Compact Performance Vehicles to Grab the Spotlight at SEMA's 2002 International Auto Salon

DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (March 2002) - SEMA, the Specialty Equipment 
Market Association, has partnered with Vision Entertainment, creators 
of the popular Hot Import Nights and Import Revolution events, to 
produce the 2002 International Auto Salon (IAS). This high-excitement 
consumer and trade automotive show will feature the latest in tricked-
out, souped-up, and customized compact performance vehicles which are 
today's "hot rods." Held at the Long Beach Convention Center, Long 
Beach, Calif., IAS opens to the general public on Saturday, April 20 
from noon-8 p.m., and runs through Sunday, April 21 from 11 a.m.-6 
p.m. On Friday, April 19 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., IAS will be open only to 
members of the trade.

The three-day IAS extravaganza features more than 300 exciting 
displays of tuner, import and domestic compact performance vehicles, 
race cars and wild customs. Nearly 200 custom auto accessory companies 
will exhibit their latest products - all geared to the red-hot compact 
performance market. Everything from Honda Civics with extreme body 
kits to Mazda and Toyota vehicles equipped with superchargers, 
turbochargers and nitrous oxide will be on display.

Described as the "California version of the Tokyo Auto Salon," the 
event will feature top show cars from Tokyo as well as other JDM 
(Japanese domestic manufacturer). Celebrities - race drivers, models, 
and some of today's hottest DJs - will accent the show cars and trade 
exhibits.

The exhibitors at IAS will sell their products to show attendees. 
Attendees will be able to pack their cars and trucks with the latest 
gear and gadgets while surrounded by some of the world's most 
incredible, head-turning customs with their outrageous and ingenious 
paint schemes, high-performance engines and astonishing styling 
concepts.
 
A major show highlight will be the 2002 IAS Car Competition, in which 
many of the display cars will participate. Prizes for complete customs 
(wild category), tuned cars (performance category), dressed-up 
vehicles (mild category), minivans, wagons and SUVs will be awarded. 
SEMA will also coordinate a variety of seminar programs, including 
how-to demonstrations for consumers and business development 
discussion groups for professionals involved in the compact 
performance marketplace.

SEMA's new Sport Compact Council (SCC) will also host the first 
Compact Import Racing Forum, an informal discussion open to all 
attendees to support legal drag racing, on Saturday, April 20, from 2-
3:30 p.m.

IAS tickets are $10 for professionals in the specialty equipment 
industry who register before Friday, April 5, and $15 after early 
registration closes. Consumers may purchase a two-day pass for $25 or 
a one-day pass for $15 online at www.ias2k2.com.

SEMA represents the $25 billion specialty automotive industry. The 
trade association has more than 5,000 member companies. It is the 
authoritative source of research data, trends, and market growth 
information for automakers and the specialty auto products industry. 
The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience 
and technology products for passenger cars, minivans, trucks, SUVs and 
recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. 
Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, Calif., 91756-3914; call 909/396-0289; 
or visit www.sema.org or www.enjoythedrive.com