The SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) has announced a new competition that offers executive-level innovators under the age of 40 a platform to showcase their business plans for marketing a new automotive product and service. The “SEMA Launch Pad” contest will earn the grand-prize winner a package of advertising tools to help take his or her business to the next level.

Through this competition, five finalists will have their business plans peer reviewed by industry leaders at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The grand-prize winner will earn an array of prizes, including a 10x10-ft. booth at the 2014 SEMA Show, an ad in Hot Rod or 4 Wheel & Off Road magazine, a Family Events sponsorship package and more. Even if companies don’t win the grand prize, they will still benefit from the opportunity to be promoted to thousands of industry professionals eager to learn more about innovative products and services.

New Offerings to Make the Automobile Smarter, More Efficient and More Entertaining

Only a few decades ago, most automotive systems were mechanical or analog. Carbureted engines, manual transmissions and knob-tuned AM radios were standard equipment. But even the most basic of today’s cars and trucks offer a cornucopia of electronic controls that improve functionality and the driving experience. New specialty-equipment devices ranging from telemetry for hands-free communications and satellite navigation to powertrain tuning software and radio-frequency links with the home provide an almost dizzying array of options even beyond the sophisticated creations delivered at showrooms by the carmakers.

The mobile-electronics displays housed in the North Hall of the annual SEMA Show have increased in number and scope every year, and many exhibits in other product categories—street performance, off-road, tools and equipment, you name it—derive some portion of their usefulness from high-tech components. In the following pages, we’ve cataloged the electronic offerings that were unveiled in the New Products Showcase during the 2012 event. Retailers in particular might want to examine the listings for items that will draw consumers and boost sales.

Here Are Things SEMA Members Need to Know

Although it was enacted into law in 2010, the Affordable Care Act may continue to be bewildering for many SEMA members. The following article is intended to provide clarity on how the law applies to member companies and their workers and identify threshold issues to consider when speaking with an insurance professional.

SEMA-Member Guide to the Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Care Act (also called Obamacare) is one of the most complex and sweeping laws enacted since the Great Depression. Signed into law in March 2010, the law is being phased in over many years. The cornerstone of the law takes effect January 1, 2014, when individuals are required to have health insurance either through their employer or on their own.

While the United States continues to lead the way in automotive customization, vehicle owners throughout the world are increasingly seeking hot new products to make their cars and trucks personal and unique. This growing international interest means that SEMA manufacturing members have opportunities to grow their businesses overseas. Exporting products can be profitable, but determining where the hot markets are and what the hot products are can be a challenge. The SEMA international relations department is focused on assisting. Check out some of the recent media clips that do a great job of explaining just how SEMA is helping.

Breaking news from SEMA member companies, including The Coker Group, SCCA Pro Racing, Holley Performance Products, Racepak, National Performance Warehouse and more.

Top Global Markets

Thinking of trying to sell your product overseas but not sure where to start? Say you make a Jeep accessory that is a hot seller here in the United States and you want to know where else the Jeep is popular. SEMA can help. It has sales data for Jeep in more than two dozen countries. The same data is available for trucks and select car models.

It doesn’t stop there. SEMA can tell you what vehicles are on the road in the Arabian Peninsula countries, Russia, China, Brazil, Japan and selected Euro-pean countries.

The SEMA Hall of Fame website has undergone a makeover during the past several months and is now live and ready for visitors. The website includes information on all of the SEMA Hall of Fame members—the visionaries and early enthusiast-entrepreneurs
who helped build the nearly $30 billion specialty-equipment market that is enjoyed by enthusiasts throughout the world. Induction into the SEMA Hall of Fame, which was created in 1969, is the most prestigious honor presented to an individual by the association.

The most notable upgrades to the site are the addition of memorable photos featuring SEMA Hall of Fame inductees as well as the inclusion of more biographical and background information that highlight the contributions of these industry pioneers.

Why and How to Hire the Best

Let’s say you’ve launched a start-up company and are ready to sell your first line (or lines) of new product. Or perhaps you are a small to medium manufacturer looking to take sales to a whole new level. Or maybe you head the marketing department of a company in need of growing its sales force. In each case, you’re likely considering the ability of a manufacturer’s rep to help you reach your goals. If so, you won’t be the first who employed the services of an expert to gain entry to key markets and increase sales of established lines.

Nearly 2,000 companies participated in the 2013 SEMA Show priority booth selection process that was conducted in May. The number represents a 6% increase over the number of companies that participated in the process in 2012.

“With the increased commitment exhibitors are demonstrating, it’s apparent that the SEMA Show provides unmatched brand-building visibility and sales exposure in one venue,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events.

The SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) has completed its beta phase and has entered production mode with the newly developed Product Information Management System (PIMS). All beta participants have been successfully migrated into the new system, with full PIES functionality and ACES file handling in place.

Additionally, the SDC’s exclusive “ACES Mapper,” which enables users to easily define fitment and application information for each product via an easy-to-use web interface, was recently added to the PIMS. This integration completed the industry’s only state-of-the-art data management do-it-yourself tool set. Nearly 350 specialty-parts and accessories companies are currently participating in the SDC, with more being added daily, and no special knowledge or expertise is required to get started.