In April, the SEMA Performance Parts and Accessories Demand Index (PADI) dropped to an all-time low, going from 30 in March to 26 this month.

It’s no secret that specialty-equipment sales declined in 2008 as a result of our economy taking a turn for the worse during the latter half of last year. Despite this market contraction, 37% of SEMA members recently surveyed noted that their company’s sales actually increased in 2008 over 2007.

Consumers remain hesitant to make new vehicle purchases. Recent economic instability has not only caused consumers to reconsider these substantial purchases, but has also led them to neglect maintenance.

While computers get smaller, phones become capable of sending email and iPods become personal entertainment centers, one aspect has remained relatively the same: the technology that fascinates us and simplifies our lives has been limited in its use within our vehicles.

Booth space is available in the upcoming 2009 Paace Automechanika Show taking place July 15-17. Held annually in Mexico City, the event draws more than 18,000 attendees in the automotive industry. More information is available at www.paaceautomechanika.com or by contacting lindas@sema.org.

U.S.-based SEMA members seeking to expand their overseas sales are entitled to a complimentary company/product posting on the U.S. Department of Commerce website. The deadline to register is May 7th.

SEMA is disputing claims that vehicle scrappage programs will clean the air or reduce the nation’s dependency on foreign oil. SEMA contends that these misdirected programs do more environmental harm than good, and deny cash incentives to millions of Americans who want to buy a new car. The scrappage...

DELIBERATIONS: As of Tuesday morning, a jury continued to deliberate over the fate of two-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves, his sister Katiucia and attorney Alan Miller. The trio are charged with conspiring to hide a portion of Castroneves’s income from the Internal Revenue Service. SPONSOR...