More than 190 exhibitors registered for a booth in the 2010 SEMA Show’s new Global Tire Expo—Powered by Tire Industry Association (TIA). This section of the Convention Center was dedicated to the tire industry, serving as a focal point for buyers searching for the hottest tire-related trends and products.

Students preparing for careers in the automotive industry may be eligible to receive financial awards ranging from $1,000–$4,000 through the 2011 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. The scholarship application, which is due April 1 and requires college transcripts and letters of recommendation, is now available here.

Changing the look and feel of a vehicle instantly, wheels and wheel accessories remain extremely popular with buyers and enthusiasts. In fact, for the 2010 SEMA Show a total of 17,839 buyers noted a specific interest in wheels, hubcaps and related accessories on their registration questionnaire. More than 140 exhibitors were on hand to satisfy their curiosity, exhibiting in a new Show section dedicated exclusively to wheels and related accessories.

This issue of SEMA News continues our tradition of highlighting the great new products our manufacturers unleashed at the SEMA Show. Through SEMA News, the SEMA website and a variety of other media outlets, we amplify and carry forward one of the Show’s primary value propositions: creating high-level awareness for the industry’s innovative and trendsetting new products.

SEMA is supporting Michigan legislation that would allow any municipality to issue a permit for a sanctioned motor vehicle racing event on highways, streets or airport runways within its geographical jurisdiction. Current Michigan law allows only cities to issue these permits.