July 9-11  event brings leading automotive products suppliers in touch with Latin American buyers

DIAMOND BAR, Calif., (July 9, 2008) - SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, is seeing a growing interest in vehicle personalization from consumers in Mexico and Latin America. To meet this growing demand, SEMA organizes the Salon de SEMA, an area set aside at the PAACE Automechanika show taking place in Mexico City July 9-11.

Mexican buyers will be able to meet with many of the top specialty equipment manufacturers, and see what hot, new products are available to customize vehicles, while at PAACE Automechanika.

"For years now, SEMA has recognized Mexico as a growing market for the automotive specialty-equipment industry," said Linda Spencer, director of international relations. Spencer notes that sales of passenger vehicles - including new cars and light trucks, and used vehicles from the United States - have been strong. These models, which are similar to those sold in the United States, have resulted in an unprecedented demand for products from the United States.

Mexican buyers and distributors are optimistic as well. Twenty-seven top Mexican importers, distributors and retailers, participating in a recent survey, predicted that the $1.5 billion market for accessory and performance products will increase over the next five years.

There are an estimated 10 million passenger vehicles on the road with 13.3 vehicles per person (compared to 2.2 per person in the United States). While the U.S. and Canadian markets have reached near saturation levels, Mexicans are increasingly able to purchase their first vehicles - new or used -- with rising incomes and more available credit. These same positive factors, along with growing distribution channels, are making it possible for motorists to personalize these vehicles.

In addition to industry research and international assistance, SEMA organizes the automotive industry's premier accessories trade show, the SEMA Show, in Las Vegas, Nevada. This year's event takes place November 4-7. Buyers from throughout Mexico and Latin America are expected to attend both the Mexican-based PAACE Automechanika show and the SEMA Show this Fall. Last year, attendance at the SEMA Show from Mexico reached nearly 2,000, and almost 3,000 from Latin America.

"The SEMA Show consistently features more than 2,000 exhibitors and more 1,700 new products," said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA VP of events and communications. "This is the best place to discover what's new in the automotive industry - regardless of what country you are from."

The SEMA Show embraces international attendance by offering online registration at http://www.semashow.com/  in seven different languages. Also, international buyers are able to submit details about the products they are interested in, so that relevant exhibitors can connect with them through SEMA's International Trade Leads program.

The SEMA Show also features a Center for International Commerce (CIC). SEMA staff, representatives from the U S Department of Commerce, individuals from the US Embassy and interpreters, are available in the CIC, which also has conference rooms, Internet access, international phone service, fax, and e-mail service, 45 international specialty equipment magazines, and up-to-date international research reports. An electronic locator makes it even easier for buyers to locate the products they seek at the show.

The SEMA Show is certified by the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Buyer Program. Information about programs and services available to international visitors at the SEMA Show are available from Linda Spencer, 202/783-4032 or lindas@sema.org.

Produced by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), the SEMA Show is the premier automotive accessories trade event in the world. The event serves the $38.1 billion automotive specialty- equipment industry, which allows drivers to personalize and enhance their vehicle's appearance, performance, comfort, convenience, safety and fun. Details: http://www.semashow.com/ or http://www.sema.org/.