SEMA News - December 2009

SEMA is pleased to announce a membership benefit agreement with Insignia in support of ProPledge.

ProPledge is a program targeted to overcome the traditional barriers associated with specialty aftermarket products sold during the new-vehicle sales process—namely warranty and customer satisfaction scores (CSI). By way of ProPledge, dealers can offer customers industry-backed warranted products from participating manufacturers and restylers, ensuring dealership confidence and consumer satisfaction.

By partnering with Insignia—an industry leader in accessories sales tools and processes for new-vehicle dealerships across numerous brands—SEMA is adding additional value to the ProPledge program by providing an effective communication medium that connects aftermarket manufacturers to restylers to dealers, which ultimately communicates the ProPledge advantage to the retail consumer.

Through Insignia’s e-catalog system, specialty aftermarket manufacturers can provide the marketplace real-time product data descriptions, updated pricing and color product images. Manufacturers will gain visibility to compelling usage data, such as which products are viewed the most, on what vehicles, by what customer and what has been sold across the entire network.

Restylers can offer to dealers industry-backed products from ProPledge manufacturers that reach all the way to the dealer’s consumer. In combination with Insignia, restylers will be able to identify those products that are ProPledge-backed as well as be able to provide a comprehensive product offering all in one versatile tool.

Retail customers will be able to identify ProPledge products while shopping in the dealership and differentiate those that are industry-backed and those that are not.

“Our relationship with Insignia will provide ProPledge with the additional support and benefits we strive for entering 2010,” stated ProPlege Operations Director, Joe Sebergandio.

“Insignia will reduce the ProPledge education process for manufacturers, restylers and dealers,” says David Stringer, president of Insignia. “Through Insignia, retail customers in dealerships will gain clear visibility to what products are Pro-Pledge guaranteed. Dealers will benefit by giving the customer what they want, while at the same time protecting CSI and warranty claims. Our involvement with ProPledge is a win-win for everyone.”

Here is more information about ProPledge, or call 818/248-4900. Here is more information about Insignia, or call 888/579-4458.

 

SEMA Publishes Comprehensive Guide to Federal Regulation of Aftermarket Parts

SEMA’s Government Affairs Office has compiled a comprehensive guide on how motor-vehicle parts are regulated by the federal government which can be viewed at www.sema.org/fedregs. It is a must-read document for every SEMA member.

The guide is generally presented in a Q&A format, with links to online resources for more information. Topics include an overview of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, emissions standards (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and California) and special sections on lighting equipment, wheels and tires and fuel economy. The guide also answers questions such as: Is my company required to register with the NHTSA? What are my obligations as an importer? What is self-certification?

Is “DOT-approved” a legal term? How is lighting equipment regulated by the federal and state government? Where can I download NHTSA rules and regulations?

SEMA Immediate-Past Chairman Jim Cozzie has joined RTM Productions as executive vice president. Cozzie will oversee new-business development, processes, procedures and internal operations.

To learn more about the SEMA government affairs efforts and how your company can stay current with federal and state laws and regulations, contact Stuart Gosswein.

 

Jim Cozzie Joins Forces With RTM Productions

SEMA Immediate-Past Chairman Jim Cozzie has joined RTM Productions as executive vice president. In his new role, Cozzie will oversee new-business development, integration of procedures and processes and harmonizing of internal operations.

“I’m extremely excited to be joining the RTM team,” Cozzie said. “Joe and Patty St. Lawrence have built an incredibly strong stable of brands and properties, and I look forward to further strengthening and expanding upon those successes.”

RTM Productions produces prominent automotive TV programs, including “HorsePower,” “Trucks!,” “MuscleCar,” “Xtreme 4x4” and “PowerBlock,” all on Spike TV. In addition to its TV programming, RTM provides web, e-magazine, production and marketing solutions services. RTM Productions is located in Franklin, Tennessee. Cozzie expects the transition to be complete by January 1, 2010.

 

The annual MPMC Media Trade Conference moves to Covina, California—just 15 minutes from Ontario Airport—in 2010.

Media Registration Now Open for MPMC Conference

Media registration for the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Media Trade Conference is now open. The MPMC Media Trade Conference is a three-day event where manufacturers and media take part in prescheduled, private, sit-down meetings. Nowhere else can a manufacturer meet with editorial staff from so many news outlets, and nowhere else can the media gather so much technical and new-product information at one time. Here are sign-up and additional details about the 2010 MPMC Media Trade Conference, taking place Tuesday–Thursday, January 19–21, 2010.

This year’s event has been moved to the recently renovated Radisson Suites Hotel in Covina, California. Located about 15 minutes from the Ontario Airport in Southern California, the new location features easy freeway access and is near many local attractions, including the Fairplex/L.A. County Fairgrounds and the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum.

 

FAST FACTS

Goodguys Rod & Custom Association announced the 2010 Grand Prize Giveaway car: the ’70 Boss Snake, a 429 Ford-powered super musclecar designed by Kaucher Kustoms and being built and assembled by Max-G Systems of Fogelsville, Pennsylvania. The Boss Snake is a concept based on the QuarterHorse Mustang, of which only two prototypes were ever built. The car’s finish will be PPG/Goodguy yellow. Goodguys members and 2010 event participants will have a chance to qualify as finalists to win the car. It will be given away at the Goodguys 13th Southwest Nationals November 19–21, 2010, in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Boss Snake will debut as a finished car in March at the Goodguys 2010 season-opening event, the Spring Nationals, March 12–14 also in Scottsdale. Project sponsors include Vintage Air, Classic Instruments, Painless Performance, BFGoodrich, Flaming River, Rick’s Hot Rods, Dynacorn, Baer Brakes, Tremec, Optima Batteries, Herculiner, PEAK, Grundy Insurance, Flowmaster Exhaust, Comp Cams and Performance Rod & Custom. Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, Pleasanton, CA; 925/838-9876. Kaucher Kustoms, Santa Monica, CA; 310/656-9993.

Glen Knowles

Glen Knowles was named wheel specialist and shipping manager of Stockton Wheel Service. Knowles has worked for several companies since 1988, starting with his grandfather’s retail auto parts store and then taking positions at California Truck Works and other shops where he gained experience in sales, purchasing and management.

SoffSeal Inc. hired Mark Cotter as its new national sales manager. Cotter joins SoffSeal after 16 years with Clark Industries. Cotter is part of a management team that will focus on customer service, product development and the future growth of the company. SoffSeal Inc., Harrison, OH; 513/367-0028.

The CarDomain Network Inc. selected Focus Media & Marketing for its sales representation in the Midwest. The companies will work together to reach a core audience of auto enthusiasts. The move is part of CarDomain’s ongoing expansion plans.

Rick Ross

Scosche Industries hired industry veteran Rick Ross as its new national sales trainer. The addition of Ross will allow the company to offer personalized training and consultation to Scosche’s dealers. He will educate the sales force and dealers on the full line of Scosche products. He has more than 24 years of senior-level experience in the automotive aftermarket industry and brings extensive knowledge and understanding to his position. Prior to joining Scosche, Ross was at Pioneer Electronics, where he was the technical training specialist. Scosche Industries, Oxnard, CA; 805/486-4450.

Automotive Racing Products achieved registration for both the ISO9001 and the AS9100 quality standards. The registrations include all of the company’s facilities in Santa Paula, California, where all its products are manufactured, as well as its sales and packaging facility in Ventura, California. Both registrations were certified by National Quality Assurance USA of Acton, Massachusetts, which is accredited by ANAB.

Hennessey Performance Engineering Venom GT

Hennessey Performance Engineering will unveil its Venom GT supercar to the public for the first time at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The Venom GT will be powered by Hennessey’s specially tuned version of the Corvette ZR1’s LS9 engine, which will be both supercharged and twin turbocharged. Hennessey Performance Engineering, Sealy, TX; 979/885-1300.

Classic Recreations, manufacturer of the officially licensed Eleanor Mustang supercar from the movie Gone in 60 Seconds, selected Kahn Media to assist with an integrated public relations campaign. Kahn Media will provide Classic Recreations with North American and international media outreach and PR assistance for the company’s full range of turnkey supercars and handcrafted performance vehicles. Classic Recreations, Brodyville, TN; 877/235-3266.

Jake Plappert

BedSlide hired Jake Plappert as national fleet sales manager to handle the company’s growing fleet segment of sales. Plappert has worked as a manufacturers’ rep and has experience with dealerships and retail operations. The company also announced the launch of a blog on its website, helping customers stay up-to-date on the latest news and products from the company. BedSlide, Medford, OR; 888/807-0099.

T-Rex Grilles and DefenderWorx formed an exclusive marketing partnership through which T-Rex Grilles will be the exclusive aftermarket distributor of the DefenderWorx high-quality line of officially GM-licensed Camaro products. Both companies plan to work together to develop new products that can be offered to both T-Rex Grilles customers and DefenderWorx’s nationwide network of GM dealerships. T-Rex Grilles, Corona, CA; 800/287-5900. DefenderWorx, Anaheim, CA; 714/630-9700.

Patricia J. Roberts joined AskPatty.com Inc. as director of business development. She is responsible for working strategically with automotive retailers to assist them in learning how to attract, retain and increase loyalty with women customers. She will also respond to questions from consumer women on automotive-related topics via the website. Roberts brings 39 years of automotive experience to AskPatty.com and the automotive advisory panel. Prior to joining AskPatty.com, Roberts was the general director of women’s retail initiative at General Motors, where she worked to support and develop programs to increase the number of females in retailing for the company. AskPatty.com Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA; 888/745-1928.

The Eastern Motorsport Press Association will hold its annual convention at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Trevose, Pennsylvania, from January 15–17, 2010. The convention consists of a variety of press conferences featuring speedways, sanctioning organizations and race teams sharing their plans for the future. The event also includes the annual NASCAR/EMPA Hall of Fame Awards Dinner where the prestigious Al Holbert Memorial/EMPA Driver of the Year Award will be announced.

Mauro Pessi began his role as CEO of Pirelli Tire North America on October 1. Pessi has had a long association with Pirelli, most recently serving as vice president of sales and marketing and then CEO of Latin American operations. He rejoins The Pirelli Group after his departure in 2008 to become CEO at Brembo. Pessi replaces Hugh Pace, who is retiring after nearly three years as chairman and CEO of the company. Pirelli Tire North America, Rome, GA; 800/747-3554.

Boge Kompressoren

Boge America, a subsidiary of Boge Kompressoren, is celebrating its 10th anniversary in the American market. The company positioned itself as a true competitor with its “S” series screw compressor and recently expanded its facility in Powder Springs, Georgia. Tim Tarrant, president of Boge America, has managed the operation since 2004. “We have massively extended the Boge product range over the past 12 months in order to better meet our customers’ requirements,” Tarrant said. “The larger facility will ensure we can carry more inventory and reduce lead times for our customers.”