SEMA and VDAT Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Promote Awareness of Global Legislative and Regulatory Issues Facing the Automotive Aftermarket Industry

(From left to right) Bodo Buschmann, VDAT chairman, Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO and Hans-Joerg Koeninger, VDAT managing director sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote a future of increased cooperation between SEMA, VDAT and the associations' member companies.

WASHINGTON--Dec. 7, 2004--The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), based in Diamond Bar, Calif., and the Verband Deutscher Automobiltuner e.V. (VDAT), located in Duesseldorf, Germany, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote increased cooperation between their associations and member companies.

"Working more closely together with our friends at VDAT will greatly enhance the ability of the specialty equipment industry to grow on both continents," said Christopher J. Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. "It is essential that we join forces with our friends in Europe to be proactive regarding legislative and regulatory proposals which hamper the ability of consumers to personalize their vehicles."

Under the agreement, SEMA and VDAT will: 1) become members of each other's association; 2) exchange market and other information of mutual interest to members; 3) work together on legislative and regulatory developments affecting the industry in both markets; and 4) meet regularly to promote closer relations between organizations. In addition, SEMA will exhibit as part of the VDAT booth at the Essen Motor Show and VDAT will have a booth at the annual SEMA Show.

"I am very much looking forward to our cooperation with SEMA," said Hans-Joerg Koeninger, VDAT general manager. "We will work together with this powerful trade organization for uniform and clear regulations for the approval of tuning products."

SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents the $29 billion specialty automotive industry of 5,727 member companies. It is the authoritative source for 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 and recreational vehicles. For more information contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765-0910; call 909-396-0289; or visit www.sema.org.

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