Mirroring the explosive growth of the Brazilian specialty-equipment market, Brazilian buyer attendance at the 2007 SEMA Show grew 72% from the 2006 Show, the single largest increase in international buyer attendance last year. Following Brazil’s increase were buyers from Germany (up 18%) and Australia (17%).
"Brazil, Germany and Australia all have in common large numbers of passionate automotive enthusiasts," says Linda Spencer, SEMA Director of International and Government Relations. "Importers and buyers from these markets are coming to the SEMA Show in increasing numbers to find the latest, best products for their customers."
Not surprisingly, the bulk of international buyers came from North America, led by Canada (29%) and Mexico (14%).
"SEMA members have been increasingly active in both markets, and SEMA Show exhibitors welcomed the presence of so many buyers from these important neighboring countries," Spencer noted.
The largest contingent of buyers from outside North America came from Japan (7%).
Domestically, the largest buyer attendee growth came from New England states, with a 15% increase over 2006. Mountain state and West South Central state buyers followed with 7% and 6% growth, respectively. The bulk of domestic buyers—37%—overwhelmingly came from Pacific states, with buyers from Mountain states not too far behind at 20.5%.
For more information, visit the SEMA Research & Information Center online at www.sema.org/research. To learn more about growing your business internationally, go to www.sema.org/international or contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.