---

SEMA Announces Trade Show Alliance in Australia

30 November 1999

SEMA Announces Trade Show Alliance in Australia

    DIAMOND BAR, Calif., Nov. 30 -- The Specialty Equipment
Market Association (SEMA), announced today an alliance with the Australian
Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) and Trade Fairs Australia to sponsor
the SEMA Performance and Technology Section at the Australian Automotive Trade
Fair, to be held in Melbourne, Australia, May 5-7, 2000.
    "This alliance is a strategic component of our goal to expand the
opportunities for SEMA-member companies across borders and into new markets,"
said SEMA President Charles R. Blum.  "The SEMA Performance and Technology
Section will allow our members to tap into the lucrative Pacific Rim market
and expand the scope of their businesses."
    The Australian Automotive Trade Fair, which alternates between Melbourne
and Sydney each year, is produced as a joint partnership between the AAAA and
Trade Fairs Australia.
    In addition to the Performance and Technology Section, SEMA will sponsor
the New Products Awards Breakfast, which recognizes the best innovations in
new products being introduced to the Pacific Rim market.
    SEMA's sponsorship of the SEMA Performance and Technology Section will
allow SEMA-member companies to exhibit their new parts and accessories to the
expanding Pacific Rim market, which has long been known for mirroring the
trends developed in the United States.
    Australia serves as a gateway to the larger Pacific Rim market, which
includes New Zealand and southeast Asia.  Australian consumers are known for
their passion for motorsports as well as their propensity to spend money
personalizing their vehicle.
    According to Vic Wood, SEMA Pacific Rim Regional Director, "It has always
been our intention to work closely with the AAAA and their staff in Australia.
They are the key aftermarket body in the region.  It is beneficial to all
sectors of the industry that SEMA and its members become more aggressive in
the Pacific Rim market.  We are looking forward to presenting an exciting and
informative SEMA Performance and Technology Section at the 2000 Australian
Automotive Trade Fair."
    "The AAAA is pleased to have SEMA participating in the upcoming Australian
Automotive Trade Fair to be held in Melbourne.  As well as providing
additional prestige to the trade fair, SEMA's involvement will provide the
Australian aftermarket with a greater range of products to choose from.  We
see SEMA's involvement as positive for the Australian aftermarket, the
distributors and the consumers.  The AAAA looks forward to developing an even
closer relationship with SEMA, something that will serve as a mutual benefit
to the members of both associations," commented AAAA Chief Executive Officer,
Kim Elliott.
    SEMA is a trade group comprised of more than 3,600 member companies that
make up the specialty automotive aftermarket industry.  The seven diverse
niches in which SEMA members specialize include light-truck, off-road, racing
and performance, street rod and restoration, and restyling.  All combined the
markets add up to $21.2 billion in retail business annually.