The SEMA Education Institute's (SEI) newly released sales training course "Focus on the Customer: Introduction to Selling" is proving to be an effective tool for increasing sales skills for both new and veteran retailers alike."One of our goals is to become a training partner with our SEMA members"...

Brenda Priddy says that after a long stakeout ("on a public street, of course") outside a top-secret Toyota facility, her spy photographers caught a quick glimpse of Scion’s upcoming New York International Auto Show Concept. The ”super-compact” hatchback, named IQ (like Toyota’s version), will debut...

THI, the parent company of the Extang Corporation and TruXedo Inc., has acquired the assets of BedRug from Wise Industries Inc. North American soft-tonneau manufacturer THI was created as an investment vehicle of the private-equity firm Kinderhook Industries.

THE KING OF INDY?: Seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty announced he will team with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing to field an IndyCar Series entry for driver John Andretti in the 93rd Indianapolis 500. DROUGHT BREAKER: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points-leader Jeff Gordon ended a 47-race winless streak...

NEWS NUGGETS

John Sonnefeldt Heidt's Hot Rod & Muscle Car Parts named John Sonnefeldt as its director of sales and marketing.

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At last year's SEMA Pinewood Drag Race, former SEMA Chairman Mitch Williams won first place in the Modified class. This year, he will compete against SEMA Chairman Jim Cozzie for the Unlimited trophy.

As automakers and suppliers move toward increased collaboration with the SEMA market, members will want to be well positioned to develop and build on these partnerships. Designed for senior level executives in the automotive industry, the Automotive Customer Centricity Summit 2009 is a two-day event...

Dates and locations for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows and activities have been announced. Details are: SEMA Webinar, "Tough Times Bring Change: Learn How to Manage Moving Forward," April 9, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (PDT)