SEMA News—September 2012
REQUIRED READING
Trade Publications Connect Dealers to SEMA Industry
Businesses are constantly looking for new markets and ways to expand. While the SEMA Show is best known for the thousands of new products that debut there, savvy industry professionals also use the Show to discover new trends and new markets.
Dealers are finding this to be particularly true. In fact, many trade publications are reporting on the potential profit available to dealers who operate accessory programs. The following are a few publications that have reported on the opportunity and how dealers can capitalize
on it.
![Lindsay Chappell shared information with Automotive News readers about the “$30 billion customizing business [that] is up for grabs.”](/files/attachments/sn_0912_RR_01_opt.jpg) Automotive News
Lindsay Chappell shared information with Automotive News readers about the “$30 billion customizing business [that] is up for grabs.” The July 2, 2012, article explained that, while not all dealers are convinced that accessory programs are beneficial to dealers, there are dealers that have proven that such programs can be profitable. As the article stated: “Some [dealers] are striking gold in the customizing market.”
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 Fixed Ops
Pick up just about any issue of Fixed Ops magazine, and you’ll find at least one article talking about the potential that an accessory program offers to dealers. Some articles highlight the potential profit; others focus on best practices for establishing a program. Either way, it’s difficult to read this magazine and not be convinced that an accessory program can result in huge profits.
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 Restyling
The company profiles in Restyling often highlight a person who started a small business and eventually grew it into one of the leading companies in the market. What’s great about this feature was that readers were able to leave with specific ideas about what they can do to become successful as well. The July 2012 feature on Midwest Muscle discussed how the company used the SEMA Show to connect with the industry. The company owners credited the 2004 Show for helping them to identify a new trend that grew their business. Since then, they continue to use the Show to learn about new trends and network with others.
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 Trucking Times
In the May/June issue of Trucking Times, Ellen McKoy’s coverage of the 2012 National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention and Expo noted that more exhibitors are seeking to educate dealers about their products as new-vehicle sales climb. The article explained that events, such as the NADA convention and the SEMA Show, are great for connecting with dealers. One restyler is quoted in the story saying, “I try to partner with one of my key vendors, the same way I do when I go to the SEMA Show…. When I go to their dealerships, I may not see them on a regular basis.”
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