Restyling and Car Care Market Shines at the SEMA Show

The total number of companies exhibiting in in the Restyling & Car Care section of the Show currently stands at 238, which is an increase of nearly 20% over the same time period in 2010.

The SEMA Show is a worldwide automotive specialty-products trade event that attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders and professionals each year and covers the entire realm of the specialty-equipment industry. The Show is comprised of 13 categories: Business Services; Global Tire Expo—Powered by TIA; Hot Rod Alley; Mobile Electronics & Technology; Collision Repair & Refinish; Powersports & Utility Vehicles; Racing & Performance; Restoration Marketplace; Restyling & Car Care Accessories; Tools & Equipment; Trucks, SUVs and Off-Road; Wheels & Accessories; and OEM.

Each of the sections will be highlighted in SEMA eNews from now leading up to the Show, November 1–4 , in Las Vegas. This week's section is the Restyling & Car Care Accessories.

The restyling market experienced a steady decline in sales at the retail level from 2007 through 2009, according to SEMA research, going from $4.23 billion in 2007 to $3.79 billion in 2009. The main factor contributing to the fall in the market was the recession, which led to a major decline in vehicle sales. With available vehicle inventory on the downturn, the decline changed the landscape for companies in the restyling market that were impacted by streamlined OEM assembly lines, closing factories and reduced or reconfigured trim levels.

With the days of automakers producing a multitude of variants and seemingly unending options lists in the rearview mirror, restylers have benefitted by providing packages and options that fill the gaps. This has helped to fuel a slight rebound for restyling companies.

In 2010, there was a small increase in the restyling market, as retail sales hit $3.87 billion. Restylers are taking advantage of opportunities to provide consumers with the comforts and amenities they want that are no longer offered by the factory or only exist in pricey accessory packages.

Current registration data for the 2011 Show compared to 2010 has revealed some encouraging statistics not only for companies involved in restyling and car care and accessories, but for all exhibitors. Total buyer registrations for the 2011 SEMA Show are up 42.72% when compared with the same period in 2010.

Nearly 30% of the buyers attending the Show indicated that they are interested in car care products, specifically cleaners, waxes, polishes and car care supplies. This is a 35.35% increase compared to the same time frame in 2010. As for restyling accessories—broken down into interior, exterior and truck—current buyer interest for all buyers attending the Show stands at 71.1%.

Interest in electronics is up as well, with 60.23% of buyers stating that they are interested in audio/video, navigation, communication and security products. This is about a 3% increase in buyer interest for these products when compared to the same period in 2010.

Buyers will also have more to see at the SEMA Show as the total number of companies exhibiting in in the Restyling & Car Care section of the Show currently stands at 238, which is an increase of nearly 20% over the same time period in 2010. To see all of the companies in the Restyling & Car Care section, access the floor plan and list here.

For more on the restyling market, including what experts are saying about the current opportunities and changes in the segment, click here. To learn more about the latest in car care tech, read more here.

The SEMA Show is set for November 1–4, 2011, in Las Vegas. Complete details on the Show, including how to exhibit or to register as a buyer, visit www.SEMAShow.com.