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SEMA Show - ITE '99 Drives the Specialty Automotive World to Las Vegas

2 November 1999

SEMA Show - ITE '99 Drives the Specialty Automotive World to Las Vegas

    DIAMOND BAR, Calif., Nov. 2 -- Once again, 90,000 of the
biggest names in the specialty automotive world will descend upon Las Vegas
for the annual SEMA Show International Tire Expo (ITE), November 2 through 5.
SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, which represents the
$21.2 billion automotive specialty products industry, will host the trade-only
event, presenting today's cutting-edge innovations in more than 6,000 booths
that fill the Las Vegas Convention Center to overflow.  The 1999 SEMA Show -
ITE is held in conjunction with Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week, one of
the largest trade events in the world.
    "We are very bullish on the opportunities available for our corporate
members at this year's show.  Our industry's growth indicates that consumers
continue to strive to personalize their vehicles to their individual tastes,"
commented Charles R. Blum, president of SEMA.
    This year's show promises to deliver the latest innovations for specialty
and custom automotive products.  Many of the more than 1,400 exhibiting
companies, including the domestic and many import automobile manufacturers,
choose this venue to unveil their newest and hottest products and vehicles.
More than 800 new products will be on display at this year's show.
    The specialty equipment market is thriving and has experienced almost
10 percent growth over the past year, far outpacing the national average.
SEMA member companies employ more than three-quarters of a million workers,
who provide consumers with high-quality, safe and fun products for their
vehicles.

    SEMA is a trade group composed of more than 3,600 member companies that
make up the specialty automotive aftermarket industry.  These companies
manufacture, distribute and sell products and accessories for at least seven
diverse niches within the marketplace, including light trucks (typically
two-wheel-drive pickups, vans and SUVs), off-road (four-wheel-drive) vehicles,
racing and street performance vehicles, street rods, restored cars and trucks
and restyled vehicles.  The combined markets add up to $21.2 billion in retail
business annually.

    The International Tire Exposition is the annual trade show for the Tire
Association of North America, a 78-year-old Virginia-based trade group that
represents all sectors of the North American replacement tire market.  TANA
provides members with up-to-the-minute industry news, representation in
Washington, educational programs and much more to help strengthen the North
American replacement tire market.