Sport Compact Car Accessory Market Performs Well in 2001

SPORT COMPACT CAR ACCESSORY MARKET PERFORMS WELL IN 2001

LONG BEACH, Calif. (April 19, 2001) - The fast and furious growth of the compact 
car accessory market continued through 2001, according to research conducted by 
SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association.

SEMA, which has tracked this particular automotive aftermarket niche since 1997, 
reported retail-level product sales of $1.518 billion in 2001, a 25 percent 
increase from the previous year. "The compact performance market's growth curve 
was somewhat flatter last year," said SEMA vice president of research Jim 
Spoonhower. "However, our manufacturer members tell us they believe it was a one-
year slowdown, if 25 percent growth can be considered a slowdown. They predict 
that industry sales will resume their steep growth this year."

Spoonhower said that SEMA members who make product to customize and accessorize 
small, medium, and some sports cars see 2002 as a boom year with a potential 
growth of nearly 50% in sales over 2001. That would make the compact performance 
market more than $2.25 billion by the end of this year.

The compact performance market, which was brought to the general public's 
attention by last summer's release of the movie, THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS, 
consists of three major types of small car modification - exterior or appearance, 
engine, and interior (audio/electronic products, seating, and gauges). SEMA has 
conducted and published research not only upon the market's suppliers but also 
with the young people who are the market's customers.

Spoonhower presented the 2001 compact performance market study at the 2002 SEMA 
International Auto Salon in Long Beach, Calilf., being held this weekend. His 
complete presentation is available online at 
<www.sema.org/press/semacompactperformancemarketstudy>.