match Building a brand, informing business partners and educating consumers are key factors in marketing a product successfully. And while manufacturers may be experts at innovation and development, few also possess the expertise to publicize and promote their...

Harnessing Industry Horsepower As the fight to defend the automotive hobby continues, the opportunity to showcase the SEMA Action Network’s (SAN) efforts to the specialty-equipment industry remains critical. SEMA-member businesses represent an integral component in successfully reaching lawmakers...

Technology is rapidly changing the way products are conceived and delivered to the market. From online open-innovation models to product-creation software and from surface-scanning tools to additive manufacturing equipment, businesses are changing how they approach product development.

The majority of the exhibitors at the SEMA Show are small businesses, but automakers are just as important and are essential to the industry. Many of the OEMs participate by exhibiting at the Show. In addition to generating attendee interest, the automakers also create buzz in the media. Here are...

The Los Angeles Auto Show has a reputation as a “green car” event that skews heavily toward advanced technology. This year’s show was consistent with that image, but there were more than a few debuts of high-volume production vehicles that will matter to SEMA members, along with an unusual number of...

While the economy continues to influence the tire and wheel markets, the greatest impacts on the industry have resulted from the elimination of the tariffs on Chinese tires, the steady growth of lower rolling resistance tires, advances in technology and the proliferation of Internet research...

For the third year in a row, the Tire Industry Association (TIA) allied with SEMA to present the Global Tire Expo (GTE)—Powered by TIA at the recent 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Designed as a freestanding tire industry “show within a show,” the GTE has proven to be an ongoing hit with attendees...

It’s certainly no secret that customer information has become a key element of success in business. The more you know about your customers, the easier it is to conduct long-term planning, execute more targeted marketing and ensure success when it comes to strategic investments. That kind of...