August 1, 2008
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Five people have joined the 2008-2009 SEMA Board of Directors following its recent election. The new members in the manufacturer category are Ron Funfar of Hedman Hedders/Trans-Dapt, BJ Leanse of Big Country Truck Accessories, and Tim Watts of Superlift Suspension Systems.
August 1, 2008
By:
Nguyet Le Thomas
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Yep, there's the issue of spiking gas prices, the highest national unemployment rate since December 2003, the mortgage industry's nearly bottoming out hole, global warming effects, and, lest we forget, we're still in the midst of a $600 billion-and-rising war and it's an election year. If I wasn't sanguine—an optimist—I'd consider kicking my own bucket before it was kicked for me.
August 1, 2008
By:
Mike Magda
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There's an enduring business adage: never throw away a business card. Tony Quezada, founder of Volant Cool Air Intakes, found an unsolicited business card at his SEMA Show booth one year. His company was enjoying strong growth based on the success of a patented series of air intakes for truck-based applications. But his product relied on a traditional filter media that was slowly losing favor with discriminating enthusiasts. That business card eventually led to an exclusive partnership that is helping Volant improve and broaden its product line. In fact, this collaborative technology can be used in products made by Volant's competitors.
August 1, 2008
By:
Michæl Imlay
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Next time a commercial interrupts your favorite TV program, don't head for the refrigerator. Watch. Chances are you'll notice a not-so-subtle climate change in advertising: Corporate America is turning green.
August 1, 2008
By:
Mike Anson
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In general, racecar drivers are known for their driving abilities and for knowing what should go into a high-performance product, but they don't necessarily have the business talent to make it happen and run a company. Just look at Mario Andretti and Ivan "Ironman" Stewart who promote MagnaFlow's line of high-performance exhaust systems but don't operate the company. It's rare when the racecar driver turns out to be a businessman as well. Sometimes, the businessman becomes a racecar driver, as in the case of Alex Xydias of the So Cal Speed Shop (founded back in 1946 and still going strong today) or Andy Granatelli of STP and Indy 500 fame. In some cases, the racecar driver becomes a successful businessman. R.K. Smith is one of these.
August 1, 2008
By:
Chad Simon
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There's no denying it, specialty parts sales are down. You don't have to look far to see the domino effect of high gas prices and decreasing new vehicle sales on the general automotive aftermarket.
August 1, 2008
By:
Nguyet Le Thomas
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There is no other sport like auto racing that provides the corporate sponsor with so many different ways to merchandise and market its racing association. Whether they're supplying a single driver with product or sponsoring an entire race series, everybody from retail chains and automakers to energy drink suppliers and tire manufacturers is betting that what's seen on the racetrack will pay off for their bottom line.
August 1, 2008
By:
Dick De Loach
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To most enthusiasts, few aspects of a classic car or truck restoration are more satisfying than returning a worn-out interior to its original glory. After all, people spend most of their time enjoying their rides from the inside if they're driven on even a semi-regular basis. So an immaculate interior is an important part of any restoration.
August 1, 2008
By:
Chris Frederick
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The most interesting thing about sales is that most people believe they are an expert or a guru. After spending 35 years of my life in sales, I believe some days you are much better at it than others. During the past decade, I have trained more than 11,000 service managers in the art of relationship-based selling.
