The following links represent the Hot Rod Industry Alliance’s (HRIA) new, re-elected and returning select committee members. HRIA is a SEMA council dedicated to the prosperity of the businesses with the hot rod industry. For more information on HRIA, visit www.sema.org/hria or contact Jan Desma at...

The world automotive electrical products market is projected to grow at a compounded annual rate (CAR) of 3.9% during the analysis period 2001–2010 and reach about $52 billion by 2010, according to Global Industry Analysts. According to the company’s latest report on the automotive market, Europe...

As consumers become more realistic about the fuel-efficiency capabilities of hybrid vehicles, the percentage of new-vehicle shoppers who are considering a hybrid has declined, according to recently released J.D. Power and Associates' 2007 Alternative Powertrain Study. Their study examines the...

Team Toyota’s Denso-backed SARD Supra HV-R scored an impressive victory at the Tokachi 24-hour endurance race in Japan on July 15 and 16. News has already started circulating about the achievement as this feat marks the first time a hybrid car has won such a contest. Even more notable was the...

Mobile consumers are quickly moving beyond traditional surprise-and-delight automotive features and asking themselves, “Why aren’t cars better equipped to accommodate today’s mobile technology?” A recent article by Rob Tregenza, vice president of consumer strategist, transportation/travel/leisure...

General Motors recently announced that it has reached a joint venture agreement with Penske Corporation to purchase 50% equity of VM Motori S.p.A, a designer and manufacturer of diesel engines based in Cento, Italy. This investment builds on GM’s existing relationship with VM Motori, GM’s diesel...

Kelley Blue Book recently revealed the most-researched new cars on its website during the first half of 2007. Information was collected among more than 70 million unique visitors to www.kbb.com. Consumers typically turn to Internet sites to research products, in this case new cars, prior to making...

Forecasting the demand of specialty-equipment parts and accessories provides an invaluable tool for strategic market planners and helps answer one ongoing question: How will industry sales do in the coming months? To help answer this question, SEMA commissioned the market-research firm TechnoMetrica...

The 2008 Cadillac CTS will launch in late-August with a higher level of technology, luxury and performance, says Cadillac. With many new standard features and a long list of new options, the automaker notes that the all-new 2008 CTS, Cadillac’s most affordable product, also delivers compelling value...

Scion recently announced manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) for its all-new 2008 xD. xD models with a manual transmission will have an MSRP of $14,550, while models with an automatic transmission will be $15,350. The xD will reach Scion dealers in early August.