International Auto Salons Open Car Show Registration

DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (Feb. 9, 2004) -- Automotive enthusiasts who want to showcase their vehicles at SEMA’s 2004 International Auto Salons in Los Angeles and Atlantic City this spring may submit their car’s “credentials” now.

“Our International Auto Salons in Los Angeles and Atlantic City will present the ‘best of the best’ when it comes to modified vehicles,” Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of marketing and communications, said.

“At IAS, car owners can’t show up with their vehicles and the car-competition entry fee and expect to get a space on our show floor like they do in many other shows. There’s no guarantee – IAS will have an elite selection that we will set long before the shows open. We will display the cream of the crop, the best of the best, on both coasts.”

MacGillivray said that the SEMA IAS panel of experts will pre-qualify cars and trucks to appear in the competitions on the weekends of April 2-4 (Los Angeles) and May 21-23 (Atlantic City). “Our array of vehicles will include models that appeal to the youth vehicle market – from slammed compact performance sedans to ultimate urban vehicles.” MacGillivray said that he expects the vehicles will come from all origins – Japanese, domestic, and European makers.

The application form online at www.SEMAias.com requests information about make and model; interior, exterior, and performance modifications; sponsorship (if pertinent), and a photo of the vehicle. When a vehicle is accepted for display, the owner’s credit card will be charged the $75 entry fee. A vehicle accepted for both shows will pay two entry fees.

Deadline for IAS-Los Angeles car show applications is Monday, March 15, and for IAS-Atlantic City Friday, April 16. Complete information about SEMA’s International Auto Salons is available at www.SEMAias.com.

SEMA organized the first International Auto Salon in 1998. IAS is the only SEMA show open to consumers as well as the automotive industry’s professionals. The Los Angeles International Auto Salon in the Los Angeles Convention Center will be open to media and industry professionals only on Friday, April 2, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday, April 3, from 10 a.m. until noon. Consumers will attend, along with industry professionals, from noon Saturday until 8 p.m., and on Sunday, April 4, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Atlantic City International Auto Salon in the Atlantic City Convention Center will follow the same schedule: industry and media day Friday, May 21, and Saturday morning, May 22, and consumer/industry attendees from noon until 8 p.m. Saturday and again on Sunday, May 23, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration and additional information about the two International Auto Salons, including educational programs and auxiliary events, is available at www.SEMAias.com.

SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, represents the $27 billion specialty automotive industry. Founded in 1963, the trade association has 5,222 member companies. It is the authoritative source of research data, trends and market growth information for automakers and the specialty auto products industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger cars, minivans, trucks, SUVs and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA, 91765-3914; call 909/396-0289; or visit www.sema.org or www.enjoythedrive.com.

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Image available at www.sema.org/images/32354.jpg

CAPTION: Automotive enthusiasts who want to showcase their vehicles at SEMA’s 2004 International Auto Salons in Los Angeles and Atlantic City this spring may submit their car’s “credentials” now to www.SEMAias.com.