The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW) in Las Vegas must be the largest and certainly the most vibrant of all aftermarket events. It is a coming together of a variety of automotive trade shows that were once spread across the United States. As such it tends to reflect the varying healths of the different sectors and, in recent years, it has been the performance oriented SEMA Show that has buzzed more than the conventional replacement parts exhibition, AAPEX. Ian Wagstaff reports.
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In addition to the two main components, held in the separate Sands and Las Vegas convention centres and served by a shuttle bus service, there were a number of other aspects, notably a renamed Tire Industry Association “performance tyres and wheels” section, at which Yokohama and Cooper revealed new product lines and Hankook introduced to North America the new corporate identity that it launched in Birmingham earlier in the year.
This November, for the first time, a crash repair element was added to the Industry Week’s events necessitating a third venue at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Increased international attendance and an overall stronger presence were given as the reasons for the fact that the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) had moved to Las Vegas to be part of the AAIW. The Automotive Service Association sponsored event, unlike the other shows, extended on to the Saturday in order to attract those perhaps more interested in SEMA and AAPEX.
Other elements of the week included the 52nd Annual Convention & Trade Show of NARSA (National Automotive Radiator Service Association). Such is the US aftermarket that there seems to be associations and media associated with every bit of the car. There also seem to be awards for virtually every luminary in the business. However, congratulations really must go to Jim Cozzie, vice president of sales at the dynamic Californian performance products manufacturer B&M for becoming SEMA’s Person of the Year.
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SEMA |
SEMA (Speciality Equipment Market Association) claimed, in terms of numbers, the most successful event in its 38-year history with, at the time of writing, an attendance expected to top the 2003 figure of 105,000 industry professionals. According to Christopher Kersting, SEMA president and CEO, early analysis of the show suggests “a significant increase in buyer participation.” This was despite the comment from leading UK retailer John Minshaw of Demon Tweeks that there is now nothing new to be found at such events. With over 2,000 companies to visit there were first time visitors such as Revolution Motorstores of Gateshead’s Keith Tyler and Glenn Campbell who disagreed. Around 1,100 products were said to be have been premiered at the show so perhaps they were right, although even SEMA talks about re-inventing the wheel.
Martyn Pearson from distributor GP Automotive reported that he was visiting the show to see at first hand some of the new products his company is about to introduce to the UK, although he echoed Minshaw in that there was “not a great deal from last year.” Included was the Oktane multi-coloured (including a ‘carbon’ look) range of wiper blades that Trico has just launched in the USA and which are aimed at the ‘performance’ market. GP Automotive intends bringing it to Britain in the January or February. Calls by Pearson to the Tenneco-Walker stand also reflected the fact that GP Automotive is likely to become a UK distributor for the group’s new DNX brand of performance shock absorbers, exhausts and other products.
The AAIA (Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association) and MEMA (Motor & Equipment Manufacturer Association) show, AAPEX was, as has been the case for the last few years, quieter, suggesting there really is little new to learn about replacement parts. It has also been pointed out that the North American aftermarket grew at only three per cent in 2003, its slowest rate in the past few years according to the AAIA.
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Jaguar bonspeed |
However, the association has predicted higher levels of growth in the next couple of years. There were those that were already doing well. Englishman, Mike Howarth, senior vice president for KYB reported that aftermarket sales of Kayaba shock absorbers had risen from five to 12 per cent in the two years that has been in the USA. Kayaba is now dealing with over half the major programme groups there and has gone from being a niche import specialist to a full line competitor with Monroe. The thought that ArvinMeritor is trying to sell off its aftermarket division must also be a bonus for the Japanese-owned damper manufacturer.
AAPEX had been given something of a face lift this year with such as colour-coded aisles and increased signage introduced to help overcome the visual overload that one experiences at these shows.
The vehicle manufacturers take SEMA seriously as a way to show their commitment to accessory and performance enhancement friendly cars. Many bring concept cars to illustrate this. Jaguar, for example, had teamed up with Californian speed and design studio, bonspeed®, to create a new range of body styling, suspension and braking equipment for the X-type.
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Ford was featured manufacturer |
If there was a trend this year it was that the American “muscle car” is back with aftermarket products to match. As far as the US market is concerned muscle cars and the aftermarket are a natural fit. Ford was the featured manufacturer and its 2005 Mustang the featured vehicle. It was claimed that exhibitors had brought along “hundreds” of compatible aftermarket parts and accessories for the car. Ford itself previewed 15 newly accessorised Mustangs.
Another part of the Ford empire, albeit one that is currently for sale (most likely to the American multi-millionaire Kevin Kalkhoven), illustrated the appeal of the US aftermarket even for a company supposedly dedicated to motor sport. Cosworth Racing reckoned its stand to be busier than ever this year. Of particular interest was the fact that the company has now launched into the road-going market with its new d-Power range of performance upgrades for the Ford Duratec engine.
General Motors was said it was “revving up its commitment to meet customers’ desires for increased personalisation.” It brought nearly 40 vehicles to the show including a creation – based on the 1966 Oldsmobile Tornado – for US television personality Jay Leno that was equipped with aftermarket components under consideration by GM Performance Parts.
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Leno engine |
In a “happening” as large as the AAIW one highlights new product at the risk of serious omission. However, SEMA assists with a series of New Product Showcase Awards that this year included Tenneco’s SuperDuty 2005 Suspension System, Aeromotive’s Carburettor Float Bowl Sensor, Hypertech’s Onboard Diagnostic Programme, Street Scene Equipment’s Luminescent Gauge Pod.
Elsewhere, in the AAPEX halls Bosch was introducing a comprehensive line of premium replacement fuel pumps and the Autolite brand, these days part of he Honeywell Consumer Products Group, was launching its XP Xtreme Performance spark plug with a 0.6 mm finewire design. Autolite was also marking its entry into the lighting market with a new seatbelt light, SpotGlo and a dual-purpose light source, TriGlo for both car and home.
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Italian interest on Koni |
Among the lubricants suppliers, Quaker State was launching Q, a new line of synthetic engine oils, while stable-mate Pennzoil was describing its new 0W-20 Pennzoil Platinum as the first oil in the USA to be designed specifically for hybrid vehicles. Around 50,000 hybrids have now been sold in North America, a figure that is expected to rise to 412,000 by 2008. Because of the harsh stop-and-go conditions created by hybrids’ engines an oil is required that can combat the deposits likely to form as a result.
Visteon was showcasing its involvement with the NASCAR licensing programme, a highly successful aftermarket scheme run by the US’s most popular motor racing series, not to mention fastest growing sport, with its ‘performance’ windscreens and radiators. NASCAR itself again showed its allegiance to its aftermarket programme by having a stand not in the performance orientated SEMA but at road-going AAPEX. Another of the world’s top four component suppliers, Delphi is also involved with NASCAR, in this case as a sponsor. Although it has reduced its involvement with Hendrick Motorsports this year, it indicated on its stand that it will continue as a secondary sponsor for the team during 2005.
There is no escaping the influence of NASCAR at these shows. However, among the racing cars on display there seemed to be a dearth of open-wheel racers this year. Virtually everything appeared to have a closed cockpit.
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Las Vegas |
ACDelco was another highlighting an aftermarket programme, this being it new vehicle service contract (VSC) marketed through used car dealers to protect buyers from unexpected repair costs. One dealer Mark Lykke of Johnston Automotive described the programme as a “business tool that strengthens ACDelco’s supply chain.”
From conventional car servicing to pure racing, the AAIW can be what you want it. Once again, there was enough of it to ensure that the visitor could enjoy plenty of whatever sector most interested him. This year there was a certain election going on outside during the first day. The rest of the world may have been awaiting the outcome with concern but there seemed little interest inside the AAPEX and SEMA Shows. There was just too much to take in.
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