Eco-Friendly Products to Showcase Environmental Achievements in the Specialty-Equipment Industry; SEMA Proves That Being Green Can Also Be Cool

DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (Aug. 28, 2008) - In recognition of the specialty-equipment industry's commitment to advancing green vehicle products and solutions, SEMA today announced plans to dedicate an exhibit at this year's SEMA Show to showcase those companies whose creativity and innovation in the development, deployment and marketing of the green technologies prove that being environmentally friendly can also be cool. The Making Green Cool Zone will be featured inside the South Hall (upper level) at the Las Vegas Convention Center, November 4 through 7, 2008.

Project vehicles, products and technologies to be featured in the Making Green Cool Zone can be entered for consideration from either exhibiting SEMA-member companies or non-exhibiting companies. The winners will be chosen by a select panel of qualified experts drawn from relevant automotive fields such as performance aftermarket, powertrain technology, automotive design, environmental sustainability, brand positioning and others.

The government is mandating higher mileage while consumers are demanding even better performance with increased mileage. "The SEMA industry recognizes that being green is no longer limited to specific segments of the market. The green performance revolution is well underway. Going green is no longer an option, nearly 85% Americans consider themselves environmentalists," said John Waraniak, SEMA's vice president of vehicle technology. "SEMA wants to demonstrate that bringing more environmentally responsible vehicle technologies and products to the marketplace doesn't mean that you have to sacrifice performance and the coolness factor."

The new generation of performance and clean diesels, advanced hybrid powertrains, extended range and pure electric vehicles represent blank canvases for the performance and specialty-equipment industry. Greening-up vehicles creates new and exciting business opportunities for SEMA members and the specialty-equipment industry. The technology being put into alternative powertrain vehicles is quite advanced; however, innovative SEMA-member companies will find ways to make new and existing vehicles go farther and faster with lighter wheels, tires with less rolling resistance, bearings and hubs with less friction, improved aerodynamics and more innovative ideas and products. Many of these green vehicle technologies will be discussed at the SEMA Vehicle Technology Briefing Seminar: "The Green Scene: Clean Diesels, Wild Hybrids and Muscle Electrics" being held on November 5th during the SEMA Show. Waraniak believes that, "This generation's moon shot program is green technology and the Making Green Cool Zone will leverage SEMA's performance heritage, as well as provide a glimpse of the future fusion of technology and cool".

To be eligible, vehicles, products and technologies must be aligned with one or more of the following categories:

o High-Performance and Green Mobility
o Current Powertrain Solutions
o Future Powertrain Solutions
o Vehicle Energy Management
o Mobile Electronics for Green Mobility
o Green Wheels Tires and Suspensions
o Fast Tracking 35 MPG
o Making Green Cool
o Marketing Green Solutions

For companies interested in entering, applicants are required to provide a press release that will fit on an 8 ½" x 11" sheet of paper. The press release should be 500 words or less. A copy of the press release will be distributed from the display area at the 2008 SEMA Show. Applications can be faxed to: 909/860-0184. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, September 19. To download a copy of the application form, click here. For questions regarding the Making Green Cool Zone, please email garyv@sema.org.

Some products displayed in SEMA's Making Green Cool Zone may not be commercially available, either still in development or in experimental stages. Such products may not have been subjected to any form of compliance testing, when required, for either fuel economy or emissions and would not be considered legal for sale or use.
 

About SEMA

Founded in 1963, SEMA represents the $38.1 billion automotive specialty-equipment industry and has 7,358 member-companies. It is the authoritative source for research, data, trends and market growth information for the automotive specialty-equipment industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765, tel: 909/396-0289, or visit www.sema.or or www.enjoythedrive.com.