SEMA News—August 2019
INDUSTRY NEWS
 Hunter Engineering announced a new integration partnership with Dealer-FX and its ONE Platform service experience. |
Hunter Engineering Announces Inspection Integration With Dealer-FX
Hunter Engineering announced a new integration partnership with Dealer-FX and its ONE Platform service experience. A service dashboard that provides control over dealership workflow and creates a more consistent process, ONE Platform is now compatible with Hunter inspection equipment, including Quick Check Drive, Quick Check and Quick Tread systems. The integration will reportedly give dealerships the opportunity to maximize service profits through alignment, tire and balancing sales while completing customer transparency through easy-to-understand reports.
 American consumers spent more than ever modifying their vehicles, pushing retail spending on specialty-equipment parts to $44.6 billion. |
Specialty-Equipment Retail Sales Hit New High of $44.6 Billion
Overall, 2018 proved to be a year of strength, resilience and growth for the automotive specialty-equipment industry. American consumers spent more than ever modifying their vehicles, pushing retail spending on specialty-equipment parts to $44.6 billion. SEMA projects that growth to continue in 2019, despite ongoing trade uncertainty. To learn more about the size and shape of the specialty-equipment market, download the new “2019 SEMA Market Report” from the SEMA website at www.sema.org.
Some insights from the report include:
- 27% of all dollars were spent upgrading and modifying pickups.
- 59% of specialty-equipment part sales are made in-store.
- A third of accessorizers are under the age of 30.
- More than 59 million passenger vehicles changed hands in 2018.
The “2019 SEMA Market Report” provides a comprehensive look at how the products sold by association companies are purchased and installed. It also contains information on parts buyers, key industry trends and forecasts, economic indicators and insights into the vehicles currently on the road.
 Battery-Biz will launch an all-new line of Red Cross-branded roadside emergency kits and related accessories. |
Battery-Biz Enters Brand Licensing Agreement With American Red Cross
Battery-Biz announced that it entered into a brand licensing agreement with the American Red Cross. Battery-Biz will launch an all-new line of Red Cross-branded roadside emergency kits and related accessories. The collection starts shipping this summer.
Under the agreement, Battery-Biz will have the right to sell Red Cross-branded roadside safety kits and related products through all major retail channels in the United States. First-aid components of Battery-Biz’ roadside emergency kits will be held to exacting specifications that are established by a panel comprised of doctors, volunteers and emergency preparedness experts who are appointed by the Red Cross. The initial assortment will include eight SKUs ranging in MSRP from $9.99 to $49.99. More product-specific details will be disclosed closer to the official launch this summer.
 SEMA’s Young Executives Network partnered with the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts to build a new Honda Talon UTV. |
Young Executives Network Forms UTV Build Partnership With Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts
SEMA’s Young Executives Network (YEN) officially announced a UTV build partnership with the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts (AXC). YEN leadership and SEMA staff met with AXC instructor Barney Harris and founder of the program Brian Suggs during a mock measuring session on the brand-new Honda Talon UTV build at the AXC garage in Pomona, California. Students and the instructor gave a tour of their workshop, where every tool was in its place, floors were clean and fun projects awaited the students.
The faculty and administration work hard to create a challenging atmosphere that will prepare students for futures in the automotive industry, but the influence goes beyond the hands-on work in the garage. Students are expected to successfully complete “prework” aimed to instill responsibility, punctuality and team building before starting work in the garage.
For updates, visit www.sema.org/utv-build.
