If you scan no farther than these next words, know this: You should read The Business of Speed: The Hot Rod Industry in America, 1915–1990 by David Lucsko.

Unlike other types of salespeople, manufacturers’ representatives work for multiple companies across multiple product lines in a large geographic area, either as individuals or as part of an agency. 

SEMA News recently had the chance to catch up with well-respected manufacturer and ProPledge participant 3dCarbon. We spoke with the company’s vice president of sales and marketing, Ernie Bunnell, to learn a little more about its products and about how 3dCarbon is utilizing ProPledge’s benefits to differentiate itself from its competition. 

As the economy starts to rebound, retailers are taking on a new mission—customer recovery. While analysts argue about the official end of the recession, business owners know that the economy doesn’t turn around until new customers begin to open their wallets.

One of the most profound effects of the recession was the decline in U.S. vehicle sales, which plummeted from nearly 17 million in 2006 to about 10.6 million in 2009, according to Ward’s AutoWorld.

The SEMA Show is the premier destination for buyers in the specialty-equipment industry looking to find new products and services for their customers. In 2009, 25,086 buyers went to Las Vegas specifically to bring the newest restyling and car care offerings from the Show floor into their own retail shops.

We recently had the good fortune to speak with Bob Corwin, first vice president of Alliant Insurance Services, to discuss his company’s role and service offerings within ProPledge.

Barry Meguiar’s family has been in the car-care business for 109 years, and he’s personally headed up the company that carries the family name for more than four decades. As the president of Meguiar’s Inc., he’s seen the economic roller coaster trundle up and down many times before, but he’s never seen anything like the last couple of years.

In the April issue, we ran an extended look at what the ProPledge warranty assurance program is and how it can benefit member companies. Part of the ongoing development of the program is to profile its existing members as well as those that see the value and benefits of what ProPledge can offer.

Powersports & Utility Vehicles Exhibitors Fill the 2009 Product Showcase. In 2009, SEMA dedicated a special section of the Las Vegas Convention Center strictly to Powersports & Utility Vehicles.