Industry Celebrates American Muscle at the 40th Annual SEMA Show

NEW YORK--April 12, 2006--Three of the American automotive industry's giants will shine at the 2006 SEMA Show, simultaneously celebrating the continuation of their musclecar heritage and the SEMA Show's 40th anniversary. Just as several automakers have chosen the world-famous Las Vegas event for the major introductions of new and specialty vehicles, the trio of Detroit icons is sure to produce automotive headlines with dazzling displays, educational programs and the unveiling of future vehicle and performance products as they share the title of Vehicle Manufacturers of the Show.

The three automakers represent not only a storied performance legacy but also the very roots of the specialty-equipment industry. "The Mustang, Camaro and Challenger helped bring many of our industry's earliest businesses into being," said SEMA President and CEO Christopher J. Kersting. "The current production and concept versions of those fabled cars are now kindling similar passion in a new generation of auto enthusiasts and are once again providing opportunities for our member companies." Project vehicles celebrating these high-performance street machines are expected to be featured throughout the Show floor in November.

Over the course of the last four decades, SEMA has enjoyed an increasingly close association with the world's automakers. The three Detroit companies have been especially dynamic in their alliance with the association's member companies. Through programs such as the Roundtable Tech Talks, Measuring Sessions, Technology Transfer and Project Vehicles, the OEMs have strengthened their relationships with SEMA-member companies. "Mainstream consumers are increasingly adding to the functionality and styling of their brand-new cars and trucks with SEMA-member products," said Carl Sheffer, SEMA vice president for OE Relations. "We work throughout the year to encourage the OEMs to share their plans and technology where they can so that accessories from our industry are already available when a new vehicle hits the showroom floor."

The 2006 Show will feature exhibits from the largest contingent of automakers in its history, with 14 OEMs now participating. The Show has also attracted more and more car dealers in the last five years, attesting to their recognition that specialty equipment means additional sales in the showroom. There has been a five-fold increase in dealer attendance since the 2001 Show.

"The idea of collaboration is particularly appropriate this year, the 40th anniversary of the SEMA Show," noted Kersting. "Our roots and our heritage have evolved with the musclecars of today, so it is fitting that we're celebrating our past while working with OEMs that are looking to the future. They share the passion that our member companies have built their businesses on, so it's a very good fit."

At the SEMA Show, 2,000 specialty-equipment and new-vehicle manufacturers gather to unveil trends and technology. It is one of the few places where the past and the future come to such a telling convergence, and it will be even further enhanced this year with the cooperative efforts of DaimlerChrysler, Ford and General Motors as Vehicle Manufacturers of the Show.

The 2006 SEMA Show takes place Oct. 31, 2005 to Nov. 3, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Las Vegas Convention Center. For more information, visit www.semashow.com.

SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents the $32 billion specialty automotive industry of 6,466 member-companies. It is the authoritative source for research, data, trends and market growth information for automakers and the specialty auto parts industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and recreational vehicles. For more information contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765: call 909/396-0289; or visit www.sema.org and www.enjoythedrive.com.