SEMA News - October 2010
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| Proceeds from the sale of the WD-40/SEMA Cares Mustang will go to Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp children’s charities. | |
SEMA Cares and WD-40 Partner With Barrett-Jackson on Mustang GT Charity Build
SEMA Cares and WD-40 are partnering with Barrett-Jackson and leading aftermarket manufacturers to build a custom ’11 Ford Mustang GT for the 2010 SEMA Show.
The vehicle, dubbed the WD-40/SEMA Cares Mustang, features a 5.0L V8 engine and paint reminiscent of WD-40’s blue-and-yellow can. It will travel the West Coast before being auctioned at the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Show and Auction on January 17–23, 2011, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
All proceeds from the vehicle’s sale will go to Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp children’s charities.
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Mark Reuss, president of General Motors North America, will help kick-off the 2010 SEMA Show by delivering the inaugural SEMA Vehicle Technology keynote address. |
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GM President Mark Reuss to Deliver First SEMA Show Vehicle Technology Keynote
Kick-off the 2010 SEMA Show by attending the inaugural SEMA Vehicle Technology keynote address featuring Mark Reuss, president of General Motors North America. As an automotive enthusiast and long-time SEMA advocate, Reuss will open the Vehicle Technology Briefing Program on Tuesday, November 2, from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., in the Las Vegas Hilton.
Reuss will discuss how GM’s transformation is leading the reinvention of the automobile and how advanced technologies are impacting the performance industry today and creating new business opportunities for
SEMA members.
A panel discussion with industry leaders, including Peter Diamandis (X Prize Foundation), Scott Atherton (American Le Mans Series), Azhar Hussain (TTXGP eGrandPrix), Imtiaz Haque (Clemson University-ICAR), Patrick Reininger (R.L. Polk & Co.) and Bryan Krulikowski (Morpace) will follow the keynote presentation.
Space is limited. Tickets are free, and SEMA Show attendees can make reservations by visiting here. The deadline to register is Friday, October 15, 2010.
SEMA Show Exhibitor Invite Program Offers Secure, Confidential Method to Reach Buyers
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| Exhibitor Invites enables SEMA Show exhibitors to create customized e-mail campaigns. | |
Looking for another way to connect with buyers? A free, new tool called Exhibitor Invites enables 2010 SEMA Show exhibitors to create their own customized e-mail campaigns, allowing them to send up to three e-mails to an unlimited number of buyers and prospects. Program features include:
- Discounts, incentives, company information and new-product announcements.
- Upload buyer and prospect files to Exhibitor Invites’ bonded and licensed third-party e-mail service, Global IntelliSystems. Each list is 100% secure and will not be shared with anyone (not even SEMA).
- Company name, logo, booth number and customized message are included as part of the three separate HTML e-mails. Exhibitors approve the message and schedule, while SEMA pays for the whole thing.
- Boost awareness about each exhibitor’s company and help ensure that all key customers and prospects attend the 2010 SEMA Show and stop by the exhibitor’s booth.
The exhibitor who generates the greatest number of qualified buyers by October 1, 2010, receives $25,000 worth of on-site signage for the SEMA Show. To get started, visit here.
Contact an Exhibitor Invites specialist at 866/771-6290 x1764 with any questions about using the Exhibitor Invites program. If you have any problems using the system, send an e-mail to services@exhibitorinvites.com.
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“My Show Planner” enables SEMA Show attendees to create day-by-day calendar listings of the seminars and special events they want to attend. |
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Daily SEMA Show Planner:Hit the Show Floor With a Game Plan
To make the most of your time at the 2010 SEMA Show, use “My Show Planner” to create and save a personalized itinerary for the Show.
My Show Planner enables all registered attendees and exhibitors to prepare for the SEMA Show experience by creating a day-by-day calendar listing of the seminars and special events they plan to attend. You can map out the exhibitors you need to meet and add any meetings or activities you have planned during the week. In addition, you can save your itinerary and come back at any time to add, delete or modify the information.
For additional details on My Show Planner, visit www.SEMAShow.com.
Fast Facts
Autogeek was selected as the presenting sponsor of Masters Entertainment Group’s newest TV series, “Motorhead Garage,” featuring Sam Memmolo and Dave Bowman, formerly of “Shadetree Mechanic” and “Two Guys Garage.” In addition to its sponsorship, Autogeek will also provide several features for auto enthusiasts that offer step-by-step instructions on keeping vehicles looking their best. Masters Entertainment Group, Bristol, TN;
423/968-7736.
WyoTech named Jorge Gutierrez president of the WyoTech–Daytona campus, located in Ormond Beach, Florida. Prior to joining WyoTech, Gutierrez was the campus president at Universal Technical Institute in Norwood, Massachusetts, where he managed more than 100 employees and served more than 1,000 students in a large automotive, industrial and diesel training facility. WyoTech, Laramie, WY; 307/742-3776.
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Bradley Garwood |
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Firestone Industrial Products Co. hired Bradley Garwood as the company’s new heavy-duty aftermarket distribution sales representative for the northeast region. Garwood is responsible for all sales distribution and account-management operations. Prior to his appointment at Firestone Industrial, Garwood spent six years at Pioneer Automotive Technologies. Firestone Industrial Products Co., Indianapolis, IN; 317/575-7000.
King Shock Technology launched a new website at www.kingshocks.com. Designed by Mad Media, the site is loaded with technical specifications, news, lifestyle articles, photos and videos, and it also features the latest news and stories about King Shocks drivers, worldwide events and new-product developments. King Shock Technology, Garden Grove, CA; 714/530-8701.
The Advanstar Automotive Group named long-time editorial director Larry Silvey editorial director emeritus. Silvey is leaving Advanstar to become the new chair of the automotive aftermarket management program at Northwood University in Midland, Michigan. Silvey will continue to be affiliated with Advanstar Automotive, writing a monthly column on aftermarket topics and serving as a member of the organization’s editorial advisory board. Web Director Michael Willins will take over Silvey’s responsibilities. Willins is the former publisher and editor-in-chief of Automotive Body Repair News and a former senior editor of Aftermarket Business. Advanstar Automotive, Woodland Hills, CA; 818/593-5000.
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David Richardson |
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Directed Electronics appointed David Richardson to the new position of director of auto dealer sales. Richardson has more than 30 years of professional experience holding senior management positions with leading automotive businesses, including AutoNation, EDS, General Motors, Johnson Controls and Toyota.
Gary Jurick was named the new vice president and general manager of Roush Performance. He was previously the director of Roush Performance product development, where he headed up the engineering, testing and validation areas of vehicle and parts programs. Jurick has 21 years of experience at Roush.
Martin & Co. Advertising hired Brian Zembrycki as marketing and administrative assistant to president and owner Zan Martin. Zembrycki has 28 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket, serving in numerous management capacities, specializing primarily in the racing sector. Martin & Co. Advertising, Whites Creek, TN; 615/876-1822.G-Force Racing announced that it has a permanent business office location in the Charlotte Motor Speedway's main office building. Don Stodola, executive account manager, has relocated to the new office from the G-Force corporate building located in the Atlanta area. The office at the speedway was originally established in 2009 for the research and development of new opportunities with local, area and national competitors and regional businesses. G-Force Racing, Roswell, GA; 770/998-8855.
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Tom Varrone |
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The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) named Mobil 1 as the “Official Oil of the SCCA.” All SCCA members will receive a 20% discount on purchases at www.mobilracingstore.com as part of the agreement, and competitors using Mobil 1 products are eligible for a sizable contingency program at the 2010 SCCA National Championship Runoffs Presented by Subway at Road America. SCCA, Topeka, KS; 785/357-7222.
The team at A.R.E. is providing Tim Samaras, star of “Storm Chasers” on the Discovery Channel, the ultimate tornado-chasing truck—the A.R.E. Twistex Probe. The Twistex Probe is a ’08 GMC Sierra 3500 outfitted with A.R.E.’s Deluxe Commercial Unit (DCU) Series truck cap and numerous aftermarket accessories designed to increase the vehicle’s functionality in severe weather. A.R.E. also retrofitted the DCU truck cap with side toolboxes to fit Samaras’ smaller probes and customized it to accommodate a 1,500-lb. Tommy Gate Lift Gate on the rear of the truck. Footage from the A.R.E. Twistex Probe on tornado-chasing missions will be featured in Season 4 of “Storm Chasers,” which premieres this fall on Discovery Channel. A.R.E., Massillon, OH; 330/830-7800.
Northwood University has selected Brandon Postema as the chair and James Hannah as vice chair for the Northwood University International Auto Show (NUIAS). The 47th NUIAS, hosted by students of the university, is set for October 15–17, at the school’s campus in Midland, Michigan. The theme for this year’s show is “Electrify the Drive: Sparking a Global Revolution.” More information is available at www.northwood.edu/autoshow. Northwood University, Midland, MI.
JR Motorsports founder Everett Sather has announced that the company was sold to Brock and Kristin Rude. Brock Rude, a 28-year veteran of the automotive aftermarket, is the company’s new president and CEO, and he will oversee the day-to-day operation of the company’s locations in Ankeny and Boone, Iowa. Kristin Rude will assist in those capacities.
U.S. Auto Parts has signed a definitive stock purchase agreement to acquire Whitney Automotive Group for the purchase price of $27.5 million and assumption of approximately $11 million in trade-related and other payables. Whitney Automotive Group is expected to have $110–$120 million in revenues under U.S. Auto Parts ownership in 2010. Whitney Automotive Group owns a $10 million state-of-the-art distribution center located in Illinois, which holds approximately $15 million of owned inventory and was custom-built for B2C distribution of auto parts. The acquisition would allow U.S. Auto Parts to complete a three-distribution center network. U.S. Auto Parts expects the integration of the companies to be completed in 2011. U.S. Auto Parts, Carson, CA; 310/719-8666.
Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. added Bert Butler and Kenny Frederick to the company’s sales team. Butler has more than 20 years of sales and marketing experience in the tire industry. He is responsible for sales efforts in the District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia. Frederick, who has been in the tire industry for 23 years, resides in Houston and is responsible for customers in South Texas. Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp., 714/236-2080.
Roush Yates Performance Products announced a partnership with valvetrain component manufacturer Del West, making Roush Yates Performance Products the sole distributor of Del West products to all markets in the United States. Roush Yates will use Del West components in the engines built at the facilities in Mooresville, North Carolina, and will sell the products from its Roush Yates Performance Products store. Roush Yates Performance Products, Mooresville, NC; 704/662-6982.
The 1in8 Motorsports Foundation of Cary, North Carolina, hired Penelope Lepisto as administrative director. Lepisto’s main responsibility is to hire event planners nationally and internationally to develop and execute events that raise money and awareness for the importance of early cancer detection.
Prestolite Performance, manufacturer of brands including Lakewood, Mr. Gasket, Hays, Accel and Mallory, has acquired the business of QuickTime Inc., a leading manufacturer of lightweight bellhousings and racing accessories. QuickTime’s manufacturing and research and development will continue to be based in its current headquarters of Oskaloosa, Iowa, while sales, service and administration will integrate and transfer to Prestolite Performance’s Cleveland headquarters by the end of the year. Prestolite Performance, Cleveland, OH; 216/688-8300.
The Atturo Tire Corp. has entered an exclusive distribution agreement with RC Comercio for Atturo’s UHP brand. RC Comercio is now doing business as Atturo Pneus Brazil. According to Atturo, Brazil as a key market for the company and will serve as a regional indicator for the brand’s potential in South and Central America. Atturo Tire Corp., Bland, MO; 573/943-6947.
Mobileye Inc. has signed a retail distribution agreement with Car Toys through which Mobileye’s aftermarket accident-avoidance systems will be made available for purchase through the retailer’s fleet distribution channel as well as its 51 locations in metropolitan areas across the western United States. Mobileye Inc., Southfield, MI; 248/351-2683.
Rick Carey has joined Sports Car Digest as auction editor. He will provide overall market insight and pre- and post-auction reports with perspective gained from nearly two decades of following the collector-car market. Carey is one of the first people to report on the collector-car market, and he has one of the largest databases of auction transactions. He has contributed to AutoWeek and Classic & Sports Car and is a member of the International Motor Press Association and the Society of Automotive Historians. Sports Car Digest, Charlotte, NC; 704/469-6352.
On October 1, 2010, the Investech Audio Group will relaunch the Audiobahn brand in the mobile electronics industry. The company stated that products sold under the Audiobahn brand will include amplifiers, subwoofers, tweeters, speakers, capacitors, processors, enclosures and more, and the return to the market will be accompanied by newly revamped products and special promotions. To celebrate the re-launch, Audiobahn announced a pre-launch website, which counts down to the official launch on October 1.
Hurst Performance has added the Hurst Garage to its headquarters in Southern California. The new addition will offer tailored customization options installed by Hurst Garage technicians to current-model Camaro, Mustang and Challenger owners. The same Hurst technicians who design, test and build the limited-edition Performance Series vehicles are responsible for the work done at the Hurst Garage. More information is available on the Hurst Performance website. Hurst Performance, Irvine, CA; 949/261-5500.
Motorz TV has announced that the Sears Blue Tool Crew will be the exclusive provider of tools that host Chris Duke will use, review and discuss on the show and online. In July, the company began a giveaway from the Sears Blue Tool Crew at the Motorz TV website.
Intro-Tech Automotive Inc. recently partnered with Direct Communications Inc. (DCi) to provide the entire Intro-tech offering through DCi’s All-Channels electronic cataloging service. The electronic catalog is now available in a variety of electronic catalog formats (including AAIA Industry Standard formats of ACES and PIES) and is also available to 7,000-plus jobbers through DCi’s CatalogRack.com service. Intro-Tech Automotive Inc., Chino, CA; 714/635-3007. DCi, Des Moines, IA; 515/276-0442.
