SEMA International New Products Award: International Media Jury Selects 'Best' New Products; Germany's Vestische Mediengruppe Welke Votes

LAS VEGAS--Nov. 4, 2005--Recognizing the increasingly global appeal of specialty automotive style and performance equipment, SEMA presented select member companies with its first-ever International New Products Award. The award ceremony was held at the 2005 SEMA Show and attracted hundreds of international buyers, U.S. Department of Commerce officials, SEMA-member company representatives and the press. Winners were selected by a prestigious jury comprised of leading international journalists.

The voting panel reviewed over 1,000 new style and performance products introduced at the SEMA Show. From these, each journalist selected ten products as their new product award nominations. "Our goal was to have media experts from around the world determine which new products are likely to succeed in their home markets. Editors from Australia and New Zealand were joined by French, Greek, British, and South African journalists. Their selections became the International New Product Awards," said Linda Spencer, director international and government relations.

In total, 115 companies were honored. Winners ranged from advanced ignition systems to sophisticated in-vehicle navigation systems, a portable barbecue perfect for automotive getaways, and builders of replica car chassis and body parts.

Germany's Vestische Mediengruppe Welke Publishing selected as its award winners:

-- Chassistech, Plug n' Play Air Management System

-- Infinity Products, Process for Printing on Plastics

-- JIC USA, Euro Performance Project Porsche 996 GT# Full Titanium Exhaust

-- Meguiar's Inc., Hot Rims Chrome Wheel Cleaner

-- Meguiar's, Inc., Hot Shine(TM) Tire Foam

-- Modernistic Inc., Low Pro Ultra Thin Graphic System

-- MSD Ignition, MSD Lazer Gauges

-- Precision Grilles, Cool Covers Speaker Cover

-- Proform, No Mess Funnel

-- Viaworld Advanced Products, Inc., Power SideKick Automobile Care System

"SEMA's International New Products Award reflects the niche market segments our member companies have helped establish. The inaugural Award represents SEMA's latest initiative to recognize the innovation, creativity and drive of our member companies. These awards confirm the specialty equipment market has indeed - gone global," Spencer concluded.

SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents the $31 billion specialty automotive industry of 6,466 member-companies. It is the authoritative source for research, data, trends and market growth information for 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, tel: 909-396-0289 or visit www.sema.org and www.enjoythedrive.com.