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PAACE Automechanika 2007: Not an Ordinary Trade Show

(Akron/Tire Review) Last week, many North American automotive aftermarket professionals – including myself – packed their bags for Mexico City and the annual PAACE Automechanika trade show. The show this year drew more than 550 exhibitors and 19,000 attendees.

In recent years, the show has become known as a place for U.S. companies to explore expansion plans into Mexico and South America. The show is sponsored Mexico’s Industria Nacional de Autopartes (INA) along with U.S. industry association heavyweights: the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), the Motor Equipment Manufacturer’s Association (MEMA), the Automotive Parts Rebuilder Association (APRA) and the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA).

Whether you are a first-time attendee or veteran of the show, PAACE Automechanika always manages to amaze and educate about this growing market. According to a 2005 study by the Mexican Ministry of Economy and the INA, the Mexican aftermarket employs more than half a million people at almost 40,000 automotive parts stores and more than 146,000 repair facilities.

24th July 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Trend to Accessorize Vehicles Going Strong

(Akron/Tire Review) American drivers continue to embrace the notion of customization and personalization, having purchased a record $36.72 billion worth of specialty automotive products in 2006. The number represents a 7 per cent increase over 2005, when sales reached $34.28 billion.

“Today’s consumer wants something unique and different,” said Jim Spoonhower, vice president of market research for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). “They’re buying vehicles that are dependable and reliable, but then they’re personalising those vehicles so that they look distinctive, perform differently, are more comfortable, convenient, safe or just more fun.”

21st June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

SEMA: Record Number of Manufacturers Expected at Show

(Akron/Tire Review) SEMA announced that a record numbers of manufacturers have requested priority space for the 2007 SEMA Show. The event, which takes place this year from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2 in Las Vegas, is expected to feature more than 2,000 manufacturers. A total of 1,835 companies participated in this year’s priority space selection process, which began in April and concluded in May. That is about 100 more than had participated in previous years, SEMA said.

“Never before have so many companies come to us so early in the year and committed to participating in the SEMA Show,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of marketing and communications. “These exhibitors will be bringing with them thousands and thousands of new products – all which will debut at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.”

Limited space is still available, and new manufacturers are continuing to sign up, according to SEMA. A complete list of SEMA Show exhibitors and floor plan can be found online at www.SEMAshow.com. The Web site also includes updates and information about the event, as well as an online registration form.

11th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

A New Breed of Customers Pushing the Limits

(Akron/Tire Review) Trying to stay up with automotive trends is a lot like keeping up with fashion. What’s hot today is soon in the rear-view mirror, left in the dust by the next cool thing.

From the hot rods to muscle cars and from tuners and the big SUV luxury crowd, one trend always gives way to the next big thing. And, while tuners and luxo-SUVs aren’t yet fading into the woodwork, a new breed of modifier is here, presenting new challenges to tyre dealers.

Called “VIP style,” this latest form of modification is not about speed or handling. It’s all about aesthetics. Think style and class, not flash.

23rd April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

SEMA Moves to Simplify Registration

(Akron/Tire Review) SEMA says it has smoothed the registration process for past SEMA Show attendees in an effort to make it easier for “prequalified professionals” to sign up and attend the 2007 SEMA Show, Oct. 30-Nov. 2, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Those who attended the SEMA Show in 2005 or 2006 will have a personalized “alumni number” that verifies their trade status. The alumni number correlates to information previously submitted to help avoids attendees having to re-submit business documents and fill out several forms.

“The SEMA Show is about connecting businesses and buyers,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of shows and marketing. “While we’re committed to ensuring that the show is restricted to legitimate trade professionals, and we’re also committed to making it as simple as possible for qualified attendees to register and get down to business.”

10th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Kumho Set to Offer 20-Series Tyre

(Akron/Tire Review) After creating buzz with its red-smoke-emitting tyre and aroma rubber, Kumho Tire USA Inc. is ready to launch another head-turner: a 20-series tyre. The prototype that Kumho Tire USA Inc. exhibited at last year’s SEMA Show is getting ready to hit the market as a special version of the company’s Ecsta SPT ultra-high performance tyre.

The 20-series tyre has been tested and is being prepared for production, Kumho stated. The tyremaker expects it to be available by January 2008 in a 375/20R21 size as well as a 275/30R19 version for the Dodge Viper, the Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06 and hot rods.

The 20-series SPT was developed by engineers at Kumho’s technical headquarters in Korea, led by manager D.J. Park. “This 20-series SPT will provide the emotional look that drivers want as well as the performance they demand,” said Rick Brennan, director of brand management. “We’ve pulled out all the stops to create a product that enthusiasts want but no one else is even trying to make.”

16th March 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

SEMA Adds Seminars to Spring Expo/Off-Road Show

(Akron/Tire Review) SEMA announced that it’s upcoming Spring Expo and Off-Road Show will be enhanced with the addition of several educational seminars geared to installers and retailers. Set for Mar. 23-24, 2007 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, the Spring Expo and Off-Road Show is open to all automotive retailers.

29th January 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Firestone Industrial Products Earns Award at SEMA Show

(Akron/Tire Review) At the 2006 SEMA Show, a panel of international journalists presented Firestone Industrial Products Co. (FSIP) with an International New Products Award for its new Air-Rite digital air command and Red Label air springs.

25th January 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Launches General Brand Winter Tyre

Continental Tire North America Inc. has released the first of an all-new winter tyre range under its General Tire brand. The range is known as Altimax and the initial tyre on offer, the Altimax Arctic, is being promoted as General Tire’s first true winter tyre.

22nd January 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

PCL Generates Interest at SEMA

Pneumatics Components Ltd (PCL) has generated a fair amount of global interest at the SEMA show, particularly from US companies. The Sheffield based designer, manufacturer and marketer of tyre inflation technology has benefited from an increased awareness of the importance in terms of safety and economic benefits of guaranteeing the accuracy of air pressure delivered to tyres.

16th January 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

The Xact Answer

Last year, IMI the maker of truck balancing powder, Equal, launched a product aimed at the passenger car market. XactBalance, distributed in the UK by Rema-Tip Top, is a new style of dynamic balancing weight and is aimed at premium level fitments.

14th December 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Successful in the Speciality Niche – Carlisle Tire & Wheel

If the share price of its parent company is anything to go by, speciality tyre specialist, Carlisle Tire & Wheel, is having a successful time of it in the growing niche segment. Between year-end 2005 and the close of trading on 31 October Carlisle Companies’ share price has increased 21 per cent from $69.15 to $83.69.

Carlisle used November’s SEMA show to highlight a number of new products within the ATV/Utility vehicle, ST Trailer and Industrial segments. And, further to this aim, the company’s new 2007 product catalogue is available now. The company also dedicated a section of its booth to its growing Carlisle Certified Dealer (CCD) network.

29th November 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Kelly Brand Remains Strong, Goodyear Tells Dealers

(Akron/Tire Review) Despite rumours floating around the SEMA Show floor last week, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. says it remains fully committed to its Kelly-Springfield brand and Kelly dealers. Goodyear said any rumours to the contrary “are simply not true.” “Goodyear believes, as do its dealers, that the Kelly brand is a very strong and viable brand,” and that it “retains appeal with consumers, and is widely known in many regional markets and with our dealers.”

13th November 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Two SEMA Awards For Dunlop Direzza

(Akron/Tire Review) Goodyear’s Dunlop products took two top awards during the recent SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Dunlop’s Direzza Sport Z1 tyre received two SEMA International New Product Awards. In separate awards, Australia’s Hot 4s & Performance Cars magazine and Greece’s top enthusiast publisher Option Press also recognized the brand new Direzza Sport Z1 tyre. Developed and built in Japan for professional drifting, the Direzza Sport Z1 delivers high grip, excellent control and consistency, according to Dunlop. The tyre will be available in Spring 2007 in 17 sizes.

8th November 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Becomes the Exclusive Tyre for Carlsson

(Las Vegas/Tire Review) Carlsson in North America, the tuning line exclusively for Mercedes-Benz vehicles, will partner with Pirelli Tire North America in a deal that will put Pirelli-branded tyres on all Carlsson-tuned Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and SUVs. To commence this new relationship, Carlsson is displaying its new S550 and CL-Class tuned Mercedes with 21-inch Pirelli P Zero Nero tires at the SEMA Show. Jorge Latorre, President of GGI Carlsson North America, commented: “We are very proud to fit Carlsson with Pirelli tyres,” said Jorge Latorre, president of GGI Carlsson North America. “It only makes sense that Carlsson be fitted with the most distinctive, leading edge high performance tires in the world.”

7th November 2006/by Tyrepress Editors